What are the responsibilities and job description for the Buyer/Planner position at Marketlab?
Buyer/Planner
Job Description
ABOUT MARKETLAB
Marketlab is a market-leading healthcare solutions organization specializing in the design, manufacturing, and sourcing of private-label healthcare products. Our mission is to provide healthcare partners timely, practical solutions grounded in deep understanding of their work. Every day, we strive to positively impact the lives of the people who, in turn, support the health and wellness of our communities.
Based in Grand Rapids, Michigan, Marketlab’s success is built on collaboration, accountability, and operational excellence. Strong systems, clear data, and trusted partnerships are foundational to how we operate and scale.
THE OPPORTUNITY
The Buyer/Planner is the operational owner of the assigned portfolio of suppliers and SKUs. This role requires a balance of everyday inventory planning and purchasing execution. Managing a broad mix of products—including both domestic and select international accounts—the Buyer/Planner ensures healthy inventory levels, accurate system data, and timely supplier execution. This position has full accountability for their portfolio, navigating moderate challenges while engaging organizational and management support for more complex situations.
WHAT YOU’LL DO
- Act as the primary owner for all planning and purchasing tasks within an assigned portfolio of suppliers and SKUs, ensuring end-to-end execution of daily requirements. This role may procure from a mix of domestic and international suppliers.
- Review statistically generated ABC classifications and reorder points (ROPs), and analyze historical usage and forecasts to maintain healthy inventory levels.
- Issue, track, and manage both standard and dropship purchase orders (POs).
- Maintain accurate delivery dates in the system, expedite open orders, and chase late deliveries to protect customer service levels.
- Maintain the accuracy of operational planning and purchasing attributes within the ERP system, including lead times, ROPs, minimum order quantities (MOQs), and supplier contact information.
- Facilitate post-purchase support activities, including product returns-to-vendor (RTV), service, and replacement part ordering.
- Partner with Accounts Payable to investigate and resolve vendor invoice discrepancies.
- Facilitate the resolution of product quality non-conformance issues in adherence to quality management systems.
- Collaborate with Sourcing on monitoring of vendor performance and contract compliance, and to facilitate vendor lifecycle management.
WHAT YOU’LL NEED
- Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain, Business, or a related field, or equivalent professional experience.
- 2 to 5 years of experience in supply chain, purchasing, or inventory planning.
- Experience managing a high-SKU distribution environment is preferred.
- Experience with NetSuite or a similar ERP system.
- Proficiency with Google Suite and/or Microsoft Office.
- Strong time management, high attention to detail, and clear written and verbal communication skills.
COMPETENCIES
- Accountability & Ownership - Takes reliability seriously; manages daily tasks and data accuracy for their assigned portfolio without needing constant reminders.
- Problem Solving & Guidance Seeking - Efficiently resolves standard transactional blocks and knows when to flag systemic issues or complex international shipping delays to leadership for coaching.
- Collaborative Communication - Builds clear, professional relationships both verbally and in writing with external vendors and internal departments like Accounting, Product Management, and Sourcing.
- Data Integrity & Attention to Detail - Demonstrates a high standard of accuracy when managing a broad SKU and supplier portfolio; consistently ensures ERP purchasing attributes (lead times, ROPs, MOQs, etc) and transactional records are accurate and up to date.
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