Buyer Planner III

Position Description:
Has in-depth knowledge and experience. Uses best practices and knowledge of internal or external business issues to improve performance. Solves complex problems; takes a new perspective using existing solutions. Works independently, receives minimal guidance. Acts as a resource for colleagues with less experience. Demonstrates Viant Values.

Position Authority:
This position has the authority and control of procurement for materials, services, fixed assets, and tooling, master and production scheduling for assigned products.

Essential Job Functions:

Buying
• Maintains Open Purchase Order report to ensure on time delivery from supply base and to ensure expedites and deferrals are executed properly.
• Coordinates with Logistics Manager to assure timely execution of product and service sourcing activities.
• Receives requisitions for materials/supplies or services to be purchased.
• Point of contact for suppliers.
• Coordinates as appropriate, quality matters and engineering changes/developments between company activities and suppliers.
• Monitors component material inventory levels.
• Monitors excess and obsolete inventory and works to return to supply base where applicable.
• Arranges for movement of materials/supplies and excess items to designated locations for final disposition.
• Learns and maintains a thorough understanding of the product lines and inventory policies.
• Coordinates the planning and inventory control parameters for the assigned products and services.
• Achieve optimum cost while ensuring high level of quality/service and the respect of delivery targets.
• Initiates purchase orders and amendments for materials, supplies, services and/or special tools.
• Obtains competitive quotes and performs analysis to assure the most economical price consistent with quality and vendor performance records.
• Responsible for the procurement functions directly associated with the Company’s needs for materials and services, fixed assets and tooling. These products and services are to be secured at cost, quality, and delivery at levels consistent with Company policy and performance standards. The position is further responsible for the timely planning and scheduling of raw material receipts or products as assigned.
• Confers with current and prospective suppliers to determine supply capabilities, transportation logistics, inventory control and management parameters.
• Discusses any defects of purchased goods with Quality Control and takes corrective action.
• Performs procurement follow up and evaluates vendor conformance with terms of the purchase agreement and generates related reports.

Planning
• Assists with the preparation of Customer drum beat meetings.
• Responsible for planning and preparing production schedule for manufacture of medical products. Draws up master schedule to establish sequence and lead time of each operation to meet shipping dates according to customer orders. Maintains production forecast/planning orders for assigned products.
• Coordinates the planning and inventory control parameters for the assigned products and services.
• Learns and maintains a thorough understanding of the product lines and inventory policies.
• Evaluates MRP demand and customer orders, plan, create, implement and monitor production schedule, and procurement of material to support requirements.
• Monitors finished goods material inventory levels.
• Assists with projecting month in revenue throughout the month.
• Assists with VMI (Vendor-Managed-Inventory).
o Determines trends and their potential effects on capacity and materials.
o Advises team of optimal timing of new releases.
o Creates customer-facing reports.
• Analyzes weekly inventory numbers to track trends and understand how production levels and sterilization que affects inventory dollars.
• Initiates production schedules and schedule changes as necessary.
• Maintains Open Sales Order report to ensue on time delivery to customers.
• Coordinates with Manufacturing Manager to assure timely execution of production schedule, and as appropriate, schedule changes, and material shortages.
• Supports investigation on part nonconformities, customer complaints & Corrective & Prevention Action (CAPA).
• Investigates NC’s, determines dispositions, and resolves issues in a timely manner.
• Participates in Kaizen events.
• Collaborate with Corporate, Sales & others on customer Price Increase/PPV pass through.
• IQR Dashboard Expert.
• Reviews and investigates component shortages and figure out why and follow up on getting them thru IQC and materials to production.

Knowledge and Education:
• Bachelor’s Degree in Business or other appropriate field preferred or equivalent work experience.
• Must have an advanced experience in materials planning and purchasing in an MRP/ERP manufacturing environment.
• Requires conceptual knowledge of theories, practices and procedures within buying and planning.
• Working knowledge of DCN processes.
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Outlook, Excel, Pivot Tables, and Microsoft Office applications.

Job Experience:
• 6+ years of experience.
• Previous experience in medium/high volume assembly manufacturing environment.
• Previous experience with medical devices.
• Advanced experience with Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook.

Skills and Competencies:
• Applies common sense understanding to carry out detailed written and oral instructions.
• Multi-tasker who pays attention to build teamwork.
• Work with other employees to build teamwork.
• Exudes values of being customer-centric, accountable, collaborative, and respectful and demonstrates active listening.
• Ability to summarize assignments status to supervisor in verbal or written form.
• Communicates complex concepts and influences others to build consensus adopt a different point of view.
• Strong analytical, technical and troubleshooting skills. Hands-On approach to problem solving.
• Ability to organize and prioritize work, handle multiple tasks simultaniously and to meet deadines.
• Performs basic arithmetic calculations.

Equipment Used:
• Computer, calculator, copier/scanner/printer.

Physical Requirements:
• Light physical activity performing non-strenuous, day-to-day activities of a primarily productive nature.
• Well-lit, air-conditioned, indoor production setting with adequate ventilation.

Viant is a global medical device design and manufacturing services provider that partners and innovates with customers to provide the highest quality, life enhancing medical devices. We do this through our depth and breadth of capabilities, end-to-end integration, technical expertise, and relentless focus on our customers and on operational excellence. With nearly 6,000 associates across 24 locations worldwide, we offer a unique combination of small-company service and attention with big-company resources. For more information, visit viantmedical.com or follow us on LinkedIn. Viant provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, marital status, amnesty, or status as a covered veteran in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local laws. Viant complies with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment in every location in which the company has facilities.