NPI Material Planner/Buyer

This role maintains material readiness, manages multi-level BOMs, resolves shortages, releases and tracks work orders, and communicates build status to cross-functional teams and management. The role also supports prototype procurement through purchase requisitions, purchase orders, supplier quotes, and sourcing support, Responsibilities Plan multi-level, high-part-count BOMs for complex electro-mechanical products from prototype through release.

Job Title: NPI Material Planner/Buyer
Location: North Reading, MA
Duration: 12 month contract
Payrate: $40 to $50 per hour

Job Description:
The NPI Material Planner/Buyer manages material planning for complex new products from prototype builds through production release. This role maintains material readiness, manages multi-level BOMs, resolves shortages, releases and tracks work orders, and communicates build status to cross-functional teams and management. The role also supports prototype procurement through purchase requisitions, purchase orders, supplier quotes, and sourcing support,

Responsibilities

• Plan multi-level, high-part-count BOMs for complex electro-mechanical products from prototype through release.
• Create, release, and track work orders; report build status, material readiness, constraints, and recovery actions.
• Use ERP/MRP and inventory systems to plan material, issue requisitions, monitor supply, and resolve shortages.
• Execute purchase requisitions and orders for prototype components and design-validation builds.
• Partner with Engineering and Operations on product structures and make-versus-buy decisions.
• Assess lead times, supply risks, and risk buys for forecasted demand.
• Coordinate supplier RMAs and rework for quality issues or engineering changes.
• Support receiving, kitting, staging, cycle counts, and inventory accuracy.
• Remove barriers, improve material flow, reduce waste, and sustain planning improvements.
• Communicate and escalate material, supplier, quality, or schedule risks as needed.

Qualifications

• Bachelor s degree in supply chain, business, engineering, or related field.
• 3-5 years of material planning, production planning, procurement, or related experience with complex electro-mechanical products.
• ERP/MRP experience planning, buying, tracking shortages, and maintaining material data.
• Experience with NPI, prototype builds, suppliers, contract manufacturers, RMAs, rework, or engineering-change impacts.
• Strong analytical, organizational, problem-solving, communication, and escalation skills.
• Advanced Excel skills, including formulas and PivotTables; reporting or analysis tool experience preferred.
• Ability to manage competing priorities in a fast-paced environment with accuracy and attention to detail.
• Continuous improvement mindset with the ability to implement practical process improvements.