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Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for a Procurement Planner

💰 $65,000 - $95,000

Supply ChainProcurementLogisticsPlanning

🎯 Role Definition

As a Procurement Planner, you are the strategic linchpin ensuring a seamless flow of materials and services to meet our production and operational demands. You will be responsible for forecasting future needs, managing supplier performance, and optimizing inventory levels to enhance efficiency and reduce costs. This role requires a blend of analytical prowess, sharp negotiation skills, and a collaborative spirit to work across various departments, from production to finance. You will be instrumental in mitigating supply chain risks and driving continuous improvement initiatives within the procurement function.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

  • Junior Buyer or Purchasing Agent
  • Supply Chain Coordinator
  • Inventory Analyst

Advancement To:

  • Senior Procurement Planner or Senior Supply Chain Planner
  • Procurement Manager
  • Supply Chain Manager

Lateral Moves:

  • Demand Planner
  • S&OP (Sales and Operations Planning) Manager
  • Logistics Manager

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

  • Develop and execute comprehensive procurement plans and inventory strategies based on demand forecasts, production schedules, and sales data.
  • Analyze MRP (Material Requirements Planning) system outputs to determine material needs and generate timely and accurate purchase orders.
  • Strategically manage inventory levels across multiple product lines to ensure optimal stock availability while minimizing holding costs and preventing obsolescence.
  • Proactively monitor supplier performance, including on-time delivery (OTD), quality, and cost, implementing corrective actions as necessary to maintain standards.
  • Build and maintain strong, collaborative relationships with key suppliers to ensure a reliable and efficient supply chain.
  • Act as the primary point of contact for resolving supply chain disruptions, such as shortages, quality issues, or delivery delays, by developing and executing mitigation plans.
  • Identify and champion cost-saving opportunities through negotiation, process improvements, VAVE (Value Analysis/Value Engineering), and supplier consolidation.
  • Conduct regular analysis of market trends, supplier pricing, and lead times to inform procurement strategies and budget forecasting.
  • Manage the end-to-end purchase order lifecycle, from creation and placement to tracking, expediting, and invoice reconciliation.
  • Collaborate closely with cross-functional teams, including Production, Engineering, Quality, and Sales, to align procurement activities with business objectives.
  • Analyze and actively manage excess and obsolete (E&O) inventory by recommending and implementing disposition strategies.
  • Maintain data integrity within the ERP system, ensuring accuracy of supplier information, lead times, safety stock levels, and pricing.
  • Lead or participate in Sales & Operations Planning (S&OP) meetings, providing critical input on supply-side constraints and opportunities.
  • Identify, assess, and mitigate potential supply chain risks by diversifying the supplier base and developing contingency plans.
  • Coordinate the procurement of materials for new product introductions (NPI), ensuring a smooth transition from development to mass production.
  • Prepare and present detailed reports and KPIs on procurement performance, such as inventory turns, stock-out rates, purchase price variance (PPV), and supplier scorecards.
  • Negotiate contracts, pricing, and payment terms with suppliers to secure favorable agreements for the organization.
  • Ensure all procurement activities adhere to company policies, ethical standards, and relevant industry regulations.
  • Drive continuous improvement initiatives within the procurement process to enhance efficiency, reduce waste, and improve overall performance.
  • Evaluate and optimize logistics pathways and freight costs associated with inbound materials to achieve cost-effective transportation.

Secondary Functions

  • Support ad-hoc reporting requests and conduct deep-dive analysis on supply chain performance and material cost trends.
  • Contribute to the continuous improvement of procurement processes, systems, and the organization's overall data strategy.
  • Collaborate with engineering and quality assurance teams to translate material specifications and quality requirements into clear supplier expectations.
  • Participate in daily production meetings, project teams, and agile ceremonies to ensure procurement alignment with operational priorities.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

  • ERP/MRP Proficiency: Deep experience with ERP systems (e.g., SAP, Oracle, NetSuite) and a strong understanding of MRP logic.
  • Advanced Excel: Mastery of Excel for data analysis, including pivot tables, VLOOKUP/XLOOKUP, conditional formatting, and basic modeling.
  • Demand Forecasting: Ability to use statistical methods and software to predict future material requirements.
  • Inventory Management Techniques: Solid knowledge of inventory control methods such as Just-In-Time (JIT), Kanban, Safety Stock, and ABC analysis.
  • Data Analysis & Visualization: Experience with BI tools like Power BI or Tableau for creating insightful dashboards and reports.
  • Supply Chain Principles: A fundamental understanding of end-to-end supply chain management, logistics, and S&OP processes.
  • Cost Analysis: Skill in conducting purchase price variance (PPV) and total cost of ownership (TCO) analysis.

Soft Skills

  • Analytical & Problem-Solving: Exceptional ability to analyze complex data, identify root causes, and develop effective solutions for supply chain challenges.
  • Negotiation & Influence: Proven ability to negotiate favorable terms with suppliers and influence internal stakeholders.
  • Communication: Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to present complex information clearly and concisely.
  • Collaboration & Teamwork: A natural collaborator who can build strong relationships and work effectively across different departments.
  • Attention to Detail: Meticulous and highly organized, ensuring accuracy in purchase orders, data entry, and reporting.
  • Time Management & Prioritization: Ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
  • Adaptability & Resilience: Capable of thriving in a dynamic environment and effectively managing unforeseen disruptions.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

  • Bachelor's Degree

Preferred Education:

  • Master’s Degree or a professional certification such as APICS (CPIM, CSCP) or ISM (CPSM).

Relevant Fields of Study:

  • Supply Chain Management
  • Business Administration
  • Logistics
  • Operations Management

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range:

  • 3-5 years of direct experience in procurement, supply chain planning, material planning, or a closely related field.

Preferred:

  • Experience in a fast-paced manufacturing, CPG, or technology environment is highly desirable.
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