Buyer Planner

Buyer Planner

Welcome to a better way, an authentic way. Welcome to Nature's Way.
Inside our minds, inside our hearts, inside our business, inside our bottles.
Our reason for being, the purpose that inspires our work every day, is quite simple: Help people live healthy lives.
When we help people live healthy lives, we build a happier, healthier world for everyone.
How we go about our work drives TRUST in who we are, what we do, and the products we produce. That means something important to the world, and it means the world to us.
People TRUST
Our products to be the gold standard
Our words to be true
Our claims to be honest,
Our actions to have integrity.
Together we work with an awareness of how even small actions affect others, an attitude of kindness and concern for each other, and a drive for action that helps people live healthy lives.
It's the best way. The right way. The only way. Nature's Way.
Be a part of helping people live healthy lives!

SUMMARY
As an integral part of the purchasing team, the Procurement Buyer Planner will be responsible for managing the procurement needs for Nature's Way products. This includes managing the day-to-day material needs for the production of goods sold by the company. The Procurement Buyer Planner will be responsible for managing our supplier relationships to ensure the best service, price and delivery times while also maintaining minimal inventory levels and maximizing inventory turns. Additionally, the Procurement Buyer Planner will ensure that all materials meet Nature's Way's high-quality standards. The Procurement Buyer Planner will report to the Procurement Manager and together they will work to achieve Nature's Way's purchasing and planning goals.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following. Other duties may be assigned.

• Responsible for all day-to-day tactical functions within the purchasing team:
  • Manage the issuance of purchase orders for materials (raw materials, packaging, printed packaging) and service (contract manufacturing) to support manufacturing (internal/external) of finished goods and end-item deliveries required by forecast and the production schedule in SAP or as requested by management.
  • Determine and establish optimal inventory levels based on forecast, demand variation and material lead times and adequate inventory are maintained to prevent product outages and meet our customer fill rate requirements.
  • Maintain inventories ensuring that company funds are used efficiently, and adequate inventory is maintained to prevent product outages and meet our customer order fill rate requirements.
  • Coordinate material flows throughout product/BOM changes, obsolescence, and the introduction of new suppliers and/or materials due to new product development.
  • Monitor open purchase orders and purchase order acknowledgements for all orders to ensure on-time deliveries.
  • Ownership of a strong working relationship and communication with manufacturing, co-manufactured, contract manufactures and key suppliers to confirm production/shipping schedule. Proactively report product and material availability issues.
  • Collaborate with internal cross functional customers, in particular planning, Inventory and Strategic Sourcing Teams to provide a high level of customer service, including recommending solutions, resources and alternative supply options.
  • Act as an interface between suppliers, planning, inventory and Strategic Sourcing teams and other relevant department on purchasing processes and new projects and activities, to resolve price, quality, and delivery issues. Work with Finance to resolve invoice discrepancies. Confer and coordinate with suppliers to obtain information such as price, availability, and delivery schedule for materials.
  • Provide forecasts and open order reports to suppliers. Conduct scheduled communications with suppliers to ensure compliance with report.
  • Review planning system to ensure continuity of supply and expediting or deferring purchase orders to meet company requirements.
  • Communicate material needs and shipments with domestic and overseas suppliers.
  • Work with custom brokers to clear imports.
  • Work with distribution and warehouse receiving to resolve shipment issues and expedite needs.
  • Communicate with Transportation to ensure timely pick up from manufacturing and delivery to other suppliers, distribution centers or end-order fulfillment.
  • Review the TMS for inbound shipments as needed.
  • Discuss defective or unacceptable goods or services with inspection or quality control personnel, users, suppliers, and others to determine source of non-compliance and take corrective action.
  • Assist with evaluating supplier performances for supplier risk mitigation.
  • Assist strategic sourcing with opportunities to drive cost savings initiatives and reduce Total Cost of Ownership (TCO).
  • Maintain procurement records such as items purchased, costs, delivery, product quality or performance, and inventories.
  • Own SAP MRP of lead times to ensure they are reflected accurately.
  • Monitor and report key performance metrics, including purchase price variance (PPV), inventories, shortage and supplier performance.
  • Handle incoming phone calls and inquiries, and meet with suppliers when necessary.
  • Adhere to any safety, health and environmental policies and procedures to ensure the safety and wellbeing of self, staff and visitors.

• Bachelor's degree from a four-year college or university in business, operations management, supply chain, or a minimum of three years of supply chain or related experience.
• Knowledge or work experience with cGMPs and FDA regulations is preferred.
• Strong knowledge of ERP concept, with preferred skills in SAP.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office, specifically Excel.

LANGUAGE SKILLS
Ability to read, analyze, and interpret general business periodicals, professional journals, technical procedures, or governmental regulations. Ability to write reports and business correspondence. Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from internal and external stakeholders.

MATHEMATICAL SKILLS
Ability to apply concepts such as fractions, percentages, ratios, and proportions to practical situations.

REASONING ABILITY
Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out instructions furnished in written, oral, or diagram form. Ability to deal with complex problems involving several variables as situations dictate.

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATION
ISM certification and/or APICS certification preferred, not required.

As a Nature's Way employee, you'll enjoy a wide variety of benefits that offer the support you need to truly live what you believe.

All benefits are effective on day ONE of your employment!

Medical Option to select either a PPO plan or one of 2 high - deductible medical plans that includes a company contribution to your personal health savings bank account.

Dental Delta Dental PPO & an option to select an enhanced dental plan.

Vision Routine preventative coverage under medical plan and an option to elect additional voluntary coverage

Time Off All employees receive 11 holidays off per year, as well as paid time off that starts at a minimum of two weeks per year.

401K Plan Company match of up to 4% as long as employees contribute a minimum of 6% to the account. An additional profit-sharing contribution is also made to employee accounts if the company meets its annual targets.

You'll also enjoy a variety of other benefits that support your long-term health and wellness:

• Company provided short-term & long-term disability
• Life and AD&D insurance
• Flexible spending accounts
• Voluntary critical illness & accident coverage
• New parent phase-in program & paternity leave
• Educational assistance reimbursement
• Product discounts & a wellness program
• Free Fitness Center

Start Helping People live Healthy lives today!