Purchasing - Buyer/Planner

WHO ARE WE?

At NovaSensor, an Amphenol company, we are pioneers in high accuracy sensing solutions. As a global leader in MEMS (Microelectromechanical Systems) technology, we design and manufacture advanced pressure sensors that power critical applications across the medical, industrial, and transportation markets-whether it is enabling life-saving medical devices, enhancing vehicle safety and efficiency, or ensuring reliability in industrial systems.

We are part of Amphenol, a global leader in advanced interconnect systems, serving diverse markets including automotive, aerospace, industrial, and mobile devices. Amphenol Corporation, a member of the Fortune 500 (NYSE: APH), was established in 1932 and has pioneered innovation in electronics for nearly a century across virtually every end market.

The Planner/Buyer is responsible for ensuring the right parts are available, at the right time and quantity, to meet production plans while minimizing inventory and cost. This role manages day-to-day Planned Order Actions, purchase order follow-up, inventory control, supplier communication, and cross-functional collaboration with Production, Engineering, Quality, and Logistics to support stable manufacturing operations and new product introductions.

The Planner/Buyer is responsible for ensuring the right parts are available, at the right time and quantity, to meet production plans while minimizing inventory and cost. This role manages day-to-day Planned Order Actions, purchase order follow-up, inventory control, supplier communication, and cross-functional collaboration with Production, Engineering, Quality, and Logistics to support stable manufacturing operations and new product introductions.

Key responsibilities

• Run and manage MRP/MPS processes to convert demand (forecasts, customer orders, production schedules) into planned receipts.
• Create, release, and maintain purchase orders and planned orders; expedite and follow up with suppliers to secure on-time delivery.
• Maintain and optimize inventory levels (safety stock, reorder point, min/max) to meet service targets while minimizing obsolescence and carrying cost.
• Participate in S&OP / demand-review meetings and contribute materials-impact analysis for forecast changes.
• Support New Product Introduction (NPI) by planning material releases, identifying and securing critical long-lead items to meet Product release timelines.
• Perform regular cycle counts and support physical inventory; investigate and correct inventory discrepancies.
• Liaise with Quality and Engineering on nonconforming materials, part changes, and BOM updates; ensure BOM accuracy within ERP.
• Monitor supplier performance (on-time delivery, lead time variance) and escalate supply risks proactively.
• Prepare and maintain planning documentation, reports, and metrics for management (inventory turns, days of inventory, OTIF, forecast accuracy).
• Drive continuous improvement in planning processes, including automation, BOM clean-up, and lead-time reduction initiatives.
• Ensure compliance with company purchasing policies, import/export requirements, and record-keeping.
• Implement data-driven inventory management strategies to mitigate material risks, such as Excess and &Obsolete (E&O) and Purchase Price Variances (PPV).

Required qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Industrial Engineering, Business, or related field - or equivalent experience.
• 2+ years' experience in materials planning, production planning, or inventory control in a manufacturing environment (electronics, sensors, medical device or similar preferred).
• Hands-on experience with MRP/ERP systems (experience with SAP, Oracle, or similar strongly preferred).
• Strong Excel skills (VLOOKUP/INDEX-MATCH, pivot tables); familiarity with Power BI or other reporting tools a plus.
• Experience in data analytics and strong ability to build compelling visual presentations using charts and metrics.
• Excellent communication skills - able to work cross-functionally and with suppliers.
• Strong problem-solving, and organizational skills; attention to detail and ability to manage competing priorities.
• Ability to work under pressure to meet production deadlines.

Preferred / nice-to-have

• APICS/ASCM CPIM or CSCP certification.
• Experience with medical device supply chain requirements (traceability, regulatory documentation).
• Experience supporting NPI and engineering change control.
• Familiarity with lean manufacturing, Kanban, and continuous improvement tools (5S, Kaizen).

Work environment & physical demands

• Primarily office-based at the Fremont facility with regular interaction on the production floor.
• May require walking/standing in production areas, occasional lifting of small boxes (per site safety policy).
• Typical hours: Monday-Friday; occasional overtime may be required to resolve supply issues.

What we offer

• Competitive salary
• 401(k)
• Health insurance and wellness programs
• 401(k) with company match
• Professional onboarding and training opportunities
• Paid time off
• Health savings account
• Flexible spending account
• Life insurance
• Inclusive and collaborative work environment