Buyer - Vinton

Ideal Industries is a state-of-the-art welding center and innovative fabrication company aligned with a leading manufacturer of commercial Sewer and Excavation Equipment. We are seeking a proactive and strategic full-time Buyer/Planner to manage the end-to-end procurement and production scheduling of fabricated components. This permanent, on-site role is critical in aligning material availability with daily manufacturing goals, optimizing inventory levels, and ensuring our production team maintains maximum efficiency and output. **Responsibilites:** - **Procurement & Planning:** Source, forecast, and purchase fabricated components to support a high-volume welding and fabrication environment, ensuring a seamless flow from raw materials to completed assemblies. - **MRP/ERP Optimization:** Master and execute purchasing and production planning requirements within the **Made2Manage (M2M)** ERP system, ensuring accurate lead times and data integrity. - **Inventory & Lean Control:** Implement and utilize **Kanban** and Lean Manufacturing principles to set and monitor stock levels, minimize carrying costs, eliminate bottlenecks, and ensure a lean flow of materials to the shop floor. - **Strategic Vendor Management:** Build and maintain long-term supplier relationships, negotiate pricing and terms, evaluate vendor performance, and resolve any logistics, quality, or billing deviations. - **Production Scheduling:** Collaborate closely with the General Manager and shop floor supervisors to develop, track, and adjust production schedules based on material arrivals and capacity. - **Continuous Improvement:** Analyze purchasing trends, track key performance indicators (KPIs), and identify cost-saving or process- efficiency opportunities within the supply chain. **Qualifications:** - **Education:** Bachelor’s degree in Business, Supply Chain Management, Operations, or a related technical field is preferred. APICS/CPIM certification is a strong plus. - **Experience:** Proven experience working as a Buyer, Planner, or Buyer/Planner specifically within a manufacturing environment is required. - **Technical Skills:** \* Proficiency with **Made2Manage (M2M)** or similar robust MRP/ERP systems. - Strong, practical understanding of **Kanban** and Lean Manufacturing principles. - General knowledge of welding and fabrication processes is highly advantageous. - **Soft Skills:** Excellent communication and negotiation skills, with the ability to bridge gaps effectively between external vendors and internal shop floor personnel. **Location & Commitment:** - **Scheduled Hours:** Monday – Friday, 7:30 am – 4:00 pm. - **Status:** Full-Time, Permanent, On-site position located in Vinton, Iowa.