What are the responsibilities and job description for the Buyer / Planning & Estimating Support Specialist position at Van Zeeland Mfg.?
Full-Time | Day Shift | On site
Position Title:
Buyer / Planning & Estimating Support Specialist
Position Overview:
Van Zeeland Manufacturing is looking for a Buyer / Planning & Estimating Support Specialist to lead and modernize our purchasing function, while also serving as a cross-trained backup to our Job Planning/Estimating team during peak workload periods. This is a great opportunity for someone who enjoys building better systems — you'll start by developing a more standardized, data-driven purchasing process (analyzing what we buy, how often, how much, and from whom), then transition into a more procedural, steady-state role as that process matures. The remainder of your week will flex to wherever the heaviest workload is, primarily supporting job routing maintenance and estimating.
We're looking for someone who is analytical, organized, detail-oriented, and comfortable owning a process from the ground up.
Responsibilities — Purchasing (Primary Focus)
- Develop and implement a standardized purchasing process, including RFQ cadence, vendor rotation, and order-quantity review.
- Analyze historical purchasing patterns to determine optimal order frequency, quantity, and vendor mix for key commodities.
- Issue RFQs and POs to approved vendors, ensuring current vendor contract pricing, lead times, and quantity breaks are applied.
- Maintain accurate lot sizes, safety stock levels, and lead times in the ERP system (Syteline).
- Act as the main contact and own the vendor relationships.
- Maintain and act on vendor performance data (on-time delivery, responsiveness, pricing accuracy, and service quality) to support sourcing decisions.
- Ensure purchases follow company approval thresholds and documentation requirements.
- Conduct periodic item reviews (vendor contracts, ABC classification, alternate suppliers) to keep purchasing data current.
- Communicate with Production and Job Planning on material timing, floor stock, and any purposely over-ordered quantities.
Responsibilities — Job Planning / Estimating (Secondary / Backup)
- Assist with creating and maintaining job routings for production.
- Help review customer drawings, specifications, and CAD files.
- Assist with job scheduling, inventory planning, and lead times.
- Help estimate material, labor, setup, tooling, and outside-service costs.
- Coordinate with Sales, Purchasing, Production, vendors, and customers to resolve manufacturing questions.
- Review past jobs to help improve future routings and estimates.
Qualifications
- Experience in purchasing, procurement, or supply chain — manufacturing environment strongly preferred.
- Strong analytical skills; comfortable working with purchasing data, spreadsheets, and ERP systems (Syteline experience a plus).
- Experience with AutoCAD or similar 2D CAD software helpful, but not required.
- Ability to build and document a process from scratch, then run it consistently over time.
- Strong organizational, problem-solving, and communication skills — able to work with vendors, office staff, and production personnel alike.
- Comfortable balancing a primary focus area with variable, cross-functional support work.
- Previous experience with job planning, estimating, scheduling, or manufacturing engineering is a plus but not required.
Why Join Van Zeeland Manufacturing?
At Van Zeeland Manufacturing, we're proud of the work we do and the people who make it happen. Founded in 1980, we are a third-generation family business. We are a manufacturer of power transmission products (sprockets, gears, and timing belt pulleys) and our mission is simple: manufacture quality products at a fair price, deliver them on time, and provide outstanding customer service.
Our Core Values — Integrity, Respect, Responsibility, Customer Service, and Innovation — guide how we work with our customers, employees, vendors, and community.
- Paid Vacation, Holidays
- Health, Dental, Vision and LTD
- Company paid STD and Life Insurance
- Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
- 401(k) match
- Gym membership reimbursement
- Charitable match program
- Quarterly bonuses
- Monthly employee lunches
Van Zeeland Manufacturing, Inc. is a Drug Free Workplace. All applicants are subject to a drug screen as a condition of employment.
Van Zeeland Manufacturing, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran.
Job Type: Full-time
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- 401(k) matching
- Dental insurance
- Employee assistance program
- Health insurance
- Health savings account
- Life insurance
- Paid time off
- Retirement plan
- Vision insurance
Work Location: In person