Inventory Planner / Buyer

Quest Oracle Community; Itasca (IL); Hybrid; USD 70,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

Fellowes Brands seeks an Inventory Planner / Buyer to manage planning, purchasing, and inventory activities to support product availability and profitability. You will partner with suppliers and cross-functional teams to balance demand with inventory investment.

The role requires experience with ERP systems (NetSuite/Oracle), strong Excel skills, and a data-driven mindset. Hybrid work setup with occasional travel, and a benefits package offered.

Qualifications

• Two years minimum experience in planning, purchasing, inventory management, procurement, or supply chain operations.
• Experience with ERP systems such as NetSuite, Oracle EBS, Oracle Cloud, or a comparable platform.
• Proficiency with Microsoft 365 applications, particularly Excel, for data analysis, reporting, and day-to-day communication.
• Ability to analyze demand, inventory, supplier, and order information and convert findings into timely actions.
• Strong organizational, problem-solving, and prioritization skills in a fast-paced environment.
• Process-driven and detail-oriented with a commitment to data accuracy and follow-through.
• Effective supplier communication and negotiation skills.
• Excellent verbal and written communication and cross-functional collaboration abilities.
• Ability to work independently and make sound decisions in a dynamic setting.
• Bachelor's degree preferred.

Responsibilities

• Manage planning and purchasing activities for assigned products to support service-level, inventory, and ROI objectives.
• Execute MRP and translate demand requirements into timely purchasing and inventory actions.
• Create, issue, and manage purchase orders including supplier acknowledgements and delivery-date follow-up.
• Monitor inventory levels, supply requirements, and product availability; identify shortages, excess inventory, and risks.
• Partner with established suppliers to achieve delivery, quality, cost, service, and inventory objectives.
• Track and expedite inbound shipments with suppliers and logistics partners to maintain material flow.
• Review and approve sales orders in NetSuite and communicate backorders and supply constraints.
• Create and manage drop-ship purchase orders for direct-to-customer fulfillment.
• Maintain item, supplier, pricing, and purchasing data in NetSuite and Oracle Cloud.
• Review and implement supplier cost changes and negotiate costs as needed.
• Collaborate with Accounts Payable to resolve invoice discrepancies.
• Provide direction to warehouse operations for inventory-related activities.
• Collaborate with Product, Engineering, Quality, Finance, Logistics, Customer Service, Sales, and warehouse teams for launches and end-of-life activities.
• Monitor KPIs related to inventory, service levels, supplier delivery, PO performance, and availability.
• Identify and implement process improvements to strengthen planning accuracy and data integrity.
• Develop knowledge of NetSuite, Microsoft 365, and related tools.
• Travel domestically less than 5%.

Skills

MRP knowledge

Inventory planning

Purchase order management

ERP experience

Excel analysis

Data accuracy

Negotiation skills

Communication skills

Independent worker

Decision making

Education

Bachelor's degree preferred

Tools

NetSuite

Oracle Cloud

Oracle EBS

Microsoft Excel

Microsoft 365

Job description

Description

Our most important asset is our people. Who we are, what we do, how we do it and why we are passionate are all centerpieces of why we succeed.

We are proud to be recognized:

• Among America's Best Midsize Employers by Forbes in 2021, 2022 and 2024
• As a Chicago Tribune Top Workplace for four consecutive years (2021-2025)

We currently operate in-office Monday-Thursday, with an optional remote day on Friday.

This role is not eligible for employment-based visa sponsorship.

Role Summary

As the Inventory Planner / Buyer, reporting to the Sr Manager, Global Sourcing & Procurement, you will be responsible for planning, purchasing, and inventory management activities that support product availability, customer service, and business profitability. This role manages material requirements for an assigned product portfolio, partners with suppliers and cross-functional teams, maintains accurate system data, and executes procurement activities that balance customer demand, service levels, and inventory investment.

