Planner / Buyer III

THE COMPANY

Galvion is a global defense technology leader specializing in advanced protective solutions and intelligent power systems for military and tactical operations worldwide. We design, develop, and manufacture ballistic helmets and data management solutions for the modern battlefield. Galvion emphasizes innovation, collaboration, and forward-thinking design to meet the evolving needs of the modern world.

ABOUT THE OPPORTUNITY

The Planner / Buyer is responsible for planning, purchasing, and coordinating the supply of raw materials, components, and indirect goods and services to ensure seamless production and operational continuity. Acting as a key bridge across cross-functional teams—including Production, Quality, R&D, and Master Planning—this role oversees purchase order execution, manages supplier performance, expedites critical deliveries, and optimizes inventory levels. Additionally, the role drives supplier development, cost-reduction initiatives, and continuous process improvements in alignment with quality standards, production schedules, and overarching business objectives.

WHAT YOU’LL BE DOING

Material Planning & Purchasing

- Review MRP requirements and coordinate purchasing activities to support production, maintenance, R&D, and office requirements.

- Work closely with the Senior Planner/Master Planner and Inventory team to maintain optimal stock levels and prevent shortages or overstock situations.

- Analyze new material demands and determine appropriate purchasing and inventory requirements.

- Obtain current supplier quotations and negotiate pricing, lead times, payment terms, freight, and other purchasing conditions.

- Identify, evaluate, and negotiate with suppliers to secure advantageous terms and agreements.

- Create, place, and maintain purchase orders in the ERP system.

- Monitor all open purchase orders and establish an efficient and accurate system for tracking supplier commitments.

- Track incoming purchase order receipts and take corrective action when required.

- Expedite late or critical materials and clearly communicate revised receipt dates that could affect operations.

- Provide regular updates to Production and internal stakeholders regarding material availability and delivery risks.

- Provide a weekly purchase order status report to management.

- Purchase materials, tooling, molds, dies, and other equipment or revisions to existing equipment as required.

- Communicate purchasing outcomes and supplier commitments to internal customers.

- Reconcile discrepancies between supplier shipments purchase order and invoice.

Material Planning

- Utilize the ERP/MRP system to coordinate material requirements and collaborate with the Senior Planner/Master Planner on inventory needs.

- Maintain system integrity and ensure purchasing and planning data remains accurate and current.

- Maintain supplier lead times, standard costs, shelf life, lot sizes, minimum order quantities, and purchase order receipt dates.

- Identify and address system or data issues that could affect MRP accuracy or efficiency.

- Support inventory forecasting, supplier replenishment, supplier demand planning, and supplier capacity planning.

- Assist the Material Coordinator and Inventory team in maintaining appropriate inventory levels for regularly used materials.

- Develop strong supplier partnerships for purchased materials, including supplier stocking programs where applicable.

Supplier Performance & Cost Management

- Monitor supplier On-Time Delivery (OTD), quality, cost, responsiveness, and other relevant performance indicators.

- Provide and follow up on supplier performance metrics.

- Work with suppliers to implement corrective actions when performance expectations are not met.

- Ensure supplier performance metrics are sustained and continuously improved.

- Participate in purchasing and freight cost reduction initiatives that support company goals.

- Implement cost-effective purchasing strategies without compromising quality or reliability.

- Continually identify opportunities to improve supplier performance, purchasing costs, inventory levels, and overall procurement effectiveness.

- Proactively identify potential supply chain risks and communicate issues that could affect production or operational requirements.

- Support the development of contingency plans to mitigate supply disruptions.

- Evaluate supplier capability and capacity when new demands are identified.

- Continually look for and suggest new methods to make purchasing and planning systems and processes more effective.

- Participate in Lean initiatives and continuous improvement activities.

- Ensure compliance with relevant regulations, company policies, and ethical standards in procurement activities.

- Work with suppliers and Quality to manage Return Material Authorizations (RMA) activities.

- Support Supplier Corrective Action Requests (SCARs), including follow-up on supplier responses and corrective actions.

WHAT YOU’LL BRING

- 5+ years of experience in purchasing, material planning, or a related supply chain function.

- Associate’s Degree required; Bachelor’s Degree in Supply Chain Management, Business, Economics, or a related field preferred.

- Strong understanding of MRP processes and the variables that can affect MRP accuracy and efficiency.

- Experience working in a manufacturing environment.

- Experience using ERP operating software; Infor, D365 experience is an asset.

- Experience in purchasing injection plastic component, soft goods and raw material preferred.

- Strong Microsoft Excel and Microsoft Office skills.

- Experience with Lean initiatives.

- Familiarity with ISO requirements.

- Self-motivated, proactive and s trong attention to detail.

- Excellent organizational and time-management skills.

- Strong verbal and written communication skills.

- Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities.

- Ability to manage multiple priorities in a manufacturing environment.

- Quick learner with the ability to understand new products, materials, and processes.

- Strong team player with the ability to work effectively across departments.

- Ability to build and maintain effective supplier relationships.

- Ability to negotiate effectively with suppliers.

- Military experience is an asset.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

- Office-based work environment within a manufacturing facility.

- On-site presence required five (5) days per week.

- Regular interaction with Production, Planning, Purchasing, Inventory, Quality, and other cross-functional teams.

- Frequent coordination with suppliers to support material availability, purchasing activities, and production schedules.

Galvion provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, amnesty, or status as a covered veteran in accordance with applicable federal, state and local laws. Galvion complies with applicable state and local laws governing non-discrimination in employment in every location in which the company has facilities. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including, but not limited to, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.