Buyer / Planner at Kurt Manufacturing in Minneapolis, Minnesota

Job Description:

Kurt Manufacturing is seeking a Buyer / Planner.  The Buyer / Planner is responsible for purchasing the raw materials, components, and services needed to meet production requirements and surpass customer expectations. This position evaluates and analyzes supplier quotes, negotiates prices, maintains relationships with vendors, and ensures orders are delivered on time.

Essential Functions

• Source, negotiate, and select vendors that meet the company’s quality, price, and delivery requirements.


• Develop and maintain effective relationships with vendors and suppliers.


• Monitor supplier performance in terms of quality, cost, and delivery.


• Review and analyze purchase requisitions and generate purchase orders.


• Monitor inventory levels to ensure minimum stock levels are maintained.


• Ensure timely delivery of items and follow up with vendors on late orders.


• Resolve invoice discrepancies with vendors.


• Maintain accurate records of purchases, pricing, and other important data.


• Prepare reports on purchase activity and supplier performance.


• Opening and maintaining internal and external manufacturing production orders

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in business, supply chain management, or related field (or equivalent experience)


• 5+ years of experience in purchasing, buying, and/or planning preferred


• Excellent communication, negotiation, and problem-solving skills


• Strong knowledge of purchasing principles and procedures


• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Work, PowerPoint)


• Able to work in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment


• Strong organizational and time management skills


• Able to work independently and collaboratively with a team

Preferred Requirements and Qualifications

• Professional certification (ASQ or APICS)

Other Duties

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice. Reliable attendance is required.

Physical Demand Factors

The following physical demand factors should be used as a general guideline for employees listed under this job title.  Specific requirements will vary based on the employee’s individual work responsibilities.

Strength Level Rating:  Light work.  Work involves exerting up to 20 pounds of force occasionally, or up to 10 pounds of force frequently, or a negligible amount of force constantly to move objects.

The worker will occasionally (up to 1/3 of the time):

• Perceive attributes of objects, such as size, shape, temperature, or texture by touch


• Adjust vision to bring objects into sharp focus

A worker in this job will frequently (from 1/3 to 2/3 of the time):

• Reach by extending hands and arms; and handle objects by seizing, holding, grasping, turning or otherwise working with hands


• Pick, pinch, or otherwise work primarily with fingers


• Talk by expressing or exchanging communication by means of the spoken word to impart oral information


• Hear by perceiving the nature of sounds by ear


• Have near acuity with clarity of vision at 20 inches or less