In This Role, You Will…

• Manage planning and purchasing activities for assigned products to support service-level, inventory, and return-on-investment objectives.
• Execute Material Requirements Planning (MRP) and translate demand requirements into timely purchasing and inventory actions.
• Create, issue, and manage purchase orders, including supplier acknowledgements, delivery-date follow-up, and order maintenance.
• Monitor inventory levels, supply requirements, and product availability; identify shortages, excess inventory, and potential service risks.
• Partner with established suppliers to achieve delivery, quality, cost, service, and inventory objectives.
• Track and expedite inbound shipments as needed, coordinating with suppliers and logistics partners to resolve delays and maintain material flow.
• Review and approve sales orders in NetSuite, and communicate backorders, delays, and supply constraints to Customer Service in a timely manner.
• Create and manage drop-ship purchase orders to support direct-to-customer fulfillment requirements.
• Create and maintain item, supplier, pricing, and purchasing data in NetSuite and Oracle Cloud to ensure accurate information flow.
• Review and implement supplier cost changes and negotiate product, freight, rework, and other costs as needed.
• Work with suppliers and Accounts Payable to investigate and resolve invoice, pricing, quantity, and receiving discrepancies.
• Provide direction and support to warehouse operations for approved product rework and inventory-related activities.
• Collaborate with Product, Engineering, Quality, Finance, Logistics, Customer Service, Sales, and warehouse teams to support new product launches, product transitions, and end-of-life activities.
• Monitor and support key performance indicators related to inventory, service levels, supplier delivery, purchase-order performance, and product availability.
• Identify and implement process improvements that strengthen planning accuracy, purchasing efficiency, system data integrity, and cross-functional communication.
• Develop and maintain working knowledge of NetSuite, Microsoft 365, and related business processes and reporting tools.
• Travel domestically as business needs require, generally less than 5%.
• Additional duties as assigned.

What You Bring to the Team

• Minimum of two years of experience in planning, purchasing, inventory management, procurement, or supply chain operations.
• Working knowledge of MRP, inventory planning, purchasing, and purchase-order management processes.
• Experience using ERP systems such as NetSuite, Oracle EBS, Oracle Cloud, or a comparable platform.
• Proficiency with Microsoft 365 applications, particularly Excel, for data analysis, reporting, and day-to-day communication.
• Ability to analyze demand, inventory, supplier, and order information and convert findings into timely actions.
• Strong organizational, problem-solving, and prioritization skills, with the ability to manage diverse requests and projects in a timely manner.
• Process-driven and detail-oriented approach with a strong commitment to data accuracy and follow-through.
• Effective supplier communication and negotiation skills.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills and the ability to work effectively with a variety of functions and individuals across the organization.
• Ability to work independently, make sound decisions, and respond effectively in a fast-paced environment.
• Bachelor's degree preferred

The hiring range for this position in Itasca is $70,000 to $80,000 per year. The base pay actually offered will take into account internal equity and also may vary depending on the candidate's geographic region, job-related knowledge, skills and experience, among other factors. An annual incentive may be provided as part of the compensation package, in addition to a full range of medical, financial and/or other benefits, dependent on the level and position offered. An overview of our benefits offering is available here: Fellowes Benefits Overview.

Fellowes Brands - A Family Business Since 1917

For over a century, Fellowes has been committed to positively impacting people through our culture, relationships and solutions. We have evolved toward relevance with each decade and generation, responding to a constantly changing world. Today, we are on an ambitious journey to grow our influence and impact in enhancing and maximizing work experiences worldwide. We are a "Brand on the Move" and remain committed to finding new ways to help people work better and feel better.

Visit our Careers Site: www.fellowesbrands.com/us/en/careers/Pages/overview.aspx

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.

Fellowes, Inc. does not accept unsolicited resumes from any agencies that have not signed a mutual service agreement. All unsolicited resumes will be considered Fellowes' property, and Fellowes will not be obligated to pay a referral fee. This includes resumes submitted directly to hiring managers without contacting the Talent Acquisition Department