Supply Chain Buyer Planner

Xact Metal, Inc.; State College (Centre County); On-site; USD 65,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

Xact Metal, Inc. in State College, PA is seeking a Supply Chain Buyer Planner to support purchasing, scheduling, and inventory control. You will work with the VP-Operations to learn manufacturing and global supply chain dynamics, focusing on supplier management, risk mitigation, and ERP coordination.

The role covers forecasting, vendor negotiations, and creating efficient purchasing cycles to ensure timely material flow and production continuity.

Qualifications

• B.S. degree in operations management, business administration, or equivalent business operations experience.
• Certificate in supply and/or logistics management is desirable.

Responsibilities

• Assist in forecasting and planning raw and finished materials delivery and distribution costs.
• Establish optimal purchase quantities, quality requirements, and budget impact.
• Develop knowledge of material providers and manage suppliers to reduce costs and improve quality.
• Assist in negotiating contracts covering costs, warranties, delivery, and penalties.
• Manage purchasing cycle: requisitions, PO creation, follow-up, goods reception, final payment.
• Monitor supplier delivery schedules and expedit orders as needed.
• Manage inventory to ensure continuous production and minimize investment.
• Monitor and report KPIs like Purchase Price Variance and supplier performance.
• Maintain Material Item Masters, Bills of Materials, Routings, and ERP inputs.

Skills

Forecasting

Supplier relationship management

Negotiation

Inventory management

Purchasing

Risk management

Scheduling

Education

B.S. in Operations Management

B.S. in Business Administration

Certificate in Supply Chain Management

Tools

ERP systems

Job description

Supply Chain Buyer Planner

Metal additive manufacturing technology, powered by 3D printing, has evolved from a niche tool used primarily in university research to an industry tool for developing and manufacturing products faster and at lower cost. Xact Metal, headquartered in State College, PA, is making metal additive manufacturing systems affordable for small- to mid-sized companies that need prototyping, casting, tooling, and printing of small parts but could not afford metal powder-bed fusion systems in the past.

Xact Metal is ready to hire a smart Supply Chain professional for a Buyer-Planner position. The Buyer-Planner will work closely with the company’s VP-Operations to learn all aspects of manufacturing and global supply chain dynamics. The scope of responsibility for this position will encompass purchasing, scheduling, assisting in product and service scheduling, inventory management, risk management, supplier relationship management, and assisting with enterprise resource planning.

EXAMPLES OF GENERAL DUTIES INCLUDE (but are not limited to):

• Assist in forecasting and planning raw and finished materials delivery and distribution costs
• Establishing specifications in terms of optimal quantity to purchase, quality required, and the cost impact on budget, and acting to competitively purchase materials and services related to production
• Developing an effective, working knowledge of materials and material providers and service providers who are best able to support company goals; managing suppliers to reduce costs, improving quality, controlling inventories, and ensuring timely flow of material
• Assist in negotiating contracts that include costs, warranties, delivery, handling, and penalties for late delivery or cost overruns.
• Managing the purchasing cycle, including generating requisitions, PO creation, PO follow-up, goods reception, and final payment.
• Monitoring supplier delivery schedules; routinely communicating with suppliers to expedite orders when needed
• Managing inventory to ensure continuous production and the uninterrupted flow of materials and services while keeping inventory investment to a minimum and maximizing turns
• Monitoring and reporting key performance metrics, including Purchase Price Variance, inventories, shortages, and supplier performance.
• Maintaining Material Item Masters, Bills of Materials, Routings, Production Revisions, and other ERP inputs for manufactured items
• Working with suppliers, company team members, and management to resolve materials and/or supply chain issues and actively engaging with management to present and evaluate process improvements

MINIMUM JOB ENTRY REQUIREMENTS:

B.S. degree in operations management, B.S degree in business management or business administration (with a certificate in supply and/or logistics management; business management desired), or equivalent business operations experience.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

The physical requirements described here are representative of those that an employee must meet to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.

• Generally, work is performed in an office environment, but some duties are performed in a light manufacturing setting. This environment generally requires regular, repetitive motions, exposure to loud noises or hazardous materials (such as laser technology), and the use of safety equipment and adherence to safety protocols.
• This position also requires some time spent using computer equipment, which involves regular, repetitive motions. Must be able to remain in a stationary position 50% of the time.
• Must be able to bend, climb stairs, and continuously stand or walk 75% of the time. Must be able to move within and between the office and the production area to reach file cabinets, office machinery, etc.
• Must be able to lift/maneuver/move objects weighing up to 5 pounds and occasionally lift/maneuver/move objects weighing up to 20 pounds
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, being able to tell differences between colors, shades, and brightness, and the ability to adjust focus
• Hear sounds and recognize the difference between them; focus on one source of sound and ignore others
• Regularly possess manual/finger/hand dexterity to handle, manipulate, control, feel, and adjust objects to put parts or pieces together quickly and accurately; sufficient hand strength is required to be able to effectively operate small safety equipment and hand tools, materials, and/or components
• Regularly speak clearly so listeners can understand; regularly understand the speech of another person

• Applicants must be authorized to work full-time in the United States. The company does not sponsor work visas.
• Local applicants or those who can report to work punctually at the company’s office in State College, PA, during normal work hours (and as needed) to meet business requirements are encouraged to apply.

The company reserves the right to alter, change, modify, and/or terminate this job posting. Xact Metal is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Reasonable accommodation may be provided to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential job functions. If you need a reasonable accommodation because of a disability for any part of the employment process, please email [e-mail] with the nature of your request and your contact information. The Company reserves the right to alter, change, modify, and/or terminate this posting without notice or obligation. No recruiters, please; applicants only.