Buyer/planner

**Basic Purpose**:
The Buyer/Planner performs standard purchasing tasks and support duties such as auditing and accounting for items taken from inventory and monitoring and recommending revisions to inventory reorder points. The incumbent delivers purchased materials on the date needed by manufacturing within a maximum 5% tolerance limit for a 95% purchasing performance benchmark.

**Essential Duties and Responsibilities**:

- Receives and process purchasing requests.
- Confirms prices, quantities and scheduled due dates for all vendor, warehouse, carriers and internal personnel.
- Inputs purchase orders into computer and sends to vendor within 24 hours.
- Distributes purchase orders to accounting and warehouse departments.
- Consolidates orders for traffic scheduling to optimize freight and trucking costs
- Confirms daily delivery schedules with vendors and truckers
- Monitors and confirms accuracy of inventory status reports at co-packer locations.
- Communicates issue and solutions on raw material status to purchasing manager, production, and sales departments
- Orders ingredients and packaging components based on lead times for delivery at designated production facility.
- Updates planned order MRP upon changes and requirement as needed for review by purchasing manager.
- Reconciles billing errors and provides back-up documents for inventory movement to accounts payable within invoice terms and for month end closing.
- Processes material receipts at contract manufacturers and works with buyers to ensure production materials are delivered in time for established manufacturing dates.
- Maintains accurate record-keeping systems of co-packer production, yield results and inventory levels.
- Researches and initiates new freight carriers and component vendors.
- Assists with other projects, as needed

**Requirements**:
**Minimum Requirements**:

- Minimum five years' experience in a master scheduling, production planning or buying/procurement capacity or related role
- Advanced Computer skills (Excel, SQL, MES and reporting tools) and ERP experience a strong asset.
- APICS certification is a plus.

**Skills/Knowledge/Abilities**:

- Bachelor's degree or equivalent
- Previous experience in a purchasing or scheduling role in a manufacturing environment
- Excellent organizational skills with a strong attention to detail
- Ability to make decisions, manage risks and drive continuous improvement in a fast-paced environment
- Computer skills including, but not limited to Excel, Word, and Outlook
- Two years of business experience in purchasing, storekeeping, or inventory control
- Computer skills; knowledgeable in Excel, MAS90 and MRP software programs
- Organizational and communication skills, including good telephone skills
- Establish and maintain effective working relationships with a wide variety of people, frequently in situations requiring tact and patience.
- Ability to work in fast faced environment, managing numerous details and interruptions.
- Able to interpret and explain company purchasing policies.
- Able to use initiative and judgment in solving problems related to accomplishing results smoothly, cost-effectively and on time.
- Organize workload to accomplish work within prescribed time limits.
- Team player, willing to complete special assignments on call as needed.