Sr Buyer/Planner

Basic Purpose:

The Sr. Planner/Buyer position is an on-site position that performs the plant level planning functions and specific finished goods product planning functions for Celestial Seasonings in Boulder, Colorado.  Additionally, they perform specific raw/pack planning functions and raw/pack purchasing functions for their assigned commodities.

 

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Utilizes Blue Yonder, Celestial’s planning system, to generate a weekly production plan for a two-year planning horizon and an associated material plan.
• Sets up new items, and maintains system parameters for existing items, in Prism, Blue Yonder, and our separate Excel based planning files.
• Identifies and reviews material and capacity constraints in Blue Yonder to tweak parameters as necessary to optimize the production plan.
• Utilizes Blue Yonder, Prism, Excel, etc. to monitor the inputs and outputs of the planning process to assure an appropriate plan has been generated.
• Utilizes data and financials to evaluate options, recommend improvements, and modify the planning strategy as needed.
• Monitors and maintains data accuracy in Prism, Blue Yonder, and our Excel files.
• Identifies and resolves Prism, Blue Yonder, and Excel process/transaction issues.

• Based on a detailed knowledge of their assigned commodities, they review, plan, and process Blue Yonder purchasing suggestions/changes. Then they create and maintain purchase orders; communicate new and changed POs with the vendors; and confirm prices, quantities, and scheduled delivery dates.
• Communicates issues and solutions on raw material status to interested parties.
• Reconciles purchase order and invoice discrepancies, processes any Return to Vendors (RTVs), consolidates associated PO documents, creates electronic copies of the consolidated PO documents, and files the consolidated PO documents.
• Partners with transportation to ensure raw materials planning optimizes inbound freight for cost and/or reliability while meeting the material plan’s requirements.
• Tracks key raw material receipts against contracted volumes.
• Calculates/reports on inventory levels and liabilities for their commodity items.
• Manually plans material requirements for their commodities used in new innovation items.
• Coordinates processing of Site Documents and associated prepayments for shipments that require it.
• Coordinates with Receiving, Operations, Quality Control, and R&D to review the quality of their raw materials.

• Assists with the annual budgets and contract reviews with Procurement and Finance.
• Acts as back-up for others in Celestial Planner and Buyer roles.
• Acts as back-up for Celestial production scheduling.
• Assists with other projects, as assigned.

Qualifications

Minimum Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent
• 3-5 years’ experience in a master scheduling, production planning, and/or buying/procurement capacity (or related roles) in an ERP/MRP based manufacturing environment.
• Advanced Excel skills.
• Advanced Computer skills (Business System, SQL, MES, and/or reporting tools).
• APICS certification is a plus.

Skills/Knowledge/Abilities:

• Excellent organizational skills with a strong attention to detail
• Microsoft Office computer skills including, but not limited to, Excel, Word, Teams, and Outlook.
• Good organizational and communication skills.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective cross-functional working relationships with a wide variety of people, at multiple levels of the organization, frequently in situations requiring tact and patience.
• Ability to work in fast paced environment, managing numerous details and interruptions.
• Able to interpret and explain company planning, scheduling, and purchasing policies and practices.
• Able to use initiative and judgment in solving problems.
• Team player, willing to complete special assignments as needed.

 

Compensation and Benefits:  

• $72,000 -$92,000 / year USD (commensurate with experience and location)