Buyer/Planner
Marmon Holdings · Charlottesville, Virginia, United States
MicroAire Surgical Instruments LLC
As a part of the global industrial organization Marmon Holdings—which is backed by Berkshire Hathaway—you’ll be doing things that matter, leading at every level, and winning a better way. We’re committed to making a positive impact on the world, providing you with diverse learning and working opportunities, and fostering a culture where everyone’s empowered to be their best.
The Buyer/Planner is responsible for the efficient and effective planning, procurement, and fulfillment of materials required for the manufacture of MicroAire medical devices. This role manages supplier relationships, optimizes inventory and material planning processes, analyzes supply chain performance data, and collaborates cross-functionally to ensure uninterrupted production while balancing quality, cost, delivery, and compliance requirements.
Under broad supervision, responsible for procurement of assigned items and executing buying strategies in accordance with agreed upon material buying plans at the optimum cost/quality relationship. Analyzes market and industry conditions and develops supply recommendations. Interviews sales representatives and vendors. Role typically requires between 3 and 5 years of experience.
+ Essential Duties and Responsibilities
Supplier Management and Strategic Sourcing
- Identify, qualify, develop, and manage suppliers to ensure a continuous supply of materials that meet quality and production requirements.
- Negotiate pricing, delivery, and contractual terms in support of sourcing strategies and business objectives.
- Identify and implement cost reduction opportunities while maintaining quality and service expectations.
- Monitor supplier performance and develop corrective action plans to improve quality, delivery, and responsiveness.
- Effectively manage and communicate supplier-related changes across the organization.
Material Planning and Inventory Management
- Utilize ERP systems to maintain planning parameters and optimize inventory, service levels, and material availability.
- Analyze demand signals and validate material requirements to ensure accurate planning and procurement.
- Create, maintain, and manage purchase orders and supplier schedules.
- Adjust supplier delivery plans and planning parameters to align with changing business requirements.
- Coordinate outside processing activities including heat treating, laser marking, anodizing, passivation, sterilization, and other subcontract services.
Quality and Compliance Support
- Collaborate with Quality, Engineering, and suppliers to investigate nonconformances and implement corrective actions.
- Review Document Change Orders (DCOs) and ensure timely implementation of supply chain impacts.
- Adhere to company policies, CGMP requirements, ISO standards, and regulatory requirements.
Data Analysis and Continuous Improvement
- Collect, organize, and analyze supply chain data to improve key performance indicators such as supplier quality, on-time delivery, purchase price variance, and inventory turns.
- Develop analytical reports and utilize tools such as Excel Pivot Tables, VLOOKUP functions, and ERP reporting tools to identify trends, risks, and opportunities.
- Recommend and implement process improvements that enhance operational efficiency and supply chain performance.
Cross-Functional Collaboration and Communication
- Work closely with Quality, Engineering, Manufacturing, Product Management, Sales, Marketing, and supplier partners to resolve issues and execute solutions.
- Participate on project development teams as needed.
- Coordinate with Production, Receiving, and Receiving Inspection to ensure material availability and address shortages.
- Serve as a member of the Material Review Board to resolve material and product discrepancies.
General Responsibilities
- Manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.
- Procure services and supplies for non-production business needs.
- Support departmental objectives and strategic initiatives.
- Perform additional duties as assigned.
+ Education and Experience
Required
- Bachelor’s degree in Business Management, Finance, Systems Engineering, Supply Chain Management, or a related field, plus at least three (3) years of related supply chain experience in procurement, planning, materials management/control, or similar functions with an ERP/MRP system for planning, purchasing and inventory management; or a total of at least five (5) years of related experience in these functions in lieu of a bachelor’s degree.
- Strong analytical, problem-solving, and organizational skills.
- Advanced proficiency with Microsoft Excel and other Microsoft Office applications.
Preferred
- Medical device, regulated manufacturing, or healthcare industry experience.
- APICS/ASCM certification (CPIM, CSCP, or equivalent).
- Knowledge of ISO 13485, ISO 9001, FDA regulations, RoHS, Conflict Minerals, EU MDR/MDD, and related compliance requirements.
- Experience with supplier performance management and strategic sourcing initiatives.
+ Competencies
Competency
Skills
Behaviors
Business Insight
- Supply chain knowledge
- Inventory management
- Financial awareness
- Uses business data to make decisions
- Balances cost, quality, and service objectives
- Understands impacts of decisions across the organization
Decision Quality
- Critical thinking
- Risk assessment
- Analytical problem solving
- Makes timely, well-informed decisions
- Evaluates alternatives objectively
- Resolves issues with confidence and accountability
Drives Results
- Planning, execution
- Prioritization
- Performance management
- Consistently meets commitments
- Manages multiple priorities effectively
- Maintains focus on outcomes and continuous improvement
Collaborates
- Relationship building
- Teamwork
- Conflict resolution
- Builds strong partnerships across departments and suppliers
- Shares information openly
- Achieves results through cooperation
Customer Focus
- Internal customer support
- Responsiveness
- Service orientation
- Anticipates customer and stakeholder needs
- Responds with urgency
- Delivers solutions that support operational success
+ Work Environment, Physical Demands and Protective Equipment
- Primarily works in a professional office and manufacturing environment.
- Makes routine visits to suppliers.
- Minimal physical demands associated with office-based work, including prolonged computer use.
- Supports manufacturing and warehouse areas as needed.
- Must comply with all company safety policies and procedures.
- Required to wear appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) when entering designated manufacturing or warehouse areas.
- Completes all required quality system, safety, and compliance training.
- May be required to comply with confidentiality, conflict of interest, and other company policies.
+ Schedule, Travel Responsibility, Special Conditions or Requirements
· Full-time position with standard business hours; flexibility may be required to support business needs.
· 5-10% domestic/international travel to suppliers, contract manufactures, industry events, or company locations.
· Must be capable of managing multiple projects and priorities in a dynamic manufacturing environment.
· Attendance at meetings outside of normal working hours may occasionally be necessary to support suppliers operating in different time zones.
Following receipt of a conditional offer of employment, candidates will be required to complete additional job-related screening processes as permitted or required by applicable law.
We are an equal opportunity employer, and all applicants will be considered for employment without attention to their membership in any protected class. If you require any reasonable accommodation to complete your application or any part of the recruiting process, please email your request to careers@marmon.com, and please be sure to include the title an