Buyer/Planner

Buyer & Planner Sacramento, California | Industrial Manufacturing Position Overview Korn Ferry is partnering with an established manufacturing organization to identify a Buyer & Planner who will support procurement, material planning, supplier coordination, and inventory management within its Sacramento operation. This position will take ownership of assigned materials and components, helping ensure production has the right supply at the right time to meet operational and customer requirements. The Buyer & Planner will work closely with suppliers as well as Operations, Engineering, Quality, Accounts Payable, and Strategic Sourcing to anticipate material needs, address supply constraints, and maintain consistent production flow. The role requires someone who can effectively balance purchasing and planning priorities while using data, MRP, and supplier communication to support on-time delivery, inventory performance, and production continuity . Why This Opportunity This is a strong opportunity for a supply chain professional who wants broader ownership than a traditional buying position. The role provides hands-on exposure across procurement, planning, inventory, supplier management, and manufacturing operations , with the opportunity to see the direct impact of purchasing and planning decisions on the production floor. For someone looking to continue building their career in supply chain, this position offers the opportunity to strengthen experience across both purchasing and material planning while developing a broader understanding of an integrated manufacturing operation. Key Responsibilities Procurement & Supplier Management Manage purchasing activities for assigned materials, components, and services needed to support manufacturing. Negotiate pricing and coordinate delivery expectations with suppliers. Track supplier performance and proactively address issues that could affect material availability or production. Assist with supplier evaluation and ongoing management of the approved vendor base. Develop productive supplier relationships and work through purchasing or delivery issues as they arise. Coordinate with internal stakeholders to ensure purchasing activity remains aligned with changing production requirements. Material Planning & Production Support Translate production forecasts and customer requirements into actionable material plans. Utilize MRP and ERP systems to evaluate material requirements and determine purchasing needs. Coordinate incoming material with production schedules and available manufacturing capacity. Review open purchase orders and adjust quantities or delivery timing as demand and production requirements change. Anticipate potential shortages or excess material and take action to minimize operational impact. Contribute to SIOP activities by helping align demand, production capacity, inventory, and supply requirements. Work closely with Production, Engineering, and Quality to address material constraints and keep production requirements on track. Inventory Management Balance material availability with inventory targets to support production while minimizing excess inventory and carrying costs. Monitor inventory positions and adjust purchasing plans based on current and future requirements. Collaborate with warehouse and receiving teams to support accurate inventory records. Identify opportunities to improve inventory levels, material flow, and overall supply chain efficiency. Support process improvements that strengthen purchasing, planning, and inventory performance. Cross-Functional Partnership Build strong working relationships across Operations, Engineering, Quality, Accounts Payable, Strategic Sourcing, and the supplier network. Provide visibility into material risks, supplier concerns, and changing supply requirements. Use data and operational information to support decisions affecting purchasing, inventory, material availability, and delivery performance. Partner across functions to resolv…

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