Buyer Planner

Buyer Planner

Join a growing business. Own the buying decisions. Help keep production moving.

Steel & O'Brien is growing, and our business is expanding with it. We’re looking for a Buyer / Material Planner who can turn demand into action—making smart purchasing decisions, protecting material availability, and helping improve the systems and processes that support our operations.

If you enjoy working with ERP/MRP systems, solving supply challenges, partnering with suppliers, and seeing the direct impact of your decisions on manufacturing performance, this is a role where you can make a difference.

What You’ll Do

In this role, you’ll be responsible for the day-to-day buying and material-planning activities that support production and customer demand.

You will:

• Review forecasted and actual demand and translate it into purchasing action.
• Manage SKUs, planning parameters, inventory reservations, and requisition worksheets in Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central.
• Create, release, and manage purchase orders based on demand and MRP recommendations.
• Monitor inventory levels and identify potential shortages, excess inventory, and supply risks.
• Manage purchase order and inventory reservations to help prevent misallocation and stockouts.
• Create Hub-to-facility inventory transfers based on production requirements.
• Confirm supplier delivery dates, follow up on open orders, and proactively expedite materials when needed.
• Work closely with Planning, Program Management, Manufacturing, Warehouse, Quality, Engineering, Customer Service, and Finance.
• Analyze purchasing and inventory data to identify trends and improvement opportunities.
• Help improve procurement processes, ERP workflows, planning accuracy, and supplier performance.

What We’re Looking For

We’re looking for someone who is analytical, organized, proactive, and comfortable making decisions in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.

Ideal candidates will bring:

• 3+ years of experience in purchasing, procurement, material planning, buyer/planning, or a related supply-chain role.
• Experience in a manufacturing or distribution environment.
• Strong understanding of MRP and inventory planning.
• Experience with Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central or another ERP/MRP system preferred.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent attention to detail and follow-through.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and changing demands.
• Strong communication and relationship-building skills with both suppliers and internal teams.
• Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain, Business, Operations, or a related field preferred, or equivalent experience.
• APICS/CPIM, CPM, or similar certification is a plus.

Why Join Steel & O'Brien?

This is more than a transactional purchasing role.

You’ll have the opportunity to:

• Make a direct impact on production, inventory availability, and customer delivery.
• Support a high-growth Data Center Cooling business serving a rapidly evolving market.
• Own meaningful purchasing and planning decisions rather than simply processing orders.
• Help improve our systems and processes as the business continues to scale.
• Work across functions with Planning, Operations, Engineering, Quality, Finance, and Program Management.
• Build your career in a collaborative manufacturing organization where initiative and continuous improvement are valued.

Our Culture

At Steel & O'Brien, we believe strong results come from strong teams.

Our culture is built around Integrity, Trust, Creativity & Courage, Teamwork, and Excellence. We value people who communicate openly, solve problems collaboratively, take ownership, and look for better ways to work.

Working Environment

This position operates in a fast-paced manufacturing environment and may include regular interaction with production and warehouse operations. The role may involve standing, walking, exposure to manufacturing noise and temperature variations, and occasional lifting of up to 50 pounds.

Regular and reliable attendance is required.

Ready to put your purchasing and planning experience to work in a growing business where your decisions matter? Apply today.

ACCOMMODATIONS: Essential functions of this position may include but are not limited to lifting, reaching, bending, stooping, twisting, kneeling, crouching, carrying objects, ascending/descending stairs and commuting to work location. If you are an individual with a disability and need a reasonable accommodation to perform the essential job functions under the Americans with Disability Act (ADA) or other state or federal law, you may request the accommodation below.