Senior Buyer/Planner

Leoforce; Costa Mesa (CA); On-site; USD 100,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Leoforce, a life sciences-focused organization, is seeking a Senior Buyer/Planner to lead procurement, supplier management, and strategic planning in the United States and Canada. The role requires strong experience in planning, purchasing, and cross-functional collaboration within a CDMO-like environment.

Responsibilities include developing integrated demand and procurement plans, negotiating contracts, and ensuring timely material flow.

Qualifications

• Five or more years of experience in supply chain, manufacturing, or related support functions within the life sciences industry.
• Experience in aseptic manufacturing is preferred.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office, ERP systems, and MRP systems.
• Proven experience in planning, procurement, and vendor management within a CDMO environment.

Responsibilities

• Create and maintain an integrated planning process that aligns leadership, Business Development, and Supply Chain with the demand plan while clearly communicating the plan’s assumptions, risks, and opportunities.
• Identify and select suppliers, negotiate contracts, and ensure the timely and cost-effective procurement of raw materials, components, and other necessary supplies.
• Collaborate with internal stakeholders, including MicrOur Clientology, Analytical, Manufacturing, and Quality Assurance, to provide purchasing support and ensure alignment on vendor selection and performance.
• Utilize supply management software and tools to develop and implement long- and short-term supply chain strategies.
• Identify opportunities for process improvement within the supply chain and implement best practices and lean methodologies to improve efficiency and reduce costs.
• Negotiate, renegotiate, and manage contractual arrangements with suppliers, vendors, and other representatives to secure competitive pricing and favorable terms.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams, including Manufacturing, Quality Assurance, and Project Management, to create accurate demand forecasts and production plans.
• Monitor delivery dates to ensure goods arrive on time. When issues occur, trace shipments and follow up on delayed or undelivered goods.
• Work with internal teams and vendors to address defective or unacceptable goods or services and determine the appropriate corrective action.
• Manage material flow, inventory control, and inventory accuracy by overseeing daily warehouse activities, cycle counts, expiration dates, production orders, and audits.
• Manage product storage and distribution operations.
• Collaborate with Quality Assurance to support vendor qualification, maintain vendor status, and qualify incoming materials.
• Research and evaluate suppliers based on pricing, quality, product selection, service, support, availability, reliability, production and distribution capabilities, reputation, and performance history.
• Analyze sales records and current inventory levels to develop strategic purchasing programs that ensure employees have access to necessary supplies.
• Interview vendors to evaluate products, services, capabilities, and pricing.
• Develop procurement policies and implement new purchasing strategies and procedures.
• Manage and optimize supply chain and related manufacturing processes to improve efficiency, reduce waste, and maintain product quality, including supporting change controls, deviations, and CAPAs.
• Help foster a culture of accountability, safety, and continuous improvement.
• Develop and evaluate short- and long-range procurement plans.
• Perform other related duties and responsibilities as assigned.

Skills

Procurement

Vendor management

Supply chain planning

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in supply chain, logistics, engineering, life sciences, or a related field

Tools

ERP systems

MRP systems

Microsoft Office

Job description

Senior Buyer/Planner

United States, Canada

Experience

Senior Level

Salary

$100,000 - $120,000 per year

Job Details

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Create and maintain an integrated planning process that aligns leadership, Business Development, and Supply Chain with the demand plan while clearly communicating the plan’s assumptions, risks, and opportunities.
• Identify and select suppliers, negotiate contracts, and ensure the timely and cost-effective procurement of raw materials, components, and other necessary supplies.
• Collaborate with internal stakeholders, including MicrOur Clientology, Analytical, Manufacturing, and Quality Assurance, to provide purchasing support and ensure alignment on vendor selection and performance.
• Utilize supply management software and tools to develop and implement long- and short-term supply chain strategies.
• Identify opportunities for process improvement within the supply chain and implement best practices and lean methodologies to improve efficiency and reduce costs.
• Negotiate, renegotiate, and manage contractual arrangements with suppliers, vendors, and other representatives to secure competitive pricing and favorable terms.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams, including Manufacturing, Quality Assurance, and Project Management, to create accurate demand forecasts and production plans.
• Monitor delivery dates to ensure goods arrive on time. When issues occur, trace shipments and follow up on delayed or undelivered goods.
• Work with internal teams and vendors to address defective or unacceptable goods or services and determine the appropriate corrective action.
• Manage material flow, inventory control, and inventory accuracy by overseeing daily warehouse activities, cycle counts, expiration dates, production orders, and audits.
• Manage product storage and distribution operations.
• Collaborate with Quality Assurance to support vendor qualification, maintain vendor status, and qualify incoming materials.
• Research and evaluate suppliers based on pricing, quality, product selection, service, support, availability, reliability, production and distribution capabilities, reputation, and performance history.
• Analyze sales records and current inventory levels to develop strategic purchasing programs that ensure employees have access to necessary supplies.
• Interview vendors to evaluate products, services, capabilities, and pricing.
• Develop procurement policies and implement new purchasing strategies and procedures.
• Manage and optimize supply chain and related manufacturing processes to improve efficiency, reduce waste, and maintain product quality, including supporting change controls, deviations, and CAPAs.
• Help foster a culture of accountability, safety, and continuous improvement.
• Develop and evaluate short- and long-range procurement plans.
• Perform other related duties and responsibilities as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

• Five or more years of experience in supply chain, manufacturing, or related support functions within the life sciences industry.
• Experience in aseptic manufacturing is preferred.
• Bachelor’s degree in supply chain, logistics, engineering, life sciences, or a related field.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office, ERP systems, and MRP systems.
• Proven experience in planning, procurement, and vendor management within a CDMO environment.

A bit about us

We’re a growing contract development and manufacturing organization that partners with biopharmaceutical companies from early-stage process development through commercial manufacturing.

Why join us?

• Join a growing life sciences organization supporting the development and manufacturing of products that make a meaningful impact.
• Take ownership of supply chain strategy, procurement, vendor management, inventory, and material planning.
• Work closely with leadership and cross-functional teams across Manufacturing, Quality, Business Development, and Project Management.
• Help improve processes, reduce costs, and build a more efficient and scalable supply chain operation.
• Be part of a quality-driven environment that values accountability, collaboration, safety, and continuous improvement.