Senior Buyer / Planner

Comfort Research LLC; Grand Rapids (MI); Hybrid; USD 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

PTO

Culture Awards & extra PTO

Holidays

Employee Assistance Program

Family bonus & PTO for new parents

Referral Bonus

401(k) with match

Health insurance options

Dental & vision insurance

Short-Term Disability

Life Insurance

Employee discounts

Job summary

Comfort Research is seeking an experienced Buyer/Planner to manage material procurement and inventory planning to ensure uninterrupted production and on‑time delivery. The role blends hands‑on purchasing execution with analytical planning, supplier management, and continuous improvement.

The position is hybrid, with 3 days per week on-site at 1719 Elizabeth Ave NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49504; remote days offer flexible balance for collaboration and execution.

Qualifications

• BA/BS in Business, Finance, Operations, or Supply Chain.
• 5–7 years of professional experience in Supply Chain or Operations.
• Manufacturing background with procurement, inventory, planning experience.
• Advanced MS Excel and data analytics; ERP systems experience.
• APICS certification is a plus, not required.
• Strong analytical, organizational, and presentation skills; team oriented.

Responsibilities

• Procure materials and maintain supply plans supporting production and demand.
• Monitor inventory, demand, and supplier performance; adjust PO and plans.
• Lead supplier relationships to improve cost, quality, lead times, on‑time delivery.
• Identify cost reductions via supplier development and process improvements.
• Drive improvements using ERP, AI tools, and automation.
• Perform data analytics to improve planning accuracy and procurement efficiency.
• Optimize inventory levels, safety stock, reorder points, and planning parameters.
• Mitigate out-of-stock risks and disruptions; develop mitigation plans.
• Review supplier quotations; advise sourcing decisions based on total cost and risk.
• Collaborate with Sourcing, Product Development, and Operations for launches.
• Coordinate supplier corrective actions and non-conforming materials resolution.
• Manage inbound logistics with suppliers, freight, and customs brokers.

Skills

MS Excel

ERP systems

Data analytics

Analytical thinking

Organizational skills

Communication & teamwork

Education

BA/BS in Business, Finance, Operations, or Supply Chain

APICS CPIM/CSCP certification a plus

Tools

ERP tools

Job description

Description

Comfort Research is seeking an experienced Buyer/Planner to play a key role in supporting our supply chain by managing material procurement and inventory planning to ensure uninterrupted production and on-time customer delivery. This role blends hands-on purchasing execution with analytical planning, inventory management, supplier relationship management, and risk mitigation. The ideal candidate will enjoy collaborating cross-functionally to optimize inventory levels, strengthen supplier reliability, manage costs, and support the company's growth initiatives.

HERE'S WHAT YOU'LL DO

• Demonstrate the Core Values of Comfort Research in daily actions, execution of tasks, and interactions with others.
• Utilize ERP, MRP, and planning tools to procure assigned materials and maintain supply plans that support production and customer demand.
• Monitor demand, inventory, and supplier performance; adjust purchase orders and supply plans to ensure material availability.
• Lead supplier relationships to improve cost, quality, lead times, and on-time delivery performance.
• Identify and implement cost reduction opportunities through supplier development, sourcing alternatives, and process improvements.
• Drive continuous improvement through the use of ERP systems, AI tools, and automation.
• Perform data analytics to improve planning accuracy, inventory performance, and procurement efficiency.
• Analyze and optimize inventory, safety stock, reorder points, and planning parameters to support service level goals while minimizing excess inventory.
• Identify out-of-stock risks, supply constraints, and potential disruptions; develop and execute mitigation plans to maintain continuity of supply.
• Review supplier quotations and competitive bids, recommending sourcing decisions based on total cost, quality, risk, and delivery performance.
• Partner with Sourcing, Product Development, and Operations to support new product launches, product transitions, and strategic initiatives.
• Coordinate supplier corrective actions and resolution of non-conforming materials, ensuring appropriate disposition, credits, and root-cause corrective actions.
• Manage inbound logistics activities, including coordination with suppliers, freight providers, and customs brokers to ensure timely delivery of materials.
• Maintain accurate supplier, lead-time, inventory, and planning data within ERP and planning systems.
• Support the Supply Chain team in achieving departmental goals, KPI targets, and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Contribute to a positive, collaborative, and engaging work environment.
• HAVE FUN!
• Other duties as assigned by leadership.

This position is a hybrid role, requiring 3 days per week on-site at our office located at 1719 Elizabeth Ave NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49504. The remaining workdays can be completed remotely, providing a flexible balance between in-office collaboration and remote work convenience. Candidates should be within commuting distance of our Grand Rapids location.

OUR AWESOME BENEFITS

Here at Comfort Research, we believe that the health and well-being of our Ambassadors and their families is critical to their success in the workplace. Comfort Research offers a generous benefits program that includes:

• Generous Paid Time Off (PTO) plan that begins accruing upon hire for eligible Ambassadors
• Culture Awards program with opportunities to win cash prizes or extra PTO in addition to company-wide recognition
• Several paid holidays throughout the year
• Employee Assistance Program
• Growing family bonus & extra PTO for new parents
• Referral Bonus program
• 401(k) program with a generous company match
• A variety of health insurance plans with company contributions to premiums
• Dental, vision, and other ancillary insurance coverages available
• Company-paid Short-Term Disability coverage
• Company-paid Life Insurance policy
• Exclusive employee discounts on Big Joe products

WHO WE ARE

Comfort Research is leading the furniture industry in innovative and affordable design and manufacturing. We’ve listened to the growing demand for quality, modern, leading-edge furniture and have responded with a bang! Today, you can find our products at all your favorite retailers, like Walmart, Meijer, and Amazon (to name a few). But that’s just the beginning. We’re on our way to realizing our dream of becoming the "Best Known Brand in Furniture,” and we’re pretty excited about it.

As we’ve grown, we’ve continued to be recognized as a Great Place to Work—and we’ve remained committed to building a positive culture and creating a dynamic, fun atmosphere. We believe in hard work and we live by our core values of: Finding A Better Way, Doing the Right Thing, and Expecting the Best from Each Other and Ourselves. At Comfort Research, the pace is fast, the work is anything but boring, and the result is always more Comfort for All.

Requirements

• BA/BS degree in Business, Finance, Operations, or Supply Chain.
• 5-7 years of professional experience in Supply Chain or Operations.
• Minimum 5 years of prior experience in a manufacturing company, with a background in procurement, inventory management, new product development, and planning.
• Advanced knowledge of MS Office software and ERP systems, with emphasis on MS Excel & data analytics.
• APICS (CPIM, CSCP) certification in supply chain management is a plus, but not required.
• This position requires strong analytical, organizational, decision-making, and presentation skills
• Team-oriented and excellent communication skills are essential.
• Willingness and ability to work in a global, multi-cultural environment with good interpersonal skills.

Comfort Research is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, disability, marital status, familial status, sexual orientation, or any other characteristic protected by applicable laws. We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive workplace and encourage applications from all qualified individuals.