Buyer/Planner

Overview:

The Buyer/Planner is responsible for the planning, procuring, and scheduling of materials and services required to manufacture products for the assigned lines or businesses.

• Initiates purchase orders and amendments for parts, service and or special tools; arranges for submission and inspection of sample products as required; maintains close coordination with plant engineering to ensure timely execution of product and services sourcing.
• Secures and analyzes quotations, negotiates prices and terms with suppliers, and recommends suppliers with respect to cost, quality and delivery competitiveness for assigned responsibilities.
• Works closely with I-R strategic sourcing to advance enterprise-wide sourcing programs as appropriate.
• Studies market prices and trends, engineering developments, and manufacturing method improvements applicable to assigned responsibilities; advises company activities with concurrence of a senior buyer and or the director of purchasing.
• Interviews and confers with current and prospective suppliers to determine supply capabilities, transportation logistics inventory control and management; negotiates prices and delivery terms with guidance form a senior buyer or the director of purchasing for assigned responsibilities.
• Coordinates the planning of recent schedules and inventory control parameters for the assigned products and services consistent with MAPICS requirements.
• Organizes and implements with direction form a senior buyer and or the director of purchasing strategies to accomplish small business and disadvantaged business sourcing programs consistent with company guidelines.
• Visits suppliers facilities to qualify them as new sources and assists in the resolution of production, design, quality and or delivery problems.
• Must be able to work in a high pressure, fast paced environment.

Who is Kadant Solutions Division?

Kadant Solutions, based in Auburn, Massachusetts, develops, manufactures, and markets a wide range of doctoring, cleaning, filtration, and forming systems and related consumables used in process industries worldwide including construction roofing materials, food processing, metals processing, nonwovens, pulp and paper, textiles and fibers, and tissue.

Why consider joining the Kadant team?

• Kadant is named as one of Americas Most Responsible Companies 2024 by Newsweek
• Kadant was named as one of Americas Greatest Workplaces for Diversity 2023 by Newsweek
• Kadant was named to Newsweeks list of Americas Most Responsible Companies in 2023.and 2024.
• 100% of Kadants energy comes from renewable sources.
• Kadant serves the pulp and paper industry which has recycled 68% of everything produced and 82% of cardboard since 2009, the highest of any processing industry.
• Kadant serves several process industries including lithium-ion battery production, food processing, metals processing, carbon fiber, nonwovens, textiles, and construction roofing materials.
• At Kadant, our customer-focused innovation allows us to deliver Sustainable Industrial Processing engineering services and technologies to help our customers create more value with fewer inputs.

*Equal opportunity employer.

*Diverse and inclusive workplace.

*Competitive wage.

*All benefits are effective upon date of hire.

Our comprehensive benefit package includes:

*Medical, Dental and Vision insurance with best-in-class premiums.

*10 paid holidays.

*401k with match.

*Company paid life insurance benefit

*Disability insurance.

*Aflac insurance.

*Lifelock insurance.

*MetLaw legal assistance.

*Employee assistance program.

*Flexible spending.

*Dependent care.

*Educational assistance.

*Employee stock purchase plan.

Education/Experience

• Associates Degree or 5-6 years experience in purchasing/procurement role
• Experience in an engineer-to-order environment
• Experience with global sourcing and procurement
• Efficient in multi-tasking
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Understanding of change and comprehension of sense of urgency
• Detail oriented

Knowledge

• Strong working knowledge of Epicore ERP system including but not limited to Buyer Workbench functionality; BOM structure; Router structure; Purchase Order and Work Order creation and release is a must
• Demonstrated organizational and problem-solving skills required
• Demonstrated ability to negotiate with suppliers on terms and conditions, price, delivery, and quality issues
• Ability to work with others in a team environment while effectively handling internal pressures
• Ability to read blueprints and product specifications
• Ability to work independently with minimum supervision

Physical/Environmental Demands

• Work in a climate controlled office environment, but he or she may need to make trips onto the production floor in order to meet with foremen, employees and others to discuss production and scheduling
• Occasionally lift and carry up to 25 pounds
• Ability to handle mental challenges particularly when there is a significant increase in demand or when the production team is not meeting demand