Associate Buyer Planner
Salary Range: $56,000-$70,000 annually
Work Authorization: This position is not eligible for employment visa sponsorship now or in the future. Applicants must be authorized to work in the United States without current or future sponsorship.
Position Summary
We are seeking a motivated, analytical professional who wants to build a career in supply chain. Previous supply chain experience is a plus, but we also value curiosity, accountability, problem-solving ability, and a strong drive to learn.
This role provides hands-on experience in demand planning, purchasing, supplier performance, inventory optimization, and material availability across a global product portfolio. We're looking for someone who asks good questions, follows through, learns quickly, and takes increasing ownership as their skills grow.
Primary Performance Objectives
- Support material availability while balancing inventory, working capital, and excess and obsolete inventory.
- Partner with S&OP and cross-functional teams to support demand and supply planning.
- Monitor supplier quality, cost, capacity, lead times, and delivery performance.
- Support supplier transfers and new product introductions without disrupting supply.
- Identify and implement process improvements that increase efficiency.
- Proactively identify supply issues and help resolve them before they impact customers.
Key Responsibilities
- Support inventory and supply performance for an assigned Product Franchise.
- Analyze demand, inventory, and supplier data to support planning and purchasing decisions.
- Utilize SAP and planning tools to maintain accurate material requirements and master data.
- Monitor supplier performance and support corrective actions and continuous improvement.
- Support sourcing activities, supplier evaluations, negotiations, and relationship management.
- Review supply and demand variances and help mitigate shortages, backorders, and excess inventory.
- Partner with Engineering, Quality, Regulatory, Marketing, Finance, and Operations on supplier qualification and new product introductions.
- Turn data into actionable recommendations and communicate effectively with internal
teams and suppliers.
- Demonstrate Highridge Medical values: Radical Responsiveness, Relentless Grit, and
Remarkable Results.
Success in This Role Looks Like
- You take increasing ownership of your product area and responsibilities.
- You identify problems, ask questions, and work toward solutions.
- You use data to make informed decisions and recommendations.
- You build strong relationships with suppliers and cross-functional partners.
- You follow through, communicate proactively, and continuously improve.
- You become a trusted and increasingly independent member of the supply chain team.
Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain, Business, Engineering, Operations, or a related field
preferred.
- Supply chain, purchasing, planning, logistics, manufacturing, or related experience is a
plus, including internships or relevant coursework.
- Strong analytical skills and proficiency with Microsoft Excel.
- SAP, ERP, Power BI, or similar systems experience is a plus.
- Strong problem-solving, organizational, and communication skills.
- Ability to learn quickly, manage priorities, and work effectively across teams.
- APICS certification or regulated manufacturing experience is a plus, not required.
Characteristics of a High Performer
- Takes initiative and ownership.
- Curious and eager to learn.
- Uses data and technology to solve problems.
- Learns quickly and applies feedback.
- Thrives in a fast-paced, changing environment.
- Communicates proactively and follows through.
- Continuously looks for ways to improve.
- Motivated to grow and take on increasing responsibility.