Strategic Buyer & Production Planner

mra; Fort Atkinson (WI); On-site; USD 55,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

American Cable & Harness | Electronic Technologies International in Fort Atkinson, WI, is seeking a Buyer/Planner to manage procurement and production scheduling. You will interpret MRP, obtain supplier quotes, create purchase orders, expedite orders, and align materials with demand to ensure on‑time delivery.

The role collaborates with Production, Engineering, Customer Service, Quality, and Warehouse teams; requires strong organization, analytical ability, and effective communication in a

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in Supply Chain, Business Administration, Operations Management, or related field preferred; equivalent experience considered.
• 2+ years of experience in purchasing, scheduling, quoting, inventory control, or manufacturing operations.
• Working knowledge of MRP/ERP systems, inventory management, and production scheduling.
• Strong analytical, organizational, and problem‑solving skills.
• Excellent communication and cross‑functional collaboration abilities, both internal and external.
• Ability to prioritize and manage multiple responsibilities in a fast‑paced environment while working independently.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office (Excel), ERP systems, and general web browser software.
• Experience in a manufacturing environment preferred.

Responsibilities

• Interpret MRP reports within the ERP system to determine purchasing needs.
• Obtain supplier quotes for raw materials and MRO items, including new sourcing opportunities.
• Create, review, and issue purchase orders, ensuring accuracy of pricing, quantities, lead times, and delivery schedules.
• Follow up on order confirmations and expedite orders as needed.
• Monitor supplier performance related to quality, delivery, responsiveness, and cost.
• Resolve supply chain issues, including material shortages, late deliveries, quality concerns, pricing discrepancies, and receiving issues.
• Evaluate supplier capacity, lead times, and risk to support operational continuity.
• Update item masters in the ERP system with supplier information, quoted lead times, price breaks, and freight agreements.
• Support supply chain cost reduction efforts, including price breaks, freight costs, and lowest total cost initiatives.
• Assist with sourcing new suppliers, products, and materials as needed.
• Support compliance with ISO standards and customer‑specific requirements.
• Maintain purchasing files and support reporting on supplier performance, inventory, and purchasing KPIs.
• Create, monitor, and adjust production schedules based on customer demand, inventory levels, labor availability, and production capacity.
• Coordinate production scheduling activities with Manufacturing, Engineering, Customer Service, Quality, and Warehouse teams.
• Monitor workflow and production schedules to support on‑time delivery performance.
• Identify and communicate production capacity constraints, material shortages, and scheduling conflicts in a timely manner.
• Prioritize production schedules to minimize downtime and maximize operational efficiency.
• Generate scheduling and production reports for leadership review.
• Support the implementation of scheduling process improvements and planning strategies.

Skills

MRP/ERP knowledge

Analytical thinking

Organizational skills

Communication

Independent work

Excel proficiency

Cross-functional collaboration

Problem solving

Education

Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain / related field

Tools

ERP systems

Microsoft Excel

Job description

American Cable & Harness | Electronic Technologies International in Fort Atkinson, WI, is seeking a Buyer/Planner to manage procurement and production scheduling. You will interpret MRP, obtain supplier quotes, create purchase orders, expedite orders, and align materials with demand to ensure on‑time delivery.

The role collaborates with Production, Engineering, Customer Service, Quality, and Warehouse teams; requires strong organization, analytical ability, and effective communication in a