Buyer / Planner I

TDK-Lambda Americas Inc; San Diego (CA); On-site; USD 56,000 - 66,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision insurance

401(k) with company match

Paid Time Off (PTO)

Educational assistance

Employee recognition programs

Career growth opportunities

Job summary

TDK-Lambda Americas is seeking an organized Buyer/Planner to coordinate purchasing and material planning, ensuring materials and finished goods meet operational needs and customer commitments.

You will work with suppliers and internal teams to manage schedules, keep data accurate, spot supply risks, and support delivery and inventory goals. This hands-on role requires strong analytical and Excel skills and the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.

Qualifications

• Two years of experience in purchasing, material planning, inventory control, logistics, or a related role.
• Experience using an ERP system with MRP.
• Understanding of purchasing, supply and demand, material planning, forecasting, replenishment, inventory management, and logistics.
• Strong Excel skills with advanced functions and data analysis.

Responsibilities

• Review requisitions and plan purchases based on demand, inventory, lead times, and priorities.
• Confirm supplier pricing, availability, and delivery information.
• Prepare and issue purchase orders and bid requests.
• Perform material planning and scheduling to support accurate MRP results.
• Monitor supplier confirmations and open orders; coordinate deliveries.
• Update ERP dates and records to stay current.
• Analyze demand and inventory, support forecasting and projections.
• Coordinate with suppliers and internal teams for material availability and on‑time shipments.
• Investigate discrepancies and coordinate corrective actions.
• Coordinate supplier changes and returns as required.
• Monitor Advance Shipping Notifications (ASNs).
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Skills

ERP/MRP systems

Excel (PivotTables, XLOOKUP/VLOOKUP)

Analytical skills

Time management

Communication skills

Outlook proficiency

Education

Associate or bachelor's degree in supply chain or related field

APICS/ASCM certification or equivalent

Tools

ERP/MRP software

Job description

About TDK-Lambda Americas

At TDK-Lambda Americas, we power the technologies that keep the world moving. As part of the global TDK Corporation, we're a trusted leader in power conversion technology, designing innovative power supplies used in medical, industrial, defense, factory automation, and other mission-critical industries.

We're more than a company—we're a team of innovators who value collaboration, continuous improvement, and new ideas. With competitive benefits, opportunities for professional growth, and a culture where employees are empowered to make an impact, TDK-Lambda Americas is a place where you can build a meaningful career.

The Opportunity

We're looking for an organized, detail-oriented Buyer/Planner who enjoys problem-solving, working with suppliers, and keeping materials moving.

In this role, you'll coordinate purchasing and material planning to make sure materials and finished goods are available to support operational needs and customer commitments. You'll work with suppliers and internal teams to manage supply schedules, keep planning and purchasing information accurate, spot potential supply risks, and support delivery and inventory goals.

What You'll Do

• Review approved requisitions and MRP requirements, and plan purchases based on demand, inventory, lead times, and business priorities.
• Confirm supplier pricing, availability, and delivery information.
• Prepare and issue purchase orders and bid requests within your assigned authority.
• Perform material planning and scheduling for assigned products and apply planning parameters to support accurate MRP results.
• Monitor supplier confirmations and open orders, coordinate delivery schedules, and expedite late or at-risk shipments.
• Update ERP dates and records to keep information current.
• Analyze demand, inventory, usage, and shipment data, and support forecasting or projection requests from management.
• Coordinate with suppliers and internal teams to support material availability, customer requirements, and on-time shipment.
• Investigate delivery, quality, invoice, and receipt discrepancies, coordinate corrective actions, and elevate issues as appropriate.
• Coordinate authorized product changes as required.
• Coordinate supplier returns with the supplier, Quality, and Warehouse for NCMRs and other situations, including replacement orders, credits, and follow-up.
• Monitor and process Advance Shipping Notifications (ASNs).
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

What We're Looking For

Required Qualifications

• Two years of experience in purchasing, material planning, inventory control, logistics, or a related supply-chain role. An equivalent combination of education, training, and experience may be considered.
• Experience using an ERP system, including ERP/MRP systems and maintaining accurate transactional or planning data.
• Working understanding of purchasing, supply and demand, material planning, forecasting, replenishment, inventory management, and logistics.
• Intermediate to advanced Microsoft Excel skills, including formulas, PivotTables, lookup functions such as XLOOKUP or VLOOKUP, and sorting and filtering data.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, organizational, and time‑management skills.
• Ability to review numerical information, identify discrepancies, and prepare or interpret routine reports.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to obtain clarification and communicate issues professionally.
• Ability to manage competing priorities, meet deadlines, and maintain accuracy in a fast‑paced environment.
• Ability to work independently within established procedures and approval limits, while escalating issues appropriately.
• Proficiency with Outlook and other standard business applications, and the ability to learn new systems quickly.

Preferred Qualifications

• Associate or bachelor's degree in supply chain management, business, operations, or a related field.
• APICS/ASCM certification or other supply‑chain education.

Why You'll Love This Role

• Play a key part in keeping materials, production, and customer shipments on track.
• Work with a variety of suppliers and internal teams every day.
• Solve real supply‑chain challenges rather than performing the same task every day.
• Use ERP/MRP and analytical tools to drive better planning decisions.
• Develop your purchasing, planning, and supplier management expertise.
• Build your career with a global technology organization.

Compensation

• Annual base salary: $56,000–$66,000
• Performance‑based bonus opportunities
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• 401(k) with company match
• Paid Time Off (PTO)
• Educational assistance
• Employee recognition and service award programs
• Career growth opportunities within TDK

Actual base pay will depend on factors including relevant experience, training, transferable skills, business needs, and market conditions. The salary range is subject to change and may be modified in the future.

This is an in-office position located in the San Diego, California area.

Benefits

• Performance-based bonus opportunities
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• 401(k) with company match
• Paid Time Off (PTO)
• Educational assistance
• Employee recognition and service award programs
• Career growth opportunities within TDK

Equal Employment Opportunity and Accommodations

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential job duty satisfactorily, with or without reasonable accommodation.

TDK-Lambda Americas Inc. is an Equal Opportunity and Aff…?

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.