Manufacturing Buyer & Planner - 6-Month Contract

Catapult Employers Association; Charlotte (NC); On-site; USD 40,000 - 43,000; Full time

Job summary

Catapult Employers Association is seeking a Buyer/Planner in Charlotte to support purchasing and material planning in a fast-paced manufacturing environment. The role is ideal for someone with 1–2 years of experience who wants to grow in purchasing, planning, and supply chain.

You will manage day-to-day purchase orders, coordinate with suppliers, monitor material needs, maintain ERP data, and help ensure materials are available to meet production and customer requirements.

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.

Responsibilities

• 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.
• 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.
• 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.

Skills

Purchasing experience

Sourcing

Material planning

Inventory management

Communication

Education

Associate degree in Business or related field

Tools

Excel

Outlook

Word

ERP system

Job description

Catapult Employers Association is seeking a Buyer/Planner in Charlotte to support purchasing and material planning in a fast-paced manufacturing environment. The role is ideal for someone with 1–2 years of experience who wants to grow in purchasing, planning, and supply chain.

You will manage day-to-day purchase orders, coordinate with suppliers, monitor material needs, maintain ERP data, and help ensure materials are available to meet production and customer requirements.