Strategic Manufacturing Buyer – Materials & Inventory

IMCS Group; Greenfield (IN); On-site; USD 70,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

IMCS Group in Mt. Comfort, IN is seeking a self-motivated Buyer to support material planning, supplier coordination, inventory management, and production continuity at a manufacturing facility.

The role focuses on planning and scheduling deliveries, preventing shortages, and maintaining inventory levels to meet production and customer service needs. Experience with metals and ERP platforms is highly valued.

Qualifications

• 2+ years of manufacturing Planner/Buyer experience.
• Experience with production planning, purchasing, and supplier scheduling.
• Experience with inventory management and MRP processes.
• Knowledge of lean manufacturing, Kanban, and JIT systems.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Analytical, organizational, and problem-solving abilities.
• Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.
• Ability to collaborate with suppliers, production, quality, accounting, and other cross-functional teams.

Responsibilities

• Review and analyze material requisitions to determine quantities, specifications, and delivery requirements.
• Select and recommend suppliers from approved supplier lists to support scheduled plant deliveries.
• Monitor purchased materials and proactively identify potential shortages that could impact production.
• Maintain appropriate inventory levels, safety stock, and material planning parameters.
• Coordinate with Production Planning and other internal teams to ensure continuity of supply.
• Expedite supplier deliveries when necessary to meet critical production requirements.
• Communicate forecasts, replenishment plans, and material requirements to suppliers.
• Monitor supplier performance related to delivery, quality, pricing, and responsiveness.
• Work with suppliers and Quality Assurance teams to resolve quality issues and implement corrective actions.
• Conduct supplier onboarding, training, site visits, and audits as required.
• Analyze inventory requirements for supplier-managed, consigned, SOMI, and VMI programs.
• Maintain accurate item master and supplier lead-time information based on demand, capacity, constraints, and process improvements.
• Review open purchase requirements and take appropriate action to prevent delays or shortages.
• Coordinate with production planners when suppliers cannot meet committed delivery dates.
• Resolve supplier invoicing and pricing discrepancies in coordination with Accounting.
• Analyze material and capacity availability to support customer promise dates.
• Maintain knowledge of product specifications, options, substitutions, and critical components.
• Evaluate alternate material and supply options when critical shortages occur.
• Develop and maintain knowledge of supplier processes, capabilities, and manufacturing practices.
• Apply Kanban, JIT, MRP, and lean manufacturing principles to support efficient material flow.
• Maintain ABC classifications and other planning inputs used for production and inventory management.
• Support continuous improvement initiatives related to supplier performance, inventory, and material planning.
• Build strong working relationships with internal teams and external suppliers.
• Provide training and guidance to peers when needed.

Skills

Manufacturing Planner/Buyer experience

Lean manufacturing

MRP / ERP knowledge

Strong communication

Analytical & problem-solving

Time management

Tools

ERP systems

Microsoft Excel

Job description

IMCS Group in Mt. Comfort, IN is seeking a self-motivated Buyer to support material planning, supplier coordination, inventory management, and production continuity at a manufacturing facility.

The role focuses on planning and scheduling deliveries, preventing shortages, and maintaining inventory levels to meet production and customer service needs. Experience with metals and ERP platforms is highly valued.