Planner/Buyer

Spectraforce Technologies, Inc.; Sunnyvale (CA); Hybrid; USD 85,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Spectraforce Technologies, Inc. in Sunnyvale, CA seeks a Planner/Buyer with strong forecasting, demand planning and inventory optimization skills to support global supply planning. You will manage ERP data, coordinate with multiple teams, and drive supplier performance in a fast-paced environment.

The role requires 3+ years in planning/purchasing with ERP systems, knowledge of SAP or Oracle, and APICS basics. This is a hybrid role with a 3-month duration and focus on service level targets.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in business, supply chain management, mathematics, engineering or logistics.
• APICS certification preferred and MS/MBA is a plus.
• Minimum 3 years of forecasting, planning, purchasing, inventory or related experience.

Responsibilities

• Plan supply for WW and AMR regions for one or more commodities.
• Monitor metrics: backlog, fill rate, inventory turn and forecast accuracy.
• Analyze forecasted demand and inventory; develop weekly supply plans to meet customer needs.
• Execute weekly plans to minimize gaps and maximize turns.
• Maintain ERP master data and initiate Engineering Change requests as needed.
• Run What-if simulations to optimize material and capacity constraints.
• Coordinate with cross-functional teams to ensure capacity and material availability.
• Communicate deltas and bridge gaps in weekly factory forecasts.
• Manage open purchase orders and supplier dates; reschedule overdue lines.
• Identify system improvements and work with IT on enhancements.
• Lead cross-functional projects and act as liaison with IT project managers.

Skills

Forecasting

Demand planning

Inventory optimization

Cross-functional collaboration

Analytical skills

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in business, supply chain management, mathematics, engineering, or logistics

MS/MBA a plus

APICS certification preferred

Tools

SAP

Oracle

Job description

Job Title: Planner/Buyer

Location: Sunnyvale, CA (Hybrid)

Duration: 3 Months

A successful candidate will require strong analytical skills, a collaborative and proactive attitude, the ability to think broadly, and communication skills to work effectively with managers and planners. This position requires strong knowledge and experience in forecasting, demand planning, inventory optimization, and cross-functional collaboration to achieve outstanding customer service in a fast-paced environment.

Key Qualifications

• Responsible for supply planning for WW and AMR regions for one or more commodities.
• Responsible for key performance metrics such as backlog, fill rate, inventory turn, and vendor forecast accuracy
• Analyze forecasted demand, inventory, develop weekly supply plans that meet customer demands. Results should meet client's target of fill rate, while minimizing total inventory cost
• Execute weekly plans optimally to minimize future gaps and maximize inventory turns
• Analyze and set system parameters to optimize inventory and meet service level goals and minimize costs
• Maintain and update ERP master data for planning parts at various plants. Also responsible to initiate Engineering Change requests based on material life cycle
• Run What if Simulations to optimize material/capacity constraints while minimizing impact to customer satisfaction
• Analyze and resolve product backlogs, fill rates on a daily basis. Identify problem areas, and drive appropriate functional groups to correct.
• Work closely with cross functional teams such as finished goods planning and factory operations teams to ensure sufficient capacities and materials to meet supply requirements
• Coordinate weekly conference calls with Europe and Asia-Pacific teams to sync on supply-demand matching regionally and globally
• Publish weekly factory forecast, ensure deltas and gaps are clearly communicated and bridged
• Execute purchase orders based on requisitions
• Manage accuracy of open purchase orders. Ensure suppliers confirm all purchase orders and provide committed ship dates. Reschedule/modify past due delivery lines and track deliveries until received.
• Find opportunities for system improvement and work with key business partners and IT to implement continuous system improvements
• Oversee key cross functional projects, communicate project timelines and impacts to the team, be the liaison between supply planning team, other cross functional teams and IT project managers

Description

Strong analytical skills combined with an eye for business to make operational decisions on the fly. Effective collaboration and communication approach to influence peers and executive management. Excellent knowledge and demonstrated expertise in supply chain management concepts: forecasting, demand planning, inventory optimization. Experience with ERP planning solutions such as SAP, Oracle, etc.

Education & Experience

Minimum Bachelor's Degree with a focus in business, supply chain management, mathematics, engineering, or logistics MS/MBA a plus

Additional Requirements

• Minimum 3 years of forecasting, planning, purchasing, inventory or related experience
• Proven track record in delivering on critical metrics, while leading projects and initiatives
• Experience in electronic product service supply chain a strong plus
• APICS certification preferred
• Key candidate characteristics: Ability to think strategically and execute tactically, persistent attention to detail, and high level of comfort in working with numbers.