Buyer/Planner

Job Description

Job Description

The Buyer/Planner is responsible for the planning and purchasing of all materials to support both production and distribution. This position will manage select suppliers to ensure on time delivery at competitive pricing while managing inventory levels to prevent shortages and maximize turns. The Buyer/Planner will report directly to the Sr. Manager of Logistics.

Company and Opportunity Overview

Wanzl North America’s (WNA) vision is to be a leading entrepreneurial player in terms of market share, agility, and game-changing solutions. WNA is a solution provider, creating value along the supply chain of our customers, from the online purchase to the delivery to their customers.

WNA, which includes the Technibilt and Cari-All brands, headquartered in Denver, North Carolina. With nearly 500 employees and 175 MUSD of sales, WNA focuses on the retail and distribution market segments with marquee customers such as Walmart, Amazon, and the majority of large grocers and retailers.

In addition to being the largest manufacturer of shopping carts in North America, WNA has three (3) additional main product segments as well as a Service business, providing turnkey solutions for customer guidance (Access Systems) and Shelving & Fixtures, as well as Material Handling/Rolling Stock products. Additionally, WNA is active in building a “digital” business line with products for shopping cart containment, smart exit gate technology, and solutions for autonomous and/or semi-autonomous retail stores.

WNA is part of the Wanzl group, headquartered in Germany, and has 12 plants in 8 countries, providing comprehensive, solutions-driven service and expert knowledge of local markets for customers across the globe through their 360&degree; service.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Just in time procurement: Leveraging Safety stocks, MRP outputs, and forecasts to ensure on time procurement of materials.
• Communicate/coordinate shortages that could cause delays with Customer Service, Distribution team, production schedulers, and other key personnel.
• Manage Vendor relationships, including performance and pricing.
• Risk Assessment: Evaluate and mitigate risks in vendor reliability and supply chain.
• Vendor Performance Review: Monitor and assess vendor quality and delivery performance.
• Logistics Management: Track and update material transits to ensure MRP system accuracy.
• Forecast order planning compared to Safety stock levels & MOQ.
• DIO analysis & Stock level adjustment recommendation
• Large program order planning & purchasing
• Analyze data from the MRP system and place orders in a timely manner.
• Manage suppliers to reduce costs, improve quality, control inventories, and ensure timely flow of material.
• Monitor and report key performance metrics, including Purchase Price Variance, inventories, shortages, and supplier performance.
• Expedite material orders as needed.
• Develop a thorough working knowledge of required MRP / ERP systems. Specifically SAP S4/Hana Public cloud
• Able and willing to work necessary hours to meet all project deadlines, minimal travel required.
• Other duties as assigned – Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

Skills and Experience:

• College degree or minimum of 5 years’ experience in a complex manufacturing environment.
• SAP Experience desired
• APICS certification and previous international experience desired.
• Experience tracking international transit of material. Experience in FOB, DDP, Air Freight, and other methods of transportation.
• Supply Chain Management: Coordinate complex supply chains for diverse materials and processes.
• Contract Negotiation: Negotiate terms with vendors to secure favorable conditions.
• Strong analytical skills. Effective leadership skills.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to maintain an organized process for completing work on time.
• Ability to learn ERP system functions quickly.
• Accuracy in work assignments and a strong work ethic as a part of a team.