Buyer/Planner

Summary Procures materials and coordinates purchasing activities for products and services, such as raw materials, equipment, tools, parts, supplies, and advertising. Performs limited shop planning activities and works closely with manufacturing planning. Works closely with finance throughout the year to prepare and organize the annual physical inventory. Essential Job Duties Utilize the MRP system for daily activities of purchase orders, managing inventory and stock levels, delivery dates, and identifying potential risks due to shortages or overages. Receive and review requisitions for goods or services. Communicate with vendors to obtain product or service information, price, availability, and delivery schedule. Select products for purchase by testing, observing, or examining items. Prioritize and expedite purchase orders as needed to ensure production schedules are met, including urgent shortage situations that may arise. Estimate values according to knowledge of market price. Review bid proposals and negotiate contracts within budgetary limitations and scope of authority. Work with inspection or quality control personnel or users to identify and resolve issues with purchased materials. Keep abreast of market trends, changes in business practices in the assigned markets, and new or altered types of materials entering the market. Work with manufacturers on custom-designed items according to user's specific needs. Track purchases, monitor vendor quality, maintain a current database of vendor information, and maintain accurate procurement records. Work with finance/accounting to track physical inventory and help organize the annual physical inventory count. Understand and learn to edit shop manufacturing schedule. Set-up and use Kanban system for raw material, ensuring adequate supply on-hand and at supplier location. Cross-train to act as back-up for the Expeditor role. Other related duties as assigned. Required Qualifications - Required qualifications to effectively perform the job. An equivalent combination of education, training and experience will be considered. (Additional requirements may be designated by position.) This position requires a high school diploma, an associate's or bachelor's degree is a plus. Must have at least two years of directly related experience. Preference is given to experience with purchasing steel and raw materials. Knowledge, Skills and Abilities - May be representative, but not all-inclusive, of those knowledge, skills and abilities commonly associated with this position. Proficient in Microsoft Office products - specifically Excel, and Outlook. Experience with MRP software is a plus. Critical thinker with exceptional attention to detail. Excellent problem-solving skills. Excellent communication skills, both verbally and in writing. Ability to effectively organize and prioritize work as well as concentrate on multiple tasks simultaneously. Ability to develop and maintain business relationships. Strong negotiation skills. Work Environment - Environmental or atmospheric conditions commonly associated with the performance of the functions of this job. General office conditions. Exposed to moderate noise levels within a manufacturing environment. Indoor and outdoor manufacturing areas include exposure to high noise levels, changing temperatures, uneven surfaces, and often very dusty. Physical Abilities - Activities that are commonly associated with the performance of the functions of this job. The physical demands described below are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions. Required to use close vision and be able to focus. Regularly required to talk and hear; frequently required to sit, stand and bend at the knee and waist, and walk. Must be able to have repetitive wrist, hand and/or finger movement to type and work on computer. Must have finger dexterity and hand-eye coordination to work on computer, telephone, and related office equipment. Ability to don personal protective equipment in posted areas as required. Regular attendance is a necessary and essential function. Fairbanks Scales Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer including Disability/Vets DISCLOSURE REGARDING BACKGROUND INVESTIGATION Fairbanks Scales Inc. may obtain information about you from a third-party consumer reporting agency for employment purposes. Thus, you may be the subject of a "consumer report" and/or "investigative consumer report" which may include information about your character, general reputation, personal characteristics, and/or mode of living, and which can involve personal interviews with sources such as neighbors, friends, or associates, The reports may contain information regarding your credit history, criminal history, social security verification, motor vehicle records ("driving records"), verification of your education or employment history, or other background checks. Credit history will only be requested where such information is substantially related to the duties and responsibilities of the position for which you are applying. NOTIFICATION OF PRE-EMPLOYMENT DRUG SCREENING Fairbanks Scales Inc. performs post-offer, pre-employment drug testing for all roles prior to being hired into any role as part of our Drug Free Workplace Policy. In addition, Fairbanks Scales Inc. performs post-offer, pre-employment drug testing under the authority of the U.S. Department of Transportation prior to being hired for any role or transferred into a safety-sensitive role.