The Buyer/Planner is responsible for the material planning and procurement of raw material, expense items, and equipment in support of manufacturing operations. The Buyer/Planner works to drive improvement and achieve key daily goals in Safety, Quality, Delivery, Inventory, and Productivity (SQDIP) to allow the manufacturing team to produce medical devices for our patients.

In addition to supporting the factory through purchasing, the Buyer/Planner plays a key role in product lifecycle management and performs the materials planning for new product development, end-of-life planning, and sustaining engineering changes. This position requires the ability to indirectly lead in the manufacturing organization and to build strong working relationships across functional areas and with suppliers. The Buyer/Planner works closely with suppliers to implement actions plans focused on meeting the Company’s quality, reliability, and delivery requirements.

Responsibilities (Specific tasks, duties, essential functions of the job)

• Communicate and coordinate with the manufacturing team to ensure continuous supply of product, meeting quality and delivery standards.
• Participate in daily management and brief the status of Key Performance Indicators.
• Calculate and maintain Kanban order quantities and target inventory levels.
• Order raw material using a Kanban pull system and audit the Kanban system.
• Resolve general problems with suppliers (i.e. - receiving errors, invoicing problems).
• Identify and escalate strategic supply issues.
• Monitor and improve line-down part shortages and supplier on-time delivery.
• Establish and achieve inventory reduction goals for raw material through detailed inventory analysis and action plans.
• Implement and sustain improvements in inventory 5S and visual management to improve inventory accuracy, flow, and availability.
• Responsible for onboarding and integrating new suppliers.
• Negotiate with vendors for materials, supplies, equipment, and services used by the Company, where contract pricing is not established.
• Coordinate the transition of raw material during the launch of new products and engineering change orders.
• Maintain regular and punctual attendance.
• Comply with all company policies and procedures.
• Assist with any other duties as assigned.

Buyer/Planner II

In addition to the responsibilities above, a Buyer/Planner II may also be responsible for the following.

• Focus on designing and implementing continuous process improvement strategies.

• Perform supplier development as part of a team.
• Lead simple supply chain improvements individually or serve as part of a team for complex improvements.
• Perform supply/demand analysis to identify future requirements.

Buyer/Planner III (Supply Chain Engineer)

In addition to items listed for Buyer/Planner II, a Buyer/Planner III (Supply Chain Engineer) may also be responsible for the following.

• Evaluate supplier performance by working closely with Engineering, Manufacturing, and Quality to prioritize improvements needed for procurement of incoming products and/or services
• Managing supply chain projects from start to finish including project vetting, team formation, planning, execution, stakeholder alignment/communication, and capturing deliverable values.
• Determine and apply the appropriate safety stock methodology to achieve target in-stock levels.
• Develop and update procedures and standard work for end-to-end supply chain processes.
• Measure and improve forecast accuracy.
• Analyze the supply chain current state and identify and prioritize improvement projects.
• Measure supplier performance and perform supplier development as part of a team.

Buyer/Planner IV (Senior Supply Chain Engineer)

In addition to items listed for Buyer/Planner III (Supply Chain Engineer) a Buyer/Planner IV (Senior Supply Chain Engineer) may also be responsible for the following.

• Train and mentor junior buyers with a focus on developing problem solving, decision-making, and negotiating skills.
• Conduct ABC analysis and assist in the development of inventory reduction targets to achieve turns goals.
• Perform statistical analysis of historical datasets to help determine inventory planning targets.
• Conduct gap analysis to drive the company towards our ideal future state.
• Negotiate supplier stocking agreements and lead time reduction targets.
• Perform multi-tier supplier risk assessments.

