Buyer Planner

About Taco, Inc.

As a family-run business, Taco, Inc. cherishes its workforce as part of the "Taco family" and is dedicated to equipping employees with resources to maintain long, productive careers. The company promotes a positive mindset leading industry leadership, relationship-building both internally and externally, eagerness to learn and grow, and a drive for innovation and creativity.

Position Overview

The Buyer/Planner role involves overseeing planning needs for multiple product lines and managing the procurement of materials, goods, and services to satisfy operational and customer demands. Key responsibilities include meeting inventory goals for finished goods and work-in-process, ensuring on-time delivery, adhering to production schedules, managing inventory and past-due purchase orders, and successfully closing jobs. The role also requires building supplier relationships, negotiating costs, and supporting projects aligned with the Operations Department’s objectives.

Primary Responsibilities

• Develop production schedules and determine material needs based on sales forecasts, customer orders, and minimum inventory thresholds.
• Serve as the primary contact for designated product lines by coordinating daily with production and managing workload scheduling.
• Monitor work-in-progress to meet monthly production targets and adjust priorities as necessary.
• Ensure timely completion of customer orders and coordinate internally to meet shipping deadlines.
• Track metrics like on-time delivery rates, past-due sales order amounts, and inventory levels.
• Manage accurate job order data in the ERP system, including scheduling and job closure.
• Communicate priority changes and updated completion dates to supervisors and personnel.
• Participate in inventory cycle counts and collaborate across departments to resolve discrepancies.
• Work with production and engineering teams to verify Bill of Material accuracy and proper material usage.
• Maintain Material Requirements Planning (MRP) data such as lot sizes, lead times, and minimum order quantities for assigned products.
• Lead sourcing efforts to procure goods and services fulfilling demand and customer needs.
• Build and sustain supplier partnerships while exploring alternate sources for competitive pricing and supply security.
• Manage exception messages on supplier platform to expedite or defer orders as needed.
• Analyze supplier performance data to identify and resolve issues.
• Utilize the SourceDay platform daily for supplier communication and scheduling.
• Keep stakeholders informed about sourcing progress consistently and efficiently.
• Contribute to continuous improvement initiatives and participate in monthly Sales and Operations Planning (S&OP) meetings.
• Collaborate with finance, operations, and engineering teams regarding procurement activities.
• Ensure all procurement activities comply with company policies.
• Maintain professional verbal and written communication with colleagues, customers, and suppliers.
• Carry out additional duties as assigned by management.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain, Business, or Operations; substantial relevant experience may substitute for degree.
• Minimum of 3 years experience in procurement or supply chain roles, preferably within manufacturing.
• Proficiency using ERP systems and advanced skills in Microsoft Office.
• Ability to interpret procedural documents, technical datasheets, engineering drawings, and Bills of Materials.
• Strong negotiation and communication skills.
• Proven track record driving improvements in supply chain performance.
• Collaborative mindset focused on enhancing business outcomes.
• Willingness to travel up to 15% for client visits, conferences, and related activities.
• Preferred qualifications include APICS certification and knowledge of Six Sigma, Lean manufacturing, and 5S methodologies.

Work Environment

This role is primarily office-based, utilizing computers and requiring verbal and auditory communication. Occasional visits to production areas with heavy machinery and noise occur, where safety gear is mandatory. Flexible remote work up to two days per week is possible contingent on performance.

Management

This position does not have direct reports.

Employee Benefits and Culture

With a global team nearing 1,000 employees, Taco fosters a diverse and supportive community offering:

• Competitive salary and benefits packages.
• Opportunities for tuition reimbursement, career growth, and training programs.
• Profit-sharing philosophy.
• Commitment to family, health, and well-being.
• Support for personal and community development.
• Emphasis on diversity and inclusion.