Supply Chain Planner Buyer in at Beckhoff Automation Llc

The Supply Chain Planner Buyer plays a critical role in ensuring product availability, inventory optimization, and on-time delivery of Beckhoff Automation solutions to customers throughout the United States. This position is responsible for planning, purchasing, forecasting, supplier coordination, and inventory management activities that support organizational growth and customer satisfaction.

The ideal candidate combines strong analytical skills with proactive problem-solving and a continuous improvement mindset to effectively manage product availability while minimizing inventory costs and supply chain risks.

Key Responsibilities

Supply Planning & Inventory Management

• Plan, order, and schedule receipt of assigned products and services to meet customer demand.
• Coordinate inventory control parameters, including lead times, safety stock levels, and days of supply.
• Review system-generated planning requirements and determine purchasing actions needed to satisfy demand.
• Manage assigned product lines and components to optimize inventory levels, increase inventory turns, and reduce total cost of ownership.
• Analyze material shortages and communicate availability updates to Customer Service and Sales teams.

Supplier Management & Procurement

• Issue purchase orders and verify supplier receipt and acceptance.
• Monitor open purchase orders and expedite deliveries as needed to ensure timely receipt of materials.
• Collaborate with suppliers to assess capacity, transportation logistics, inventory management practices, and delivery performance.
• Coordinate quality concerns, engineering changes, and product updates between suppliers and internal stakeholders.
• Establish delivery schedules that balance customer requirements with inventory and financial objectives.

Process Improvement & Operational Excellence

• Drive continuous improvement initiatives focused on planning methods, forecasting practices, inventory management, and supply chain efficiency.
• Apply lean principles and inventory management techniques such as Kanban, PFEP, and other continuous improvement methodologies.
• Support Sales & Operations Planning (S&OP) activities by preparing reports, presenting data, and contributing to business planning discussions.
• Analyze operational performance metrics and provide recommendations to improve service levels and reduce waste.
• Participate in special projects and other duties as assigned.

Disclaimer: This job description is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, or qualifications associated with the position. The company reserves the right to modify duties or assign additional responsibilities as necessary to meet business needs. Other duties as assigned.

What Makes This Role Unique

• Best-in-Class Tech: Represent a highly differentiated automation platform
• Established Culture: Join a strong, values-driven organization
• Strategic Impact: Directly influences product availability, customer satisfaction, and inventory performance across the U.S. organization.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Partners closely with Sales, Customer Service, Engineering, Quality, Marketing, and global suppliers.
• Continuous Improvement Focus: Opportunities to drive meaningful process enhancements and operational efficiencies.

What We’re Looking For – Required Skills & Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Operations Management, Industrial Technology, Business, or a related field preferred.
• Understanding of demand forecasting, inventory planning, purchasing, and inventory control principles.
• Experience supporting purchase-to-stock, configure-to-order, and engineer-to-order environments.
• Knowledge of lean manufacturing and supply chain planning concepts, including techniques such as Kanban and PFEP.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to interpret data and identify opportunities for improvement.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications, particularly Excel, and experience utilizing ERP systems for planning, purchasing, and inventory management.
• Excellent organizational, time management, and prioritization skills with strong attention to detail.
• Effective communication and relationship-building skills with the ability to collaborate across departments and work with external suppliers.
• Ability to work independently, demonstrate initiative, and develop creative solutions in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong customer service mindset, sense of urgency, accountability, and commitment to achieving results.