Buyer / Planner Specialist

IPG Photonics; Marlborough (MA); On-site; USD 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive benefits

Challenging projects

Friendly work environment

Job summary

IPG Photonics, based in Marlborough, MA, is seeking a Buyer responsible for procurement execution and material delivery. This role involves managing supplier relationships and ensuring timely material availability.

Qualified candidates will have a bachelor's degree and 2-5 years of experience in procurement. An effective candidate will excel in a fast-paced, dynamic environment while adhering to procurement controls.

Qualifications

• 2 to 5 years of experience in procurement or materials coordination.
• Experience in a manufacturing or industrial environment.
• Strong understanding of material planning.

Responsibilities

• Own the end-to-end procurement execution cycle.
• Manage open purchase order portfolios and resolve discrepancies.
• Act as the primary interface between procurement and project teams.

Skills

Procurement processes

Supplier management

Analytical thinking

Stakeholder management

Education

Bachelor's degree in supply chain management, Operations, Engineering, or Business Administration

Tools

ERP systems (e.g., Dynamics NAV)

Job description

IPG Photonics is revolutionizing the laser industry as the pioneering developer and leading producer of fiber lasers and amplifiers. Headquartered in Marlborough, MA, IPG has over 4,800 employees in more than 30 locations around the world. We aspire to work together with our employees and customers to apply light in ways that improve life.

Our mission is to develop innovative laser solutions to make the world a better place. To accomplish this mission, we are committed to attracting and retaining the best talent and an engaged and thriving workforce that drives a sustainable future for our company and society.

Working at IPG Photonics you can expect challenging projects, a motivating and friendly environment, and competitive benefits.

IPG Purchasing procures from an international base of suppliers to meet capital equipment customer requirements. The Buyer is responsible for developing sources and executing material delivery to support the current manufacturing plan.

Procurement Execution, Sourcing & Governance

• Own the end-to-end procurement execution cycle, including purchase order creation, supplier confirmation tracking, and delivery management in alignment with corporate policies
• Manage open purchase order portfolios, driving timely supplier responses and resolving discrepancies, delays, and non-compliance
• Enforce adherence to procurement controls, documentation standards, and audit requirements
• Participate in RFQ processes, cost benchmarking, and supplier capability assessments for new sourcing
• Contribute to supply base optimization, including cost reduction, dual sourcing, and risk mitigation initiatives

Procurement & Project Integration

• Act as the primary interface between procurement, production, and project teams to align material availability with system build schedules
• Take ownership of material shortages impacting projects, including root cause identification, recovery planning, and execution tracking
• Analyze inventory, demand signals, and project requirements to proactively identify risks
• Coordinate with suppliers and internal stakeholders to align shipments with required dates
• Ensure material traceability from procurement through receiving, storage, and production usage
• Coordinate with receiving teams to ensure timely intake, inspection, and availability of materials

Engineering Coordination & Change Management

• Ability to partner with Engineering to resolve specification gaps, drawing revisions, and BOM discrepancies
• Drive alignment on alternates, substitutions, and design changes to maintain material availability
• Ensure engineering changes are rapidly translated into procurement actions and supplier execution without impacting timelines

Global Logistics & Material Visibility

• Track inbound shipments across a global supplier network, ensuring visibility from supplier release through delivery
• Maintain visibility of critical components supporting production and project execution

RMA, Quality & Supplier Recovery

• Translate MRB decisions into procurement transactions, including return purchase orders in accordance with corporate procedures

Performance Expectations

• High responsiveness and accuracy in procurement execution
• Strong visibility and control over material flow and project readiness

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in supply chain management, Operations, Engineering, Business Administration, or a related field
• 2 to 5 years of experience in procurement, purchasing, or materials coordination within a manufacturing or industrial environment
• Experience working with ERP systems such as Dynamics NAV or similar
• Strong understanding of procurement processes, supplier management, and material planning
• Candidate will be required to work onsite work in Marlborough, MA

Core Competencies

• Strong ownership mindset with ability to independently drive execution
• Analytical thinking with a structured approach to problem solving
• Effective stakeholder management across cross functional teams and external suppliers
• Ability to operate in a fast paced, deadline driven environment
• High attention to detail with strong organizational discipline

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in global supply chain environments
• Exposure to engineered to order or project-based manufacturing environments