Buyer / Planner

Basic Function

Buyer / Planner responsibilities are to review, and schedule work orders based on capacity and material availability to satisfy customer demands.  To execute Purchase Order releases for the demands associated with his or her assigned commodities. The Buyer / Planner is to utilize the ERP systems to plan, purchase, schedule and coordinate business requirements necessary for on-time production.  Function within policies and guidelines set forth by the Organization, establish production schedules and coordinate sources of supply for assigned material commodities with regard to total cost, quality, timely delivery and reliability. Buyer / Planner will have ownership of all the Inventory associated with the assigned commodities [item classes]. 

       Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Plan / Purchase and schedule production activities to achieve customer needs, marketing requirements, inventory and service level objectives while always ensuring a continuous production flow to manufacturing.

• Based on business activity level, provide sales and business teams lead times for products.

• Based on business activity level, manage the inventory to meet set goals for active, slow and obsolete inventory, while ensuring high levels of on-time delivery to customer requests.

• Review schedules in production meeting to report the status of the supply chain. Advises appropriate individuals and departments of any delivery deviations that effect scheduled manufacturing orders.

• Manage supply chain and production activity to ensure lead-times are maintained at a competitive level. Use macro level activity trending to recommend changes to resource levels.

• Facilitate and encourage use of toolbox i.e. MRD and/or Kanban (visual inventory management from shop-floor), in-lining and USA in production. Demonstrate use of these techniques in various aspects of the job.

• Release shop floor orders to production and strive to maximize on time delivery performance of assigned product line, use Auto Scheduling when possible.

• Understand and communicate component specifications to suppliers, including the ability to read drawings.

• Achieves metrics and objectives while working successfully in a team environment.

• Regular attendance and the ability to follow all safety procedures.

• Processes Engineering Change Notices (ECNs) in a timely manner and updates open Purchase Orders with suppliers to ensure correct revision levels are produced and delivered to Brooks.

• Supports and manages assigned commodities which are identified in MRB, processes returns and ensures timely replacement and/or credit is processed from supplier.  

• Supports and implements company continuous improvement initiatives to ensure departmental goals and metrics are met.

• Functioning within policies and guidelines set forth by the Brooks Instrument Division/ITW.

• Follows all Brooks attendance and safety procedures.

• Successfully performs other duties as assigned.

Education and Experience

Required

• 5 or more years professional experience in a manufacturing environment, which includes Planning, Buying and Inventory Control functions.

• Bachelor’s degree required.   

• A high level of interpersonal and communication skills to work across functional and organizational lines.

• Comfortable with the use of computers and other electronic media including an understanding of word processing and Excel spreadsheet software.  Effective written and verbal communication.

• Highly adaptable and flexible to accept new ideas, people, and procedures and adapt to a changing environment.  The ability to organize and prioritize work to meet deadlines.

Additional Preferred

• Professional Certification APICS/CPIM.

• Experience with AS400 / MAPICS ERP highly desirable

Physical Demands

The physical demands of kneeling, reaching, standing, walking, lifting, talking, hearing, and repetitive motions are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of the position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these essential functions of the position.

Work Environment