The Buyer/Planner I supports API’s efforts to win business via leveraging our machining capabilities by working closely with the Sales team, Machine Shop, and various raw material suppliers. The Buyer/Planner pulls together recommendations and quotes to support API’s objective to provide competitive solutions on these opportunities. The Buyer/Planner I uses customer-supplied drawings, specifications, and other documentation to determine material and machining costs, and any outside services required.

A typical day:

• Provide timely material, machining, and outside services quotes, based on customer requirements.
• Read and understand drawings to produce quotes for sales and machine shop customers.
• Obtain quotes for material, machining, and outside services.
• Successfully interact with Sales, Machine Shop, Shop Scheduler, Engineering, and others to obtain all the information required to establish accurate quotes.
• Collaborate with the Sales team to identify and recommend design or specification changes that improve manufacturability and reduce production costs, when appropriate.
• Communicate with machine shop on material & machining requirements for non-standard products.
• Track quote activity and win/loss performance. Collaborate with Sales to identify trends and continuously improve quote competitiveness and win rates.
• Additional duties as needed.

The ideal candidate requires the following:

• High School Diploma.
• Proficient experience and knowledge with Excel.
• High level of math skills, including algebra, unit conversion, and ratios.

We highly prefer the following:

• Bachelor’s degree in business, finance, or mathematics.
• 1+ years of buying, planning, or scheduling experience in a production/manufacturing environment.
• Ability to read and understand technical drawings.
• Technical writing skills are a plus.