Buyer/Planner

LB Foster; North Dakota; On-site; USD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

LB Foster is seeking a Buyer/Planner I to purchase materials from approved suppliers, schedule production, and release work orders to support plant capacity and customer requirements.

You will manage inbound logistics, track inventory, and collaborate across departments to optimize spend and on-time deliveries. ERP/MRP experience and strong communication are essential for success in this role.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Supply Chain, or related field is required.
• ERP / MRP system experience preferred.
• Travel as required.

Responsibilities

• Purchase orders and work orders: create, release, maintain to support demand.
• Support ERP production planning by releasing work orders to meet customer demand.
• Monitor inventory levels and use tools like consigned or vendor-managed inventory.
• Identify and implement cost reduction through optimized sourcing and supplier collaboration.
• Manage relationships with domestic and international LB Foster supply bases.
• Coordinate inbound material using TMS, select carriers for best price/service.
• Ensure compliance with standards and local regulations for locations.
• Facilitate information flow between internal departments and suppliers.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Skills

MS Word

MS Excel

PowerPoint

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration / Supply Chain

Tools

SAP ERP

MRP/ERP systems

Job description

The Buyer/Planner I is responsible for purchasing materials and supplies from an approved supplier list. Scheduling production and releasing work orders to support plant capacity and customer requirements. Managing inbound logistics for purchased material from supply base, utilizing Transportation Management System (TMS).

Responsibilities (Essential Functions):

1. Manages ERP material planning work bench by creating, releasing, and maintaining purchase orders and work orders as required to support demand requirements.
2. Demonstrate the capability of managing ERP production planning work bench by creating, releasing, and maintaining work orders as required to support customer demand requirements utilizing optimized planning processes.
3. Responsible for supporting inventory targets by making informed buying decisions, constantly evaluating active inventory levels, and applying inventory management tools such as consigned inventory or vendor managed inventory.
4. Responsible for identifying and implementing cost reduction activities using optimized processes, while achieving maximum leverage of spend, competitive sourcing and supplier collaboration to reduce costs.
5. Manage relationships with current and potential domestic and international LB Foster supply bases.
6. Manage inbound material utilizing TMS, select carriers for best price and service levels, file damage claims as required.
7. Responsible for compliance with all applicable standards and local regulations for assigned locations.
8. Facilitate information flow between internal departments and suppliers.
9. All other duties as assigned.

Experience, Education, & License Requirements:

• Bachelor’s Business Administration, Supply Chain, or related field required.
• ERP / MRP system experience preferred.
• Travel as required.

Skills & Abilities:

• Proficient in MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint skills
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Excellent time management skills.
• SAP, or other ERP

Competencies:

• Facilitates collaboration/teamwork
• Communication
• Customer focus
• Integrity & trust
• Continuous improvement
• Adaptability/flexibility
• Accountability/drive for results
• Planning & organizing
• Critical thinking/learning agility