Position Overview
We are searching for a talented Buyer/Planner to ensure our company's operations are timely, efficient, and cost-effective. You will assist in all demand planning duties including purchase of products, managing inventory levels and ROP's, strategic planning of special product buys and assist with submitting warranty claims to the factory. This role requires strong analytical skills, strategic thinking, and collaboration with cross-functional teams.
Responsibilities may include the following and other duties may be assigned.
Buying
- Responsible for purchase order entry in the ERP system, placing orders with suppliers, and working with suppliers to ensure on-time receipts.
- Establish and maintain purchasing and supply master data item attributes for all material and maintain within the ERP system for effective planning and purchasing.
- Manage and resolve issues regarding PO to invoice discrepancies, returns and quality problems with suppliers.
- Work with suppliers to expedite, re-schedule or cancel open orders as required by product demand.
- Monitor supplier delivery and lead time performance – update delivery dates and expedite orders as needed.
- Manage quotes, receipts and deliveries of air, truck and ocean transportation.
- Assist with submitting warranty claims to the factory.
- Take responsibility for accurate and on-time delivery of parts and components; follow-up on PO's with suppliers and manage delivery date expectations as necessary with all relevant stakeholders.
- Assist with creating supplier forecasts.
- Build and maintain effective cross-functional relationships, communicate regularly to maintain an understanding of timelines and activities which impact supply chain.
Demand Planning
- Analyze historical data and collaborate with Sales, Marketing and Product Management to understand demand forecast drivers, prepare forecast data, develop statistical forecast models, and evaluate forecast results.
- Develop and maintain accurate demand forecasts to ensure inventory levels are optimized.
- Propose and implement solutions to improve demand forecast accuracy.
- Develop KPI reporting and analytics to provide insights into demand planning performance.
- Utilize advanced forecasting techniques and tools to improve forecast accuracy and reliability. Be proficient at using Epicor P21 (in conjunction with EDA) as the primary forecasting and demand planning tool.
- Regularly interfaces with Sales and Product Management to optimize the forecast and reduce slow moving & obsolete inventories and to plan the successful execution of new product launches and product transitions.
- Develop and document best practices and processes.
- Contribute to continuous improvement initiatives within demand planning and material management processes.
- Identify and resolve any replenishment issues, ensuring seamless product availability.
- Support and provides input into S&OP supply planning process.
- Prepare and present regular reports on demand trends, inventory status, and supply chain performance metrics to support decision-making.
- Identifies and resolves out of stock issues, focusing on minimizing shortage occurrences through analysis of data and review of ROP's and safety stock levels.
- Ensuring optimal stock availability across the network to provide a positive customer experience and maximize sales opportunities.
Requirements:
- Bachelor's degree in business, supply chain or other relevant fields.
- A minimum of 3 years' experience in a demand planning/forecasting/purchasing role.
- Understanding of purchasing and inventory management practices.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
- Self-motivated, goal oriented and works well in a team environment
- Strong mathematical and statistical knowledge.
- Strong analytical, problem-solving skills and high attention to detail.
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to work collaboratively across different functions and levels.
- Ability to lead, contribute, and influence others in a team-based organization
- Ability to manage multiple projects and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
- Strong sense of urgency with the ability to prioritize.
- Capable of managing a variety of tasks simultaneously with rapidly changing priorities.
- Strong knowledge of Excel (pivot tables, vlookups, formulas, etc).
- Supply Chain certification a plus.
- Rochester, NY based
Employees must be legally authorized to work in the United States. Verification of employment eligibility will be required at the time of hire. Visa sponsorship is not available for this position.
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