Buyer/Planner III at Inogen in Richardson, Texas

Job Description:

Job Summary:

The Buyer/Planner is responsible for procuring raw material, expense items and equipment in support of manufacturing operations.  This includes establishing and maintaining the Kanban ordering process that triggers the need for raw material ordering.  In addition, they will release purchase orders with suppliers off of pre-existing blanket agreements and negotiate price with suppliers for lower-level/non-contract items.  They will expedite/delay raw material in accordance with manufacturing needs and track, research and improve line down part shortages.  Furthermore, they will set and manage to raw material inventory targets and turns improvement goals.  They will be a key part of the manufacturing team.

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

• Calculate and maintain Kanban/Ultriva order quantities.


• Order raw material using Kanban/Ultriva pull system.


• Expedite or delay raw material deliveries based on manufacturing needs.


• Resolve general problems with suppliers (i.e. - receiving errors, invoicing problems)


• Proactively identify and escalate major supply issues in a timely manner


• 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/visual management, including inventory accuracy.


• Responsible for training new suppliers on the use of Ultriva and emphasizing best practices.


• Negotiates with vendors for all materials, supplies, equipment and services used by the Company, where contract pricing is not established by the strategic procurement team.


• Coordinates with Supply Chain organization on integrating new suppliers.


• Coordinate the smooth 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.

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)

• Bachelors degree in Business Management, Supply Chain Management, Logistics, or related technical discipline, required.


• 5-7 years of experience in purchasing and inventory management, required; Preferably in medical device manufacturing.


• Intermediate proficiency/knowledge in Microsoft Office included Excel, required.


• MRP Systems experience, required. Preferable with Alliance and/or Great Plains.


• APICs certification – Supply Chain Professional, 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.