Manufacturing Materials Buyer / Planner
Location: Marietta, OH
Job Type: Full-Time, Direct Hire
Starting Salary: $60,000/year (Higher compensation available based on experience)
Travel: Up to 10%
Position Overview
Seeking an experienced Buyer/Planner to manage material requirements from production planning through supplier delivery. This role combines purchasing and MRP planning and is responsible for keeping materials available for the manufacturing of electromechanical power distribution equipment.
The ideal candidate understands how materials move through an ERP/MRP system—from purchase order and receipt through inventory, picking, assembly, and shipment. This is a hands-on supply chain position requiring manufacturing procurement and planning experience.
What You'll Do
Manage purchasing and material planning for assigned production lines and projects.
Use ERP/MRP systems to review demand, calculate requirements, and release purchase orders and planned orders.
Procure electrical and electromechanical components such as wire, cable, energy meters, bus bars, circuit breakers, contactors, transformers, enclosures, cable assemblies, and switchgear components.
Maintain item data, including supplier lead times, safety stock, minimum order quantities (MOQs), and reorder points.
Monitor material availability and resolve shortages or delivery issues before they impact production.
Coordinate with production scheduling to align material deliveries with assembly requirements and customer commitments.
Manage standard purchases, spot buys, and blanket purchase orders.
Monitor supplier performance, including on-time delivery (SOTD), quality/PPM, and lead-time compliance.
Work with suppliers on delivery issues and support supplier development activities.
Coordinate with Engineering on new product introductions (NPI), engineering change orders (ECOs), BOM accuracy, and technical requirements.
Partner with Quality on SCARs, non-conforming material (NCM) disposition, and first-article inspections (FAIs).
Work with Receiving and Logistics to track inbound materials and resolve receiving or delivery discrepancies.
Provide Sales and Program Management with material availability updates and supply-risk assessments.
Participate in SIOP and production readiness reviews.
Track supply chain metrics such as PPV, SOTD, inventory turns, and material shortages.
Support cost-reduction, supplier consolidation, total cost of ownership (TCO), Lean, and continuous improvement initiatives.
Maintain accurate ERP data and promote proper system use across purchasing and planning activities.
Required Qualifications
3–5+ years of combined Buyer and/or Material Planning experience in a manufacturing environment; 5+ years strongly preferred.
Experience purchasing materials for manufactured or assembled products.
Experience procuring electrical, electronic, or electromechanical components.
Working knowledge of ERP/MRP systems, such as SAP, Oracle, NetSuite, Epicor, Infor, or similar.
Strong understanding of MRP logic, demand planning, purchasing, and material flow.
Ability to manage materials from PO creation through receipt, inventory, picking, assembly, and shipment.
Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings, BOMs, and technical specifications.
Strong Microsoft Excel skills, including pivot tables, VLOOKUP, and supply/demand analysis.
Strong communication, organization, negotiation, and problem-solving skills.
Ability to manage multiple priorities in a production environment.
Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management, Business, Operations Management, Engineering, or a related field preferred; equivalent experience considered.
Preferred Qualifications
Experience with power distribution, electrical switchgear, UPS, or critical power products.
Familiarity with PDCs, STS units, RPPs, panelboards, and MV/LV switchgear assemblies.
APICS CPIM or CSCP or ISM C.P.M./CPSM certification.
Experience with Lean/Six Sigma and continuous improvement.
Knowledge of UL, ANSI, IEC, NEMA, and NEC standards related to power distribution equipment.
Experience with supplier development and international sourcing in Asia, Mexico, or Europe.
Familiarity with customs and import compliance for electrical components.
Key Skills
Strategic Purchasing | MRP & Material Planning | ERP Systems | Supplier Management | Inventory Control | Electrical Components | Demand Planning | Cost Management | Excel | Continuous Improvement
Work Environment
On-site position in a manufacturing and assembly facility.
Regular exposure to shop-floor conditions, moderate noise, electrical equipment, and industrial materials.
Frequent computer work for ERP transactions, purchasing, data analysis, email, and supplier communication.
Occasional travel to supplier facilities, warehouses, and customer locations.
Must be able to walk and move through production areas for extended periods.
May occasionally lift up to 25 lbs. during physical inventory activities.
Remote work is not available.
