Buyer/ Planner

Position: Buyer/Planner II

Location: Auburn, Alabama 36832

Duration: 6 Months

Reports To:  Materials Manager
Position Summary: Leading and implementing improved methods for raw material purchasing and planning to support the manufacturing operation in meeting customer delivery requirements.  Single point accountability for detailed production planning, scheduling & follow up of production schedule fulfillment while balancing between inventory & service, cost & inventory of assigned categories of Make To Stock and Make To Order products, ensuring high levels of order fulfillment and inventory optimization. Essential Functions & Responsibilities:Production Planning:

• Back Order Management (MTS & MTO): Responsible for achieving and maintaining specified MTS/MTO Back Order objectives, driving optimal order fulfillment levels.
• Take all reasonable steps to avoid back order positions on all categories under direct or indirect management, and expeditiously resolve back orders should they arise, seeking out root causes and taking ownership for driving corrective actions.
• Escalate and resolve issues where there is a reason to believe that extraordinary risk, duration, or magnitude of back order position exists.
• Inventory Planning and Management:
• Achieve and maintain specified Inventory Optimization plans, driving optimal Inventory levels and minimizing Excess & Obsolete inventory risk.
• Safety Stock Management  Actively maintain adequate safety stocks to ensure Back Order goals are met through judicious use of inventory and identify anomalies in demand or supply that require timely updating of safety stock targets to insure uninterrupted supply.
• Capacity Planning and Management - Maintain valid Capacity plans for each category such that all key variances are identified and communicated to stakeholders for course correction or acknowledgment of departure from plan.
• Data Management - Make good use of all relevant tools, and take ownership for identification of and resolution of all data quality issues that may hinder the execution of duties within category and across sites where applicable.
• Detailed Production Scheduling
• Define and publish daily production schedule based on established finished goods parameters
• Lead daily production scheduling review meeting and establish business production priorities
• Identify risks and barriers preventing production flow

Buying

• Plan and execute procurement of services, components and raw materials from domestic and international suppliers. 
• Ensure that raw material and packaging components are available on time to support requirements through purchase order creation, management, and escalation (when needed)
• Maintain strong working relationships and communications with key suppliers to confirm production/shipping schedules
• Monitor status of open purchase orders to ensure on-time delivery of all materials, including timely resolution, communication, and mitigation of future potential problems
• Analyze MRP action messages and associated tools to ensure raw materials and packaging components are available at the right time and quantities to support the production plan
• Ensure optimal Inventory levels based on the forecast, demand variation and material lead times
• Collaborate with internal customers and provide a high level of customer service, including recommending solutions, resources, and alternative supply options
• Follow up with suppliers on required documentation (i.e.: CofA, CofC, purchase specs, etc)
• Periodic update of procedures related to production and materials planning process
• Provide materials projection for strategic planning and development

Essential Skills Required:

• Basic knowledge of procurement processes and strategic supplier management