Buyer Planner I

Position Summary

The Buyer Planner is responsible for planning, directing, and controlling the purchasing and inventory planning of select products/components using lean manufacturing principles. This role involves managing administrative controls, documentation, and communications for these products/components. Key interactions include Sales and Marketing, Customer Service, Purchasing, Engineering, Quality Control, and Manufacturing. Responsibilities include updating and maintaining material planning information and exercising sound judgment in purchasing a variety of technical and non-technical items required for production, maintenance, and research activities. The role also involves selecting vendors, placing purchase orders, and approving invoices for necessary materials or services.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Material planning for assigned commodity groups.
• Analyze, evaluate, and monitor inventory to support the business.
• Adjust material plans to reflect changes in the forecast and/or business levels.
• Support cost reduction initiatives.
• Complete action items required for new product introductions (NPI), Product Change Notices (PCN), and Product Design Reviews (PDR).
• Purchase MRO supplies as needed.
• Process capital expenditure requests.
• Track insurance for international ocean & air shipments at the end of each month. Submit and follow up on all freight claims.
• Maintain material master data within SAP.
• Create new supplier and material numbers in SAP.
• Provide supplier performance scorecards as recommended by QA and update vendor information records.
• Support other Buyer/Planners as needed.
• Assist in the company's annual physical inventory.
• Visit vendors in coordination with the Purchasing Manager.
• Handle quality issues, including initiating debit memos, NCMR reports, CPARS reports, and all vendor returns.
• Send out the commodity price index and the current exchange rates monthly.
• Perform other related duties as necessary.

Qualifications

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below represent the knowledge, skills, and abilities required. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Qualifications:

• A bachelor's degree in Purchasing, Supply Chain Management, Manufacturing, or Business is preferred.
• Minimum of one (1) year of work-related experience or an equivalent combination of education and experience is preferred.
• Experience with International Purchasing is preferred.
• Experience in the fluid power industry and/or manufacturing environment is preferred.

Skills and Abilities:

• Excellent knowledge of ERP software, SAP experience is a plus.
• Two years' experience with Microsoft Office products (Excel, Word, PowerPoint).

Certificates and Licenses:

• Completion of APICS or ISM-sponsored classes and/or APICS CPIM or ISM CSM/CPSM certification is preferred.

Other Requirements:

• Excellent multi-tasking and organizational skills.

Working Environment

Office environment in a manufacturing facility.

Physical Requirements

• Physical Abilities:
  • Stand: Frequently
  • Walk: Frequently
  • Sit: Constantly
  • Handling/Fingering: Constantly
  • Reach Outward: Occasionally
  • Reach Above Shoulder: Occasionally
  • Climb: Not Applicable
  • Crawl: Not Applicable
  • Squat or Kneel: Not Applicable
  • Bend: Not Applicable
• Lift / Carry:
  • 10 lbs. or less: Occasionally
  • 11-20 lbs.: Occasionally
  • 21-50 lbs.: Not Applicable
  • 51-100 lbs.: Not Applicable
  • Over 100 lbs.: Not Applicable
• Push / Pull:
  • 12 lbs. or less: Occasionally
  • 13-25 lbs.: Not Applicable
  • 26-40 lbs.: Not Applicable
  • 41-100 lbs.: Not Applicable

Safety and Personal Protective Equipment

Must adhere to all safety rules in force for the location you are in while performing your job responsibilities. This includes at a customer or supplier location. Must meet requirements for PPE in specific manufacturing areas, including safety shoes and safety glasses.

Location

This position is based in Leetsdale, PA, a charming borough located along the Ohio River, known for its rich history and close-knit community. It offers a peaceful suburban atmosphere while being conveniently close to the amenities of Pittsburgh.

Benefits
PEAK's benefit offerings available for our associates include medical, dental, vision, Flexible Spending Account (FSA), Dependent Care Savings Account (DCA), and 401K plan. PEAK believes that taking care of our team is essential for success and we are proud to provide benefits that enhance both your well-being and your future. Additionally, our associates may be eligible for Paid Sick Leave as required by Federal, State, or local laws.  

Equal Opportunity Employer (EEO) 
PEAK Technical Staffing is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment and is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. PEAK does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, or veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. All employment decisions are made based on qualifications, merit, and business need. We encourage all individuals to apply. 

Americans Disabilities Act (ADA) 
The physical and mental requirements described in this job description 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 qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Must be able to perform the essential physical functions of the position, including sitting, standing, walking, stooping, kneeling, and lifting up to 25 pounds, with or without reasonable accommodation. 

Candidate Privacy
To read our Candidate Privacy Information Statement, which explains how we will use your information, please navigate to https://peaktechnical.com/privacy-policy/ and https://peaktechnical.com/ca-residents-privacy-rights/  

AI Recruiting Disclosure 
We use AI-assisted tools to help review applications and compare your experience to job requirements, but all hiring decisions are made by human recruiters. You may request a human-only process or opt out of automated communication at any time. Required notices and our latest bias audit are available on our website: www.peaktechnical.com/ai-disclosure.