Buyer/Planner

vwr; Phillipsburg (NJ); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Avantor in Phillipsburg, NJ is seeking a Buyer/Planner to manage production planning, develop master production schedules, and drive material requirements planning. You will issue SAP process orders and coordinate with procurement, production, and quality teams to ensure on-time delivery and optimized inventory.

Minimum 3–5 years in production planning with SAP experience; BA/BS in supply chain or related field; APICS/ASCM certification a plus.

Qualifications

• BA/BS in supply chain management or related field.
• 3–5 years in production planning or similar.
• APICS/ASCM certification a plus.
• Experience using SAP for planning/material movement.

Responsibilities

• Prepare master production schedule and 4‑week detailed daily schedule.
• Coordinate purchases for materials, packaging components, and supplies.
• Issue SAP process orders and track execution with operations.
• Coordinate with procurement, production, quality, and distribution teams.
• Monitor schedules, optimize costs, and close supply gaps.
• Maintain production metrics and lead times; back up other planners.

Skills

Master production scheduling

MRP/production planning

Cross-functional collaboration

Analytical thinking

Attention to detail

Education

BA/BS in supply chain management or related field

Tools

SAP

MS Office

Job description

The Opportunity:

Avantor is looking for a Buyer/Planner to manage all aspects of production planning including the development of detailed production schedules, campaign schedules, and material requirements planning.

The Buyer/Planner reports to the Site Planning Leader with preparing the master production schedule, while responsible for preparing 4 week detailed daily schedule on a weekly basis. They also purchase materials, packaging components, parts and supplies as needed, and work closely with the strategic sourcing, production, quality, procurement, distribution, product management, marketing & sales, and customer service departments.

This is a full-time position based onsite at our Phillipsburg, NJ location.

How you will thrive and create an impact:

• Supports breaking the master production schedule down into finite production asset plans for 1 to 4 week frozen planning horizon as well as 4-8 week fluid planning horizon.
• Coordinates preparation for production schedules and material orders; communicates production plans effectively across the organization.
• Works closely with other planners in related areas or plants to coordinate purchases to cover overall demand.
• Monitors and adjusts schedules to respond to market/production requirements and optimizes costs.
• Reviews forecast and master data to close supply gaps before they impact customers.
• Analyzes and evaluates inventory and delivery problems; recommends solutions as appropriate.
• Communicates as needed with manufacturing, customer service, quality, marketing and distribution departments regarding product availability and delivery schedules.
• Demonstrates and maintains effective cost reduction strategies.
• Maintains production metrics.
• Issues SAP process orders and controls report backs from operations teams.
• Responsible for alignment of production assets and resources for weekly production schedule.
• Reports out production rates, asset up time and asset utilization on a regular basis.
• Serves as a backup for other Planners/Schedulers across North American facilities as needed.
• Develops and implements programs to create, validate, and maintain system data necessary to fully utilize the MRP capabilities of SAP.
• Improves the responsiveness of the operation through managing lead times and collaborating with stakeholders to improve the supply chain.
• Establishes and deploys best practices to ensure customer and business expectations are met for all Make to Stock, Make to order, and Package to Order product strategies.
• Manages purchasing activities, including but not limited to: a. Places purchase orders with vendors based upon sales orders and established inventory settings; b. Reconciles invoices as required; c. Minimizes inventory to reduce working capital while maximizing service level to the customer; d. Return to vendor goods not meeting Avantor specifications, received damaged, or otherwise not usable.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

What we're looking for:

• Education: BA/BS required in supply chain management or related field.
• Experience: Understands the financial impact of planning on variances, customer service and inventory investment.
• Minimum of three (3) to five (5) years in production planning.
• Certification/s: APICS/ASCM certification a plus.
• Experience utilizing SAP for planning/material movement preferred.
• Chemical/or pharmaceutical experience preferred.
• Experience in a regulated environment such as cGMP, ISO, or FDA is a plus.
• Experience in planning in an asset- or raw material-constrained environment desired.
• Excellent with multi-tasking, follow-up, and execution of assignments.
• Excellent computer skills: Microsoft Office Suite, including Excel, Word, and PowerPoint.
• Strong analytical and interpersonal skills with ability to effectively work in a team environment.
• Comprehensive knowledge of MRP systems.
• Demonstrated ability to effectively plan and manage/multiple SKUs.
• Excellent problem solving, time management and prioritization skills.
• Ability to learn quickly in a fast-paced environment.
• Excellent listening, written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong sense of urgency, initiative, detail oriented and solution focused.

Disclaimer:

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by employees assigned to this classification. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required of employees assigned to this position. Avantor is proud to be an equal opportunity employer.

Why Avantor?

Dare to go further in your career. Join our global team of 14,000+ associates whose passion for discovery and determination to overcome challenges relentlessly advances life-changing science.

The work we do changes people's lives for the better. It brings new patient treatments and therapies to market, giving a cancer survivor the chance to walk his daughter down the aisle. It enables medical devices that help a littl