Our client, a growing manufacturing organization in Garland, TX, is seeking a detail-oriented and analytical Buyer/Planner to support procurement, production planning, and supplier management activities. This role is responsible for managing purchase orders, coordinating material requirements, maintaining supplier relationships, and ensuring inventory availability to support production and customer demand.

The ideal candidate will have experience in a manufacturing environment, strong analytical skills, and the ability to collaborate cross-functionally with production, engineering, warehouse, and supply chain teams to drive operational efficiency and continuous improvement.

Key Responsibilities

• Execute purchasing and planning activities to ensure uninterrupted production and customer fulfillment.
• Create, manage, and monitor purchase orders with approved suppliers and proactively follow up to ensure on-time delivery.
• Maintain accurate order management records and update ERP system data, including delivery dates, procurement parameters, and supplier information.
• Work closely with internal stakeholders to execute sourcing strategies aligned with business objectives and operational requirements.
• Analyze inventory levels, demand forecasts, and production requirements to maintain appropriate inventory levels.
• Escalate planning issues, supplier performance concerns, lead time changes, pricing changes, and supply disruptions to the appropriate stakeholders.
• Develop and maintain strong supplier relationships to improve service, quality, delivery performance, and responsiveness.
• Coordinate engineering change notifications and communicate requirements to suppliers when applicable.
• Partner with warehouse personnel to resolve purchase order discrepancies, receiving issues, and inventory variances.
• Support suppliers with invoice and payment issues related to receiving discrepancies and ensure timely resolution.
• Perform disposition activities for obsolete and slow-moving inventory.
• Monitor supplier performance and identify opportunities for process improvement and cost optimization.
• Maintain open communication with production, engineering, operations, and other internal departments regarding supply chain risks and potential solutions.
• Support procurement and supply chain initiatives while participating in continuous improvement efforts throughout the organization.
• Generate reports and analyze data to support purchasing decisions, inventory management, and operational planning.

Required

• 3+ years of Buyer, Planner, Buyer/Planner, Materials Planner, or Supply Chain experience within a manufacturing environment.
• Experience managing purchase orders, supplier relationships, and inventory planning.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to interpret supply chain and inventory data.
• Experience working within an ERP/MRP system.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel, including reporting and data analysis.
• Excellent organizational, communication, and follow-up skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.

Preferred

• Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Business, Operations, Engineering, or a related field.
• Experience with inventory control, materials management, and production planning.
• APICS/ASCM certifications (CPIM, CSCP) are a plus.