Supply Chain Buyer Planner

Purchasing & Supplier Management

• Create and manage purchase orders for electrical and mechanical components, including bus bars, circuit breakers, contactors, transformers, enclosures, cable assemblies, and switchgear components.
• Identify, evaluate, and support qualification of suppliers based on technical requirements, cost, quality, and delivery performance.
• Negotiate pricing, lead times, payment terms, and supplier agreements.
• Monitor supplier performance using metrics such as on-time delivery, quality performance, and lead time accuracy.
• Manage standard purchases, custom materials, blanket orders, and urgent sourcing needs.
• Identify supply risks, including long-lead items, sole-source components, and potential production impacts.

Material Planning & Inventory Control

• Use ERP/MRP systems to review demand, generate purchase requirements, and support production schedules.
• Maintain accurate planning data, including lead times, reorder points, safety stock, and minimum order quantities.
• Monitor inventory levels to support production needs while minimizing excess inventory.
• Resolve shortages, expedite critical materials, and communicate supply risks.
• Partner with production scheduling teams to align material availability with manufacturing requirements.
• Perform cycle counts, inventory reviews, and discrepancy resolution.

Cross-Functional Support

• Collaborate with Engineering on new product introductions (NPI), engineering change orders (ECOs), and bill of materials (BOM) accuracy.
• Work with Quality teams on supplier corrective actions (SCARs), non-conforming material (NCM) issues, and first-article inspections (FAIs).
• Coordinate with receiving and logistics teams to support inbound shipments and material flow.
• Provide supply updates and risk assessments to support customer delivery commitments.
• Participate in Sales, Inventory & Operations Planning (SIOP) meetings and production readiness reviews.

Reporting & Process Improvement

• Track supply chain metrics, including purchase price variance (PPV), supplier delivery performance, inventory turns, and shortage trends.
• Support cost reduction efforts through supplier improvement, sourcing initiatives, and total cost analysis.
• Improve procurement and planning processes through ERP optimization and data accuracy.
• Participate in Lean manufacturing and continuous improvement activities.

• Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Business, Operations Management, Engineering, or related field; equivalent experience considered.
• 3–5 years of experience in purchasing, material planning, or supply chain within a manufacturing environment.
• Experience sourcing electrical, electronic, or electromechanical components.
• Experience with ERP/MRP systems such as SAP, Oracle, Epicor, Infor, or similar.
• Understanding of MRP processes, demand planning, and manufacturing supply chain practices.
• Strong negotiation skills and experience improving supplier performance.
• Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings, BOMs, and technical specifications.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Excel, including pivot tables, VLOOKUP, and supply/demand analysis.
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities.

• Experience in power distribution, electrical equipment, switchgear, UPS, or critical power industries.
• Familiarity with:
  • Power Distribution Cabinets (PDCs)
  • Static Transfer Switches (STS)
  • Remote Power Panels (RPPs)
  • Panelboards
  • Medium/Low Voltage Switchgear
• APICS CPIM, CSCP, or ISM C.P.M./CPSM certification.
• Lean Six Sigma or continuous improvement experience.
• Knowledge of UL, ANSI, IEC, NEMA, and NEC standards related to electrical equipment.
• Experience with international suppliers, sourcing, customs, or import compliance.