Buyer Planner

About the role

The Buyer Planner will execute purchasing and planning activities for Vision Research, ensuring that material supplies align with production schedules while supporting stockroom operations such as kitting and inventory counts.

Key responsibilities

• Develop and maintain relationships with existing suppliers and evaluate new vendors.
• Work with suppliers to optimise order quantities and frequency, reducing working capital and obsolescence risk.
• Drive improvements in supplier on‑time delivery and monitor key supplier metrics.
• Participate in sales and operations planning to match incoming material with product volume and mix requirements.
• Support design‑for‑manufacturing, value analysis and value engineering initiatives.
• Plan, purchase and manage resources, vendors and inventories (finished goods, WIP, raw material) to meet team and business goals.
• Maintain communication with teammates, vendors, accounting, IT, QA, customer service and distribution to resolve issues.
• Update material control systems to reflect changes in internal and external demand.
• Collaborate on inventory and logistics planning for new products, forecast reduction and cost‑reduction projects.
• Optimise inventory levels to improve turnover, component availability, transportation costs and minimise excess or obsolete stock.
• Ensure materials are purchased at the lowest cost, in required quantity and quality, within scheduled dates.
• Participate in Material Review Board (MRB) processes and oversee material quality, supply‑chain quality and delivery performance.
• Recommend cost‑reduction, value‑analysis and value‑engineering opportunities.
• Expedite vendor deliveries as needed and ensure compliance with INCO terms.
• Develop and maintain accurate standard costs for purchase components and assemblies.
• Advise management on competitive supply situations, alternative sources, commodity price trends and supply‑chain risks.

Required profile

• Proven ability to build and maintain effective supplier relationships.
• Strong analytical mindset for inventory forecasting, cost analysis and performance tracking.
• Experience collaborating across functions such as accounting, IT, QA and logistics.
• Detail‑oriented approach to material control, standard costing and compliance.
• Ability to influence process improvements and drive supplier performance metrics.

Required skills