Manufacturing Buyer/Planner

GED Integrated Solutions Inc; Solon (IA); On-site; USD 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

GED Integrated Solutions Inc seeks a Buyer/Planner to manage assigned commodities in an OEM manufacturing setting. You will work closely with Engineering, Quality, and Operations to ensure reliable, cost-effective sources of supply.

The role entails supplier development, PO management, materials planning, and cost/quality performance improvements, with emphasis on delivering lowest total cost while maintaining schedule integrity.

Qualifications

• Degree or equivalent with 5+ years purchasing in OEM manufacturing.
• Able to interpret GD&T drawings.
• Working knowledge of MRP and ERP systems.
• Proficient in Excel; experience with integrated manufacturing systems.

Responsibilities

• Identify, develop, and maintain reliable suppliers for assigned commodities.
• Negotiate purchase agreements to secure favorable pricing and terms.
• Review engineering drawings and prepare quote packages for regional suppliers.
• Solicit quotations to ensure competitive sourcing and support cost efforts for new products.
• Conduct regular supplier site visits and maintain strong supplier relationships.
• Assist in developing supplier certification and rating programs.
• Place, track, expedite, and de-expedite purchase orders to match the material plan.
• Manage commodities to achieve targeted inventory turns and minimize total cost.
• Review and maintain item master data to support accurate MRP.
• Audit supplier quality performance and drive corrective actions.
• Develop commodity strategies and participate in cost-reduction initiatives.
• Ensure compliance with company policies and ISM standards.

Skills

Negotiation

Analytical thinking

Independent work

Team collaboration

Education

Business/Operations degree

10+ years related experience

Tools

ERP systems

MRP software

Microsoft Excel

Integrated manufacturing systems

Job description

Description

The Buyer/Planner is responsible for managing assigned commodities within an OEM manufacturing environment, including supplier development, purchase order management, materials planning, and cost and quality performance. This role partners closely with Engineering, Quality, and Operations to ensure reliable, cost-effective sources of supply.

Sourcing & Supplier Management

• Identify, develop, and maintain reliable sources of supply within assigned commodities.
• Negotiate purchase agreements and contracts to secure favorable pricing, terms, and conditions.
• Review engineering drawings for outsourced machined components and prepare quote packages for qualified regional suppliers capable of cost-efficient production.
• Solicit quotations from qualified suppliers to ensure competitive sourcing, and support quoting and cost-gathering efforts for new product introductions.
• Conduct regular site visits to major suppliers within assigned commodity areas.
• Build and maintain strong working relationships with key suppliers.
• Assist the Materials Manager in developing supplier certification and rating programs.

Purchasing & Materials Planning

• Place, follow up on, expedite, and de-expedite purchase orders to ensure deliveries align with the material requirements plan.
• Manage commodities of responsibility to consistently achieve targeted inventory turns.
• Plan material purchases to minimize inventory investment, maximize operating efficiency, and achieve lowest total cost.
• Maintain and periodically review Item Master data - including order quantities, lead times, and authorized supplier information - to support accurate MRP.
• Review, approve, and procure items requisitioned by other departments per purchase order approval procedures.
• Maintain purchase order history and inventory item master databases to ensure data accuracy and completeness.
• Investigate purchase price variances that fall outside acceptable tolerance.

Quality & Cost Management

• Communicate material specifications and quality requirements; negotiate pricing; establish delivery commitments; identify substitutions and improvement opportunities.
• Audit supplier quality performance to ensure compliance with target quality levels; initiate corrective action as needed.
• Process rejected material per department procedures and drive corrective action on non-conforming material.

Strategy & Process Improvement

• Develop and publish commodity strategies for assigned procurement areas.
• Participate in assigned cost reduction committee(s).
• Contribute to the development of new purchasing procedures and programs.

Additional Responsibilities

• Help maintain an orderly, professional work area.
• Comply with all policies and rules in the company employee handbook.
• Adhere to ISM ethical standards for supply management.

Qualifications

Required

• Associate or bachelor’s degree in business, operations, or a related field; or 10+ years of related experience and/or training; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Minimum of 5 years of purchasing experience in an OEM manufacturing environment.
• Ability to interpret technical drawings, including GD&T.
• Working knowledge of Material Requirements Planning (MRP).
• Experience with automated/ERP purchasing systems.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel and word processing; at least 1 year of experience with integrated manufacturing systems.
• Solid understanding of purchasing department practices and standard business procedures.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced environment, remaining flexible to changing deadlines and priorities.

Preferred

• Knowledge of CNC/machine tooling.
• Working knowledge of Lean Six Sigma.
• ASCM or ISM membership/certification.