AFL manufactures industry-leading fiber optic cable, connectivity and accessories and provides engineering and installation services for some of the largest telecom customers in the world. Our company was founded in 1984 with a single fiber optic cable and today, we manufacture thousands of products, generate an excess of $1.5B in revenue, and employ approximately 7,000 associates worldwide. At AFL, we recognize that our employees are our greatest asset. We hire and train each individual, investing in them to ensure success in their careers. With a commitment to professional development and growth, let us connect you to your next career opportunity.

What We Offer:

• Flexible time off policy
• 401K Company match (up to 4% - dollar for dollar)
• Professional development, training, and tuition reimbursement programs
• Excellent medical, dental, vision, and life insurance policy options
• Opportunities for career advancement with an industry leading company!

We are seeking an Experienced Buyer/Planner to join our Conductor Accessories team in Duncan, SC. The Buyer/Planner position is responsible for the planning, scheduling, procurement and expediting of raw materials and finished goods in support of the manufacturing organization. Utilize best procurement practices, including managing the supplier, to ensure optimal pricing, while meeting the department’s goals for cost reduction, quality improvement, on-time delivery, inventory management and lead time reduction.

Responsibilities

• Maintain complete ownership of the procurement process to include creating requisitions and ensuring on-time delivery of required materials including, but not limited to, ordering, expediting, and returns.
•  Plan material needs for production and facility.
• Analyze/adjust inventory levels as required to coincide with changing customer demand, lead time changes and other initiatives.
•  Utilize Materials Requirements Planning System and other planning tools or develop tools as required.
• Work closely with Quality and Manufacturing to monitor and correct all supplier non-conformance issues.
• Interface with vendors with respect to price negotiation, availability of materials, delivery time and supplier visits.
• Develop and execute vendor supply agreements.
• Ensure that all purchase orders are clearly defined, entered and updated, in an accurate and timely manner.
• Proactively plan future raw material requirements taking into account New Product Launch timing and upcoming product mix changes
• Continuously work to improve delivery, quality and service of suppliers.
• Ensure that problems relating to delivery, quality, service or pricing are promptly conveyed to the vendor and resolved in a timely manner.
• Research and establish contacts with potential new vendors to develop additional or new sources for raw materials.
• MRO procurement.
• Provide input into the Business Planning Cycle by providing annual volume, pricing and trend forecasts.
• Adhere to and promote the environmental, health & safety policies of AFL.

Personal Qualities

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to build strong business partnerships
• Self-starter with good time management skills and capable of thriving with limited supervision
•  Results-oriented, capable of meeting goals in a challenging environment
•  Self-confidence and integrity
• Problem solver with strong analytical skills

Qualifications

• Associates Degree and/or APICS certification. Will consider equivalent work experience. 
• 2 -5 years’ experience in material planning and purchasing, preferably in the telecommunications industry
• Solid understanding of materials operations, materials planning and inventory control in a lean manufacturing environment
• International buying/purchasing experience desired
•  Production scheduling experience desired
• Intermediate or higher user of MS Office

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