Strategic Buyer & Production Planner

Traditions; Old Saybrook (CT); Hybrid; USD 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical & Dental Benefits

Paid Vacations & Holidays

401K Plus Company Match

Job summary

Traditions Performance Firearms is seeking a Buyer/Planner to drive sourcing of materials and manage production planning in a fast-paced environment. You will negotiate with suppliers, build strong relationships, and monitor performance to support cost reductions and reliable delivery.

The role requires ERP/MRP experience, BOM knowledge, and collaboration with quality teams to maintain data integrity and effective reporting.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in supply chain, business, or related field.
• Minimum 3 years in purchasing, sourcing, or production scheduling in manufacturing.
• Proven cost reduction through supplier negotiations or strategic sourcing.
• Experience with ERP/MRP systems and strong Excel skills.
• Solid BOM and packaging knowledge.
• Excellent problem-solving and cross-functional communication.

Responsibilities

• Source, purchase raw materials, finished products, packaging and outsource services.
• Drive supplier negotiations and sourcing strategies focused on cost reductions and on-time deliveries.
• Establish and strengthen supplier relationships to support dependable supply, consistent quality, and ongoing product innovation.
• Track supplier performance and address issues related to pricing, quality, or delivery timelines.
• Establish internal procedures and set up product maintenance in ERP system.
• Create and maintain production schedules that support forecasted demand and internal manufacturing work orders.
• Manage material release timing to ensure uninterrupted production flow and on-time order completion.
• Monitor and adjust inventory levels to maintain efficiency while avoiding excess or shortages.
• Collaborate with quality teams to implement supplier quality program and communicate corrective actions to vendors.
• Collaborate with engineering and operations teams to ensure accuracy of Bills of Material, item records, and supplier data within ERP systems.
• Maintain high standards for data accuracy to support operational planning and business decisions.
• Prepare and distribute reports tracking purchasing performance, cost reduction efforts, and production metrics.
• Follow compliance SOP to maintain licensing.
• Inventory control tracking discrepancies, adjusting and reporting.

Skills

Supplier negotiations

Production scheduling

ERP/MRP experience

Excel proficiency

Cost reduction initiatives

Cross-functional communication

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain/Business/Operations

Tools

ERP/MRP systems

Excel

Job description

Traditions Performance Firearms® is looking for a Buyer/Planner who will be essential to our manufacturing operations, responsible for sourcing critical materials, coordinating production planning, and identifying opportunities to reduce costs throughout the supply chain.

Primary Responsibilities

• Source, purchase raw materials, finished product, packaging and outsource services.
• Drive supplier negotiations and sourcing strategies focused on achieving cost reductions and on time deliveries.
• Establish and strengthen supplier relationships to support dependable supply, consistent quality, and ongoing product innovation.
• Track supplier performance and quickly address issues related to pricing, quality, or delivery timelines.
• Establish internal procedures and set up product maintenance in ERP system.

Production Planning & Material Coordination

• Create and maintain production schedules that support forecasted demand and internal manufacturing work orders.
• Manage material release timing to ensure uninterrupted production flow and on-time order completion.
• Monitor and adjust inventory levels to maintain efficiency while avoiding excess or shortages.
• Collaborate with quality teams to implement supplier quality program and communicate corrective actions to vendors.

Systems, Data Accuracy & Reporting

• Collaborate with engineering and operations teams to ensure accuracy of Bills of Material, item records, and supplier data within ERP systems.
• Maintain high standards for data accuracy to support operational planning and business decisions.
• Prepare and distribute reports tracking purchasing performance, cost reduction efforts, and production metrics.
• Follow compliance SOP to maintain licensing.
• Inventory control tracking discrepancies, adjusting and reporting.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain, Business Administration, Operations Management, or a similar discipline, or comparable hands-on experience.
• Minimum of 3 years working in purchasing, sourcing, or production scheduling in a manufacturing environment.
• Demonstrated success in reducing costs through supplier negotiations, sourcing strategies, or value-driven purchasing initiatives.
• Experience working with ERP or MRP systems along with strong Microsoft Excel capabilities.
• Solid understanding of BOM and packaging production.
• Excellent problem-solving, organizational, and cross-functional communication abilities.
• Comfortable working in a high-volume, fast-moving production setting with tight timelines.
• Competitive Salary/Compensation, Commensurate with Experience
• Medical & Dental Benefits
• Paid Vacations & Holidays
• 401K Plus Company Match

Join Us!

Traditions Performance Firearms is a leader in the muzzleloading and outdoor industry, driving innovation while staying true to the heritage of hunting and shooting sports. As hunters and shooters ourselves, we share our customers’ passion for the outdoors, and it shows in everything we do.

Joining Traditions means becoming part of a family dedicated to supporting hunters, shooters, and outdoor enthusiasts for generations to come.

We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

This position is located in Old Saybrook, Connecticut and is a full time position.

We look forward to receiving your application!