Buyer Planner - Spare Parts

Ipsen, Inc.; Souderton (Montgomery County); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Day-One Benefits

401(k) with Company Match

Paid Time Off

Tuition Reimbursement

Job summary

Ipsen, Inc. is seeking a Buyer Planner to coordinate procurement for the Spare Parts Department and balance cost with production needs. The role requires strategic sourcing, negotiation, and vendor management to support manufacturing profitability.

You will forecast production needs, manage suppliers to reduce costs, monitor KPIs, and ensure timely material flow while collaborating with production, finance and logistics. ERP/MRP proficiency and travel up to 15% may be required.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in business, supply chain, or related field.
• 3–5 years purchasing experience in a manufacturing environment.
• CPP or CSCP certification is a plus.
• Experience with financial planning and cost-benefit analysis in manufacturing.

Responsibilities

• Forecast and plan assigned product codes for Spare Parts.
• Manage suppliers to reduce costs, improve quality, control inventories and ensure timely flow of material.
• Monitor and report KPIs including Purchase Price Variance, inventories, shortages, and supplier performance.
• Ensure efficient inventory management to minimize stockouts and maximize utilization.
• Develop knowledge of assigned products and supplier base; utilize ERP/MRP systems.
• Collaborate with production to develop production schedules and with QA for disposition of defects.

Skills

Verbal communication

Written communication

MS Office

Negotiation

Analytical skills

Education

Bachelor’s degree in business, supply chain, or related field

CPP or CSCP certification (plus)

Tools

ERP/MRP systems

Job description

Description

Ipsen is a Drug Free Workplace

Why You'll Love Working With Us:

We believe great benefits shouldn't have to wait. That’s why we offer:

• Day-One Benefits – Enjoy our full benefits package starting your very first day—no waiting period required.
• 401(k) with Company Match – We invest in your future with a generous 401(k) plan and company contributions to grow your savings faster.
• Paid Time Off – Recharge and take the time you need with our competitive vacation package, paid holidays and PTO.
• Tuition Reimbursement – We support your growth. Advance your education and career with our tuition assistance program.

Summary

The Buyer Planner will coordinate the procurement of goods and services for Ipsen's Spare Parts Department. To be successful in this role it will require strategic sourcing, negotiation, and vendor management to support production processes effectively. The Buyer will work with staff across departments to forecast the production needs of the business and make purchase decisions to balance operational efficiency with cost-effectiveness, ensuring organizational profitability and sustainability

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Forecast and plan assigned Product Codes at the item level for Spare Parts.
• Manage suppliers to reduce costs, improve quality, control inventories and ensure timely flow of material.
• Monitor and report key performance metrics, including Purchase Price Variance, inventories, shortages, and supplier performance.
• Ensure efficient inventory management to minimize stockouts and maximize inventory utilization.
• Develop and maintain in-depth knowledge of assigned products and their associate supplier base.
• Demonstrate proficiency in utilizing company specific ERP/MRP systems.
• Work closely with production in developing production schedules.
• Work with quality assurance to render disposition on defective parts and supplier feedback.
• Identify areas for improvement, propose solutions, and implement necessary changes.
• May be required to work flexible hours to meet project deadlines.
• Develop mutually beneficial, respectful, and effective relationships with peers to ensure seamless coordination between departments, maximize synergy, and maintain a shared vision, strategy, and focus.
• Stay updated with industry trends and purchasing practices through continuous professional development and networking.
• Coordinate with internal stakeholders such as the production, finance, and logistics departments to ensure alignment of procurement activities with business goals.
• Other duties as assigned.

Requirements

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Excellent verbal and written communications skills.
• Proficient with MS Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint & Outlook)
• Ability to calculate figures and amounts such as price vs. cost analysis, discounts, percentages, proportions, area, circumference, volume, metrics and interest.
• Ability to apply concepts of basic algebra and geometry.
• Possess strong critical thinking, decision-making, and negotiation abilities.
• Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of variables where limited standardization exists.
• Ability to read, analyze, and interpret general business periodicals, professional journals, technical procedures, blueprints, component specifications, or governmental regulations.
• Ability to write reports, and business correspondence.
• Detail-oriented and solid organizational skills.
• Ability to effectively present information via spreadsheets, and computer software.
• Ability to timely respond to questions from managers, production supervisors, production personnel and customers.
• Ability to occasionally travel, up to 15%, to include both domestic and internationally.

Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in business, Supply Chain, or related field.
• Minimum 3-5 years of purchasing experience in a manufacturing environment.
• Proven experience in financial planning and cost-benefit analysis in a manufacturing or other related environment required.
• Additional certifications such as Certified Purchasing Professional (CPP) or Certified Supply Chain Professional (CSCP) are a plus.

Physical/Visual/Mental/ Environmental Factors

The demands described are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

1. Regularly required to sit and use hands and finger dexterity.
2. Occasionally required to stand, walk, reach with hands and arms.
3. Occasionally required to lift up to 10-20 pounds.
4. Regularly requires close vision, hearing and talking.
5. Exposure to moderate noise level while in office.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran.

Exact compensation may vary based on skills, experience, and location.