• Work with suppliers on root-cause problem solving for on time delivery and quality issues.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• High sense-of-urgency, work ethic.
• Strong analytical and planning ability.
• Highly organized.
• Attention to detail.
• Effective conflict resolution and communication skills
• Ability to problem-solve complex solutions both daily and long-term.
• Lean manufacturing practitioner.
• Ability to effectively interface with different departments within the company.
• A willingness to spend significant time on the factory floor problem-solving and collaborating.
• Ability to effectively interface with different departments within the company.
• Solutions-oriented problem solver.
• Excellent planning, communication and organizational skills.
• Ability to effectively interface with different departments within the company.

Qualifications (Experience and Education)

Level I

Buyer/Planner I

• Bachelors degree in Business Management, Supply Chain Management, Operations Management, Logistics, or related technical discipline such as Economics or Engineering, required.
• 0-3 years of experience in purchasing and inventory management, required; Medical device manufacturing, preferred.
• Intermediate proficiency/knowledge in Microsoft Office included Excel, required.
• ERP Systems experience, preferred.
• A combination of training, education and experience that is equivalent to the qualifications listed above and that provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities.

Level II

Buyer/Planner II

• Bachelors degree in Business Management, Supply Chain Management, Operations Management, Logistics, or related technical discipline such as Economics or Engineering, required.
• 3-5 years of experience in purchasing and inventory management, required; Medical device manufacturing, preferred.
• Intermediate proficiency/knowledge in Microsoft Office included Excel, required.
• ERP Systems experience, required.
• APICs certification – Supply Chain Professional (CSCP), Productions and Inventory Management (CPIM) or American Purchasing Society Certified Purchasing Professional (CPP), preferred.
• A combination of training, education and experience that is equivalent to the qualifications listed above and that provides the required knowledge, skills and abilities.

Level III

Buyer/Planner III

(Supply Chain Engineer)

• Bachelors degree in Business Management, Supply Chain Management, Operations Management, Logistics, or related technical discipline such as Economics or Engineering, required.
• 5+ years of experience in purchasing and inventory management, required; Medical device manufacturing, preferred.
• Intermediate proficiency/knowledge in Microsoft Office included Excel, required.
• ERP Systems experience, required.
• APICs certification – Supply Chain Professional (CSCP), Productions and Inventory Management (CPIM) or American Purchasing Society Certified Purchasing Professional (CPP), preferred.
• A combination of training, education and experience that is equivalent to the qualifications listed above and that provides the required knowledge, skills and abilities.

Level IV

Buyer/Planner (Senior Supply Chain Engineer)

• Bachelors degree in Business Management, Supply Chain Management, Operations Management, Logistics, or related technical discipline such as Economics or Engineering, required.
• Demonstrated competency with supplier management, development, and negotiation.
• 7+ years of experience in purchasing and inventory management, required; Medical device manufacturing, preferred.
• Advanced proficiency/knowledge in Microsoft Office included Excel, required.
• ERP Systems experience, required.
• APICs certification – Supply Chain Professional (CSCP), Productions and Inventory Management (CPIM) or American Purchasing Society Certified Purchasing Professional (CPP), preferred.
• A combination of training, education and experience that is equivalent to the qualifications listed above and that provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities.

Disclaimer

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this classification. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required of personnel so classified.

Inogen assesses market data to ensure a competitive compensation package for our employees. The base salary for this position is expected to be between $81,000.00 and $97,000.00 annually. However, actual base salary if hired will be determined on an individualized basis and will be based on non-discriminatory factors, including as to individual skills, education, experience and market location.

Our Benefits and Rewards:

In addition to the expected base salary, this role is eligible to participate in Inogen’s annual performance bonus incentive plan, highly competitive and company-sponsored benefits, and wellbeing programs rooted in our strong culture of excellence. As a valued member of our team, Inogen provides health, dental, and vision insurance, 401(k) plan plus employer contribution and match, and generous paid leaves such as vacation and sick leave, including paid volunteer time, that can support you and your family through moments that matter.

Inogen is an Equal Employment Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer - Underrepresented racial and ethnic groups/Females/Individuals with Disabilities/Protected Veterans.