Planner/Buyer at August Bioservices – Nashville, Tennessee
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About This Position
The Planner/Buyer is responsible for coordinating production planning and procurement activities to support the efficient manufacturing of pharmaceutical products. This role ensures raw materials, components, and services are available to meet production schedules while maintaining compliance with regulatory requirements and quality standards. The ideal candidate thrives in a fast-paced, small-company environment and can balance strategic planning with hands-on execution.
Production Planning
Develop and maintain production schedules based on customer demand, forecasts, and capacity constraints
Coordinate closely with manufacturing, quality, and warehouse teams to ensure schedule adherence
Monitor production progress and adjust plans as needed to address delays or changes in demand
Support new product introductions and tech transfers with planning and material readiness
Procurement / Buying
Source and procure raw materials, packaging components, and services required for GMP manufacturing
Issue and manage purchase orders; track order status to ensure on-time delivery
Maintain appropriate inventory levels while minimizing excess and obsolete stock
Identify and qualify suppliers in collaboration with Quality and Regulatory teams
Negotiate pricing, lead times, and supply agreements where applicable
Inventory & Materials Management
Monitor inventory levels and perform material requirements planning (MRP)
Ensure accurate inventory records in ERP systems
Collaborate with warehouse on receiving, storage, and material movement
Manage safety stock levels and reorder points
Cross-Functional Coordination
Partner with Quality Assurance to ensure materials meet GMP and regulatory standards
Work with Finance on cost control, budgeting, and invoice reconciliation
Communicate with customers (as needed) regarding timelines and material availability
Support audits by providing documentation and traceability of materials
Continuous Improvement
Identify opportunities to improve planning accuracy, supplier performance, and inventory turns
Participate in process improvement initiatives and system enhancements
Develop and track KPIs related to supply chain performance
Other duties as assigned
Education & Experience
Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain, Business, Life Sciences, or related field (or equivalent experience)
3+ years of experience in planning, procurement, or supply chain within pharmaceutical, biotech, or regulated manufacturing environment
Experience in a contract manufacturing (CMO/CDMO) environment preferred
Skills & Knowledge
Strong understanding of GMP requirements and regulated environments
Proficiency with ERP/MRP systems (e.g., SAP, Oracle, NetSuite, or similar)
Excellent organizational, problem-solving, and multitasking skills
Ability to manage multiple priorities in a small, dynamic company setting
Strong communication and cross-functional collaboration skills
Analytical mindset with attention to detail
APICS/ASCM certification (e.g., CPIM or CSCP)
Experience with demand planning and forecasting
Familiarity with supplier qualification and audit processes
- Fast-paced, growth-oriented small company environment
- Requires frequent interaction with manufacturing and warehouse areas