Buyer

Job Title: Buyer/Planner

Location: Billerica, MA (On-site)

About the Company

Based in the Greater Boston area, we are a specialized, agile discrete manufacturing company pioneering resilient PNT (Positioning, Navigation, and Timing) technologies. We design and build high-power, low-frequency eLoran equipment. Our products ensure commercial, maritime, and defense clients have access to accurate positioning and timing when satellite signals are degraded, jammed, or unavailable.

Role Overview

The Buyer / Planner will be responsible for purchasing materials and components, planning production requirements, managing supplier relationships, and ensuring that the right materials are available when needed to support manufacturing schedules. This is a hands-on role that requires someone who is comfortable working in a small-company environment with limited ERP/MRP infrastructure. The successful candidate will be highly proficient in Excel and able to develop spreadsheets, reports, and analytical tools to manage purchasing, inventory, production requirements, and supplier performance.

Key Responsibilities

Purchasing & Supplier Management

• Purchase electronic, mechanical, electrical, and other manufacturing components and materials.
• Prepare and issue purchase orders and manage orders through delivery.
• Obtain quotes, evaluate pricing, lead times and terms, and negotiate with suppliers as appropriate.
• Monitor supplier performance, including delivery, quality, responsiveness, and pricing.
• Identify potential supply-chain risks and develop solutions before they impact production.
• Expedite materials and components when necessary to meet production requirements.
• Work with suppliers to resolve shortages, delays, discrepancies, and other purchasing issues.

Production Planning

• Translate production requirements into material requirements and purchasing plans.
• Review bills of material, inventory levels, open purchase orders, and production schedules to identify material needs.
• Develop and maintain purchasing and material-planning schedules.
• Ensure materials are available to support production without creating unnecessary excess inventory.
• Identify shortages and potential production constraints and communicate them to the appropriate team members.
• Coordinate closely with Engineering, Operations, Manufacturing, and Leadership regarding material requirements and changing priorities.
• Help establish and improve planning processes as the company grows.

Inventory & Data Management

• Track inventory commitments, incoming materials, shortages, and excess inventory.
• Analyze historical purchasing and usage data to improve forecasting and purchasing decisions.
• Create and maintain Excel-based tools and reports.
• Develop dashboards, trackers, and analytical models that provide visibility into purchasing, inventory, and production status.

Process Improvement

• Assist with implementation of the new ERP system.
• Identify gaps in current systems and develop efficient workarounds.
• Help develop scalable purchasing and planning processes as the company grows.

Qualifications

• 5 years of experience in purchasing, materials planning, production planning, supply chain, or manufacturing operations.
• Experience working in a manufacturing environment.
• Strong understanding of bills of material, inventory, lead times, purchase orders, and production requirements.
• Advanced/expert Excel skills are required.
• Comfortable working with large amounts of data and using data to make purchasing and planning decisions.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, organizational skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and changing production requirements.
• Strong communication and supplier-management skills.

What We Offer

• Competitive salary based on experience
• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision benefits
• 401(k) with company match
• Paid time off and flexible work schedules
• Hands-on involvement with cutting-edge, mission-critical navigation technology