Buyer/Planner

L.S. Starrett Company; Athol (MA); On-site; USD 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

L.S. Starrett Company in Athol, MA is seeking a Buyer/Planner to support purchasing, production planning, and material flow in our manufacturing operations.

Responsibilities include planning and scheduling materials to meet production needs, reviewing MRP, negotiating with suppliers, and maintaining ERP/MRP data. Ideal candidates have 2–3 years in manufacturing purchasing/planning, strong Excel skills, and a collaborative, problem-solving mindset.

Qualifications

• Associate degree in Business Administration, Supply Chain, or related field required.
• 2–3 years purchasing or material planning experience in manufacturing.
• Strong understanding of MRP and inventory management.
• Experience with ERP/MRP systems; Oracle or SAP a plus.
• APICS/CPIM certification is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Purchase materials, components, equipment, supplies, and services needed to support operations.
• Plan and schedule materials to meet production requirements and customer demand.
• Review MRP requirements and place, manage, and reschedule purchase orders as needed.
• Monitor inventory levels and identify shortages, excess inventory, and aging inventory.
• Coordinate material requirements with Engineering and Production.
• Identify and evaluate suppliers based on quality, cost, delivery, and service.
• Negotiate pricing, lead times, delivery schedules, and other supplier terms.
• Maintain ERP/MRP data accurately.
• Resolve receiving and invoice discrepancies with Receiving, Finance, and suppliers.
• Support sourcing initiatives and supplier performance improvement.
• Track metrics like inventory accuracy, turns, supplier performance.
• Support Lean, quality, and EHS initiatives.
• Perform other duties and special projects as assigned.

Skills

Analytical thinking

Organizational skills

Cross-functional collaboration

Excel proficiency

Education

Associate degree in Business Administration, Supply Chain, or related field

Bachelor's degree preferred

Tools

ERP/MRP systems

Oracle

SAP

Job description

For more than 145 years, Starrett has built a reputation for precision, quality, and craftsmanship. Today, we’re building on that legacy and looking for talented people to help shape what comes next.

We are seeking a Buyer/Planner to join our team and support purchasing, production planning, and material flow within our manufacturing operation. This position plays an important role in ensuring materials are available when needed while maintaining appropriate inventory levels and supporting production and customer requirements.

The ideal candidate is organized, analytical, and comfortable working across departments and with suppliers to solve problems, manage priorities, and keep materials moving.

What You\'ll Do

• Purchase materials, components, equipment, supplies, and services needed to support operations.
• Plan and schedule materials to meet production requirements and customer demand.
• Review MRP requirements and place, manage, and reschedule purchase orders as needed.
• Monitor inventory levels and identify material shortages, excess inventory, and aging inventory.
• Work with Engineering and Production to coordinate material requirements and schedules.
• Identify and evaluate suppliers based on quality, cost, delivery, and service.
• Negotiate pricing, lead times, delivery schedules, and other supplier terms.
• Maintain accurate material, supplier, and planning information within the ERP/MRP system.
• Work with Receiving, Finance, and suppliers to resolve receiving and invoice discrepancies.
• Support sourcing initiatives and supplier performance improvement.
• Track key metrics including inventory accuracy, inventory turns, supplier performance, and excess and obsolete inventory.
• Support Lean, quality, and EHS initiatives.
• Perform other duties and special projects as assigned.

What We\'re Looking For

• Associate degree in Business Administration, Supply Chain, or a related field required; bachelor\'s degree preferred.
• 2–3 years of purchasing and/or material planning experience in a manufacturing environment.
• Strong understanding of MRP and inventory management principles.
• Experience with ERP/MRP systems; Oracle or SAP experience is a plus.
• Strong Microsoft Office skills, particularly Excel.
• Demonstrated negotiation and problem-solving skills.
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities.
• Effective written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to work effectively with Production, Engineering, Finance, suppliers, and other cross-functional teams.
• APICS/CPIM certification is a plus.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to sit and work at a computer for extended periods.
• Ability to walk through office, manufacturing, and warehouse areas as needed.
• Ability to occasionally bend, reach, and stoop.
• Ability to occasionally lift and carry up to 25 pounds.
• Ability to wear required PPE while in manufacturing areas.

We are looking for a motivated, detail-oriented individual who enjoys working in a fast-paced manufacturing environment and taking ownership of purchasing and planning activities that directly support operational performance. Come join us!