Purchasing - Buyer/Planner

The Planner/Buyer is responsible for ensuring the right parts are available, at the right time and quantity, to meet production plans while minimizing inventory and cost. This role manages day-to-day Planned Order Actions, purchase order follow-up, inventory control, supplier communication, and cross-functional collaboration with Production, Engineering, Quality, and Logistics to support stable manufacturing operations and new product introductions.Key responsibilities

Run and manage MRP/MPS processes to convert demand (forecasts, customer orders, production schedules) into planned receipts.Create, release, and maintain purchase orders and planned orders; expedite and follow up with suppliers to secure on-time delivery.Maintain and optimize inventory levels (safety stock, reorder point, min/max) to meet service targets while minimizing obsolescence and carrying cost.Participate in S&OP / demand-review meetings and contribute materials-impact analysis for forecast changes.Support New Product Introduction (NPI) by planning material releases, identifying and securing critical long-lead items to meet Product release timelines.Perform regular cycle counts and support physical inventory; investigate and correct inventory discrepancies.Liaise with Quality and Engineering on nonconforming materials, part changes, and BOM updates; ensure BOM accuracy within ERP.Monitor supplier performance (on-time delivery, lead time variance) and escalate supply risks proactively.Prepare and maintain planning documentation, reports, and metrics for management (inventory turns, days of inventory, OTIF, forecast accuracy).Drive continuous improvement in planning processes, including automation, BOM clean-up, and lead-time reduction initiatives.Ensure compliance with company purchasing policies, import/export requirements, and record-keeping.Implement data-driven inventory management strategies to mitigate material risks, such as Excess and &Obsolete (E&O) and Purchase Price Variances (PPV).

Required qualifications

Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Industrial Engineering, Business, or related field - or equivalent experience.2+ years' experience in materials planning, production planning, or inventory control in a manufacturing environment (electronics, sensors, medical device or similar preferred).Hands-on experience with MRP/ERP systems (experience with SAP, Oracle, or similar strongly preferred).Strong Excel skills (VLOOKUP/INDEX-MATCH, pivot tables); familiarity with Power BI or other reporting tools a plus.Experience in data analytics and strong ability to build compelling visual presentations using charts and metrics.Excellent communication skills - able to work cross-functionally and with suppliers.Strong problem-solving, and organizational skills; attention to detail and ability to manage competing priorities.Ability to work under pressure to meet production deadlines.

Preferred / nice-to-have

APICS/ASCM CPIM or CSCP certification.Experience with medical device supply chain requirements (traceability, regulatory documentation).Experience supporting NPI and engineering change control.Familiarity with lean manufacturing, Kanban, and continuous improvement tools (5S, Kaizen).

Work environment & physical demands

Primarily office-based at the Fremont facility with regular interaction on the production floor.May require walking/standing in production areas, occasional lifting of small boxes (per site safety policy).Typical hours: Monday-Friday; occasional overtime may be required to resolve supply issues.