Planner Buyer

Azenta Life Sciences; Irlam; On-site; GBP 42,000 - 62,000; Full time

Job summary

Azenta Life Sciences is seeking a Planner Buyer to ensure timely procurement of raw materials and components while planning production schedules to meet demand and inventory targets.

You will develop forecasts, source materials, and negotiate with suppliers to drive on-time delivery and cost savings, supporting manufacturing in a regulated life sciences environment.

Qualifications

• Experience in demand planning and purchasing in a production-driven environment, preferably life sciences or regulated industries.
• Understanding of end-to-end supply chain processes including procurement, production planning, and inventory management.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills to influence cross-functional teams.
• Attention to detail, problem-solving, and a proactive continuous improvement mindset.

Responsibilities

• Develop, maintain, and improve accurate demand forecasts to support production and purchasing plans.
• Source and purchase raw materials, components, and indirect supplies in compliance with policies and regulatory requirements.
• Ensure materials and products are available to meet production schedules and customer demand to achieve On Time Delivery (OTD).
• Monitor stock levels and consumption rates to anticipate supply needs, avoid stockouts, and reduce excess inventory.
• Negotiate pricing, lead times, and terms with suppliers to achieve cost savings and secure reliable supply.
• Maintain accurate purchase orders and ensure timely delivery of goods.
• Lead regular planning meetings to review production schedules, inventory status, and forecast updates.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with suppliers for quality and reliability and lead quarterly business reviews with key suppliers.
• Support continuous improvement initiatives within the supply chain to increase efficiency and responsiveness.

Skills

Demand planning

Procurement

Supply chain

Stakeholder management

Continuous improvement

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management

APICS certification

Job description

The Planner Buyer is responsible for ensuring the timely procurement of raw materials, components, and consumables, as well as planning production schedules to meet customer demand and inventory targets. This role plays a critical part in maintaining supply continuity, optimizing inventory levels, and supporting manufacturing operations in a regulated life sciences environment.

What You'll Be Doing

• Develop, maintain, and improve accurate demand forecasts to support production and purchasing plans
• Source and purchase raw materials, components, and indirect supplies in compliance with company policies and regulatory requirements
• Ensure materials and products are available to meet production schedules and customer demand to achieve On Time Delivery (OTD)
• Monitor stock levels and consumption rates to anticipate supply needs, avoid stockouts, and reduce excess inventory
• Negotiate pricing, lead times, and terms with suppliers to achieve cost savings and secure reliable supply.
• Maintain accurate purchase orders and ensure timely delivery of goods
• Lead regular planning meetings to review production schedules, inventory status, and forecast updates.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with suppliers to ensure quality and reliability and lead Quarterly Business Reviews with key suppliers
• Support continuous improvement initiatives within the supply chain process to increase efficiency and responsiveness.

Metrics

On-Time Delivery to Customer Request Date

At Target Safety Stock

Inventory Turns

Revenue Target

What You'll Bring

• Proven experience in demand planning and purchasing in a production-driven environment (life sciences or similar regulated industry preferred)
• Solid understanding of end-to-end supply chain processes, including procurement, production planning, and inventory management.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to influence and align cross-functional teams
• High attention to detail, problem-solving capability, and a proactive, continuous improvement mindset.
• Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Business, Operations, or a related field; APICS certification or equivalent is a plus