Buyer/Planner

WHY PRODRIVEN GLOBAL BRANDS? BECAUSE WE ARE THE PROFESSIONAL’S CHOICE!  You will find our market leading products and brands on job sites all over the world.

Focusing on end users' needs and delivering exceptional customer experience drives our success. Our entire process—from research to engineering to manufacturing to commercialization—creates products that ensure ease of use, productivity, durability and safety for the end user. On jobsites across the world, ProDriven Global Brands are most preferred.

Presently this position is in an in office role. The status and minimum in-office requirements are subject to change based on evolving business needs.

The Buyer/Planner is responsible for coordinating material planning and purchasing activities to support production requirements at a metal manufacturing facility. This role ensures timely availability of raw materials, fabricated components, consumables, and outside-processed parts by executing MRP-driven planning, purchase order management, and supplier coordination. The Buyer/Planner contributes directly to production schedule adherence, inventory optimization, cost reduction, and supplier performance improvement through strong analytical, sourcing, and planning capabilities.

Material Planning & Scheduling

• Execute MRP/MPS outputs and convert planned orders into purchase orders to support production schedules.
• Maintain accurate planning parameters (lead times, lot sizes, safety stock, reorder points) to ensure reliable material flow.
• Monitor material availability, identify shortages, and escalate issues that could impact production.
• Review and react to MRP exception messages, including expedite, defer, cancel, and reschedule actions.
• Coordinate with production, warehouse, and engineering to ensure material readiness for scheduled work orders.

Purchasing & Supply Management

•  Procure raw materials (sheet steel, bar, plate, coil, tubing), hardware, consumables, and outsourced processing services (e.g., heat treat, plating, coating).
• Request and analyze supplier quotations to support cost, quality, and lead-time objectives.
• Manage purchase orders from creation through delivery, including expediting and updating due dates as needed.
• Ensure alignment between purchasing decisions and production requirements, balancing cost efficiency with service level needs.

Supplier Relationship & Performance Management

• Maintain positive relationships with suppliers to ensure dependable quality, delivery, and cost competitiveness.
•  Monitor supplier delivery performance and quality; communicate and resolve issues proactively.
• Support supplier development efforts by providing feedback on KPIs and participating in corrective action discussions.
• Coordinate with suppliers on changes to specifications, delivery schedules, and packaging requirements.

Operational Excellence & Process Improvement

• Support Engineering Change Notifications (ECNs) by assessing material impacts and updating purchase and planning actions accordingly.
• Collaborate on initiatives to improve material presentation, storage, and flow—reducing waste and improving efficiency.
• Analyze material usage, inventory trends, and spend data to identify cost reduction and consolidation opportunities.
• Participate in continuous improvement activities related to planning accuracy, material flow, and inventory optimization.

General Planning & Procurement Duties

• Utilize ERP/MRP systems to manage purchase orders, item masters, supplier records, and planning data.
• Maintain compliance with procurement and planning policies, internal controls, and audit requirements.
• Prepare reports and dashboards related to material status, shortages, inventory metrics, and supplier performance.
• Perform additional duties as assigned by management.

Education & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain, Business, Operations, or related field; OR equivalent planning/purchasing experience.
• Minimum 3–5 years’ experience in buying or planning within a manufacturing environment; metal fabrication experience preferred.
• Working knowledge of MRP/ERP systems required.
• APICS/ASCM (CPIM or CSCP) certification preferred or willingness to pursue.

Job Qualifications

• Strong understanding of MRP, inventory control, and purchasing processes.
• Ability to read bills of materials (BOMs), understand routings, and interpret basic manufacturing drawings.
• Excellent communication and vendor‑management skills.
• Strong analytical and problem‑solving abilities; proficiency in Excel and data analysis.
• Ability to prioritize daily tasks and manage multiple deadlines in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.

Physical Demands

The employee is regularly required to use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; talk or hear. Must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Vision requirements include close, distance, color vision, and ability to adjust focus.

Work Environment

Exposure to moderate noise levels and occasional exposure to wet/humid conditions, moving mechanical parts, and airborne particles.

Salary Range:

$65,440.00 - $89,980.00

The pay range listed is for Illinois based roles.  It is not typical for a candidate to be hired at or near the top of the pay range.  Specific compensation offered to a candidate may be influenced by a variety of factors including skill sets, qualifications, experience, education, certifications, training, and location.

Benefits:

• 401(k) company match
• Medical insurance
• Dental insurance
• Vision insurance
• Life and disability insurance
• Paid time off

ProDriven Global Brands is committed to fostering, cultivating, and preserving a culture of diversity, equity and inclusion. ProDriven Global Brands is an equal opportunity employer and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any kind. All qualified applicants to ProDriven Global Brands are considered for employment without regard to age, color, disability, ethnicity, family or marital status, gender identity or expression, language, national origin, physical and mental ability, political affiliation, race, religion, sexual orientation, socio-economic status, veteran status or any other protected characteristic.  ProDriven Global Brands will not tolerate discrimination or harassment of any kind based on these characteristics.

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