Buyer/Planner I - Entry Level - SATO America

At SATO America, LLC our mission is to create new value for our customers through products and services of superior quality, and to contribute towards a better and more sustainable world. In over 80 years, SATO has fostered a culture of professionalism and customer-centric innovation with an unchanging mission of value creation for customers that, in turn, contributes to a more sustainable world. Do you have what it takes to be our customer’s most trusted partner for mutual growth, and always essential in an ever-changing world? If so, look no further. We have a place for you. 

SUMMARY:  The Buyer/Planner will be responsible for the ongoing procurement and negotiations of materials, components, equipment, supplies and services that meet the quality standards of the company. Assume full responsibility for planning requirements and supply chain management to ensure timely (scheduled) deliveries of goods and services within budget and/or standard costs. Relies on experience and judgement to plan and accomplish goals.

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES*:

Purchasing/Planning

• Govern the complete procurement process from PO submission to PO receipt

• Generate and process purchase orders for materials, services, and supplies from purchase requisitions or various planning reports 

• Identify, qualify, and recommend suppliers with respect to cost, quality, and delivery competitiveness

• Submit Requests for Quote (RFQ’s) to suppliers and analyze quotes 

• Identify, suggest, and lead cost minimization initiatives 

• Interface with suppliers with respect to price, availability of materials, and lead times

• Implement the appropriate actions as driven by changes in the production schedule or customer requirements (expedite, defer, cancel, etc.)

• Ensure order confirmations are received for every Purchase Order

• Maintain Purchase Order expected arrival dates in ERP system

• Upload Purchase Orders, Supplier Order Confirmations, to Transform Content Center (TCC) (Digital Document Archive)

• Work with Suppliers and Accounts Payable to resolve invoice price discrepancies

• Work with suppliers to resolve shipment errors 

• Provide forecasts to suppliers as required

• Monitor and report market trends and conditions on commodity raw materials

• Communicate delays that affect customer expected ship dates with Management, Customer Service and Manufacturing 

• Monitor and follow-up on past due arrival dates

• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with suppliers 

• Assist in the execution of supply agreements

• Demonstrates appropriate negotiating skills with suppliers to secure appropriate cost, schedule, quality, payment, and delivery terms

• Continually assess existing suppliers to ensure they meet the Company’s objectives for quality, capacity, and total cost

• Resolve material non-conformances/supplier quality issues. Submit and track Supplier Corrective Action Requests (SCARs)

• Coordinate the return of defective products

Planning

• Review sales forecasts, production schedules, and sales/usage history to determine material requirements for designated items

• Review and analyze planning worksheets. Determine and order optimal quantities

• May plan and procure raw materials to support label manufacturing or hardware requirements

• Analyze and adjust min/max stocking levels to coincide with changing customer demand, lead time changes and other initiatives

Inventory

• May enter Inventory Adjustments as approved for hardware products  

Other

• Provide input and participation as required to meet organizational continuous improvement objectives

• Write and maintain departmental work instructions as needed

• Create and submit monthly reports as required

• Respond to order status inquiries from sales staff, project and product managers, and customer service

• Assist with facility maintenance and janitorial operations using preapproved service providers 

• May provide import paperwork to customs brokers as requested 

• Develop and maintain knowledge of assigned product lines, collaborate with Product Management to gain a better understanding of product line and how to best support

• Perform all other duties as assigned

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Associate degree in Business or related experience preferred

• 0-2 years’ experience in planning, sourcing, and purchasing inventory, experience gained in a manufacturing environment required

• Solid working knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite

• ERP purchasing/planning/inventory/scheduling highly preferred

• Experience with International logistics and procurement procedures a plus 

• Must have ability to recognize and analyze complete inventory purchasing processes to identify improvements and assist with implementing “best practices”

• Strong attention to detail, highly organized with the ability to multi-task and work in a fast-paced environment

• Excellent, verbal, written and interpersonal communication skills

• Experience in the label manufacturing industry a plus

• Professional Certifications (CSCP, CPM, CPIM, etc.) helpful

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions*.

• Sitting: Remaining in the seated position 

• Dexterity: Picking, pinching, or otherwise working primarily with fingers rather than with the whole hand or arm as in handling 

• Talking: Expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word to impart oral information to clients or to the public and to convey detailed spoken instructions to other workers accurately, loudly, or quickly

WORK ENVIRONMENT: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.  Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions*.

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.

SATO America LLC offers a highly competitive salary in addition to an outstanding, market-leading benefits program. SATO’s total compensation package extends well beyond your paycheck as it's designed to support and enrich your personal and professional life. See our benefit line-up below: 

• Health & Wellness: medical, vision, and dental insurance to include coverage for domestic partners. SATO contributes approximately 75% to the cost of employees’ health insurance coverage along with 100% company paid Life & AD&D, short-term and long-term disability insurance, and a pre-tax Health Savings Account with an employer contribution of $500.00 or $1,000.00 depending on elected medical coverage.  

• Time Away: We observe 10 company-paid holidays per year and up to ten (10) days accrued vacation time in the first year. Eleven (11) days at year two (2). Twelve (12) days at year three (3). Thirteen (13) days at year four (4) and fifteen (15) days at year five (5). We also offer six (6) accrued personal days for you to use for things like weddings, moving, mental health, religious holiday, sick child or for anything that is truly personal.

• Saving for the Future: plan for your short-term and long-term goals with our 401(k)-retirement savings plan with employer match with no vesting schedule. You are fully vested on the first of the month following 30 days of employment. SATO will match 100%/dollar-for-dollar of your 401(k)-deferral amount of the first 3% of your pay and an additional match of 50%/$.50 on the next 2% of your pay. For example, if you defer 5% of your pay into the 401(k) Plan, SATO will make a 4% matching contribution.

• Work-Life: we offer an Employee Assistance Program for employees and eligible family members, career development, growth opportunities, and referral bonuses.

SATO America LLC is an Equal Opportunity Employer that does not discriminate on the basis of actual or perceived race, color, creed, religion, national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, age, sex or gender (including pregnancy, childbirth and pregnancy-related conditions), gender identity or expression (including transgender status), sexual orientation, marital status, military service and veteran status, physical or mental disability, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state or local laws and ordinances. If you are excited about this role but do not meet all the qualifications listed above, we encourage you to apply. 

We are focused on creating and fostering a diverse and inclusive workforce. SATO America LLC's management team is dedicated to this policy with respect to recruitment, hiring, placement, promotion, transfer, training, compensation, benefits, employee activities, access to facilities and programs and general treatment during employment.