Buyer/Planner – Temporary Contract

Catapult; Charlotte (NC); On-site; USD 40,000 - 43,000; Part time

Job summary

Catapult in Charlotte is seeking a detail-oriented Buyer/Planner to support purchasing and material planning in a fast-paced manufacturing environment. This role targets candidates with 1–2 years of experience who want to build their career in purchasing, planning, and supply chain.

You will manage day-to-day purchase orders, communicate with suppliers, monitor material needs and delivery schedules, and ensure ERP data accuracy to keep production and customer requirements on track.

Qualifications

• 1–2 years of experience in purchasing, sourcing, material planning, or related area.

Responsibilities

• Create and process purchase orders for materials and services based on requisitions and planning requirements.
• Manage purchase orders from placement through receipt.
• Coordinate supplier quotes, pricing, and availability information.
• Communicate order status, lead times, and delivery dates with suppliers.
• Monitor supplier performance and resolve invoice or pricing discrepancies.
• Maintain ERP data accuracy to support production and customer requirements.

Skills

Attention to detail

Communication skills

Multi-tasking

Microsoft Office

Education

Associate degree in Business, Supply Chain, or related

Tools

ERP system experience

Job description

Location: Charlotte

Hours: Monday – Friday 8:00 am – 5:00 pm

Duration: Approximately 6 months

Compensation: $29 - $31 per hour

About the Role

We are seeking a detail-oriented and motivated Buyer/Planner to support purchasing and material planning within a fast-paced manufacturing environment. This is a great opportunity for someone with 1–2 years of experience who wants to continue building their career in purchasing, planning, and supply chain.

The Buyer/Planner will manage day-to-day purchase orders, communicate with suppliers, monitor material needs and delivery schedules, maintain accurate information in the ERP system, and help ensure materials are available to support production and customer requirements.

Key Responsibilities:

Purchasing & Supplier Coordination

• Create and process purchase orders for materials, services, and supplies based on purchase requisitions and planning requirements.
• Manage purchase orders from placement through receipt.
• Request quotes from suppliers and coordinate pricing and availability information.
• Communicate regularly with suppliers regarding order status, material availability, lead times, and delivery dates.
• Expedite, defer, or cancel orders based on changes in production schedules or customer requirements.
• Obtain supplier order confirmations and maintain accurate expected delivery dates in the ERP system.
• Maintain purchasing documentation, including purchase orders and supplier order confirmations.
• Work with suppliers and Accounts Payable to resolve invoice and pricing discrepancies.
• Work with suppliers to resolve shipping errors and coordinate returns of defective products.
• Monitor past-due orders and follow up with suppliers regarding outstanding deliveries.
• Communicate supplier or material delays that may affect customer ship dates to Manufacturing, Customer Service, and management.
• Establish and maintain positive working relationships with suppliers.
• Assist with supplier quality issues and track Supplier Corrective Action Requests (SCARs) as needed.
• Assist with supply agreements and other supplier documentation as needed.

Material Planning

• Place orders for appropriate quantities based on established planning information and production requirements.
• Procure raw materials, supplies, or hardware needed to support manufacturing operations.
• Monitor material requirements and supplier lead times to support production schedules.
• Coordinate purchasing and material needs with Manufacturing, Customer Service, Product Management, and other internal teams.

Inventory & Operational Support

• Respond to order-status inquiries from Sales, Customer Service, Project Management, and Product Management.
• Maintain departmental work instructions and purchasing/planning documentation.
• Prepare routine monthly reports as required.
• Maintain knowledge of assigned products and work with Product Management to understand product requirements.
• Perform other purchasing, planning, and operational duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

Required Qualifications

• 1–2 years of experience in purchasing, sourcing, material planning, inventory, supply chain, or a related area.
• Experience working in a manufacturing or production environment.
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Office, including Excel, Outlook, and Word.
• Strong attention to detail and organizational skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Ability to communicate effectively with suppliers and internal departments.
• Ability to follow established purchasing and planning processes while maintaining accurate records.

Preferred Qualifications

• Associate degree in Business, Supply Chain, Operations, or a related field.
• Experience using an ERP system for purchasing, planning, inventory, or scheduling.
• Experience requesting supplier quotes or working with RFQs.
• Exposure to supplier negotiations or supplier quality processes.
• Experience with international logistics or procurement procedures.
• Experience in label, packaging, printing, or a related manufacturing environment.
• Familiarity with material planning, production schedules, inventory levels, and supplier lead times.
• Supply chain certification or coursework, such as ASCM CPIM or CSCP.