Purchasing and Planning Manager

Thorlabs is pleased to play a role in advancing science through the components, instruments, and systems we design and manufacture. We believe that science and innovation have great potential to improve the world around us and are committed to advancing photonics (i.e., light-based) technologies that positively impact our customers, employees, and communities. Via educational outreach and more sustainable business practices, we continuously invest in a brighter future. We recognize that each of our employees is a unique individual with the ability to contribute to our success and seek to find great people who will thrive in our fun, fast-paced culture.

The Purchasing and Planning Manager will be responsible for, but not limited to, managing the supply chain, inventory, production scheduling functions for the Virginia Imaging Systems Group by:

• Working with operations, manufacturing, Engineering R&D, internal sales, and overseas offices

• Negotiating prices, establishing lead times and purchasing products,

• Planning, scheduling of machine shop and inventory management.

The role will also work with our overseas office staff to place and follow-up on all orders and verify and communicate to our internal and external sales team any manufacturing and shipping delays. Other tasks of this position will include project work to reduce costs and improve processes as well as on ongoing vendor evaluations. Although the location of the position is in Sterling, VA, from time to time it may be required to undertake duties at other Thorlabs locations.

• Key Purchasing and Planning tasks:

• Use the ERP system to purchase and plan all products
• Use Power BI reports to develop metrics to be able to ensure good on time delivery of product and reduce zero stock SKUs
• Develop daily purchasing, expediting, date and data management
• Produce daily planning scheduling/ re-scheduling/ date and data management
• Release, monitor and close work orders to support the build plan and open sales orders
• Generate purchasing requirements to ensure timely fulfillment of customer orders
• Generate, monitor, close and control production orders for machine shop.
• Schedule the availability of sufficient parts necessary to ensure the timely, uninterrupted flow of manufacturing processes and schedules
• Develop a plan and schedule to ensure the efficient and continual performance of manufacturing cell production
• Product Availability and Lead Time calculation
• Manage the data entry, document revision and control in TECM.
• Assist in positioning Engineering Change Orders (ECO) with proper ECO classification and including all products affected by the changes.
• Responsible for reviewing MRP Item Master fields and settings, electronically filing drawings, assembly instructions and miscellaneous engineering paperwork.
• Collecting and maintaining files of the latest revision level documentation necessary to process initial releases, corrections, and revisions to accurately control manufacturing processes.
• Initiates and participates in purchasing improvement and cost reduction programs
• Generate special and periodic reports as required or directed
• Inventory Control and Inventory Planning (Safety Stock, forecast, build/order size)
• Vendor Relationship Management

Requirements:
Experience:

• Minimum 5-7 years of experience in a similar and progressive position. At least 3 years' experience as a Purchaser or Planner in a manufacturing and product development environment

• Supervisor experience preferred
• Mastery of ERP system (SAP, Microsoft D365 preferred)
• Advanced Microsoft Excel skills (pivot tables, formulas, v-lookups, macros)
• Experience working both independently and with a team in an efficient and effective manner
• Sense of ownership, initiative and the determination to continually improve Proven record of and demonstrable both internal and external customer centricity

Education:

• Associates degree, bachelor's degree preferred, in business or related field. A technical degree or equivalent experience may be substituted • APICS certification preferred

Specialized Knowledge and Skills:
• Strong computer skills including Microsoft Excel

• Strong Inventory planning skills (Understanding of safety stock, forecasting, and made-to-order products)

• Strong understanding of how a product moves through an ERP system

• Strong knowledge of transaction processing

• Quickly resolve critical material shortages

• Strong ability to understand the capacity of production teams and accurately calculate lead times and production bottlenecks

• Strong ability to distribute orders in a timely manner

• Knowledge and understanding of BOMs and how they impact the forecast,

• purchase, and manufacturing requirements

• Understanding of product pricing and the ability to analyze costs against the

• profit margin

• Strong knowledge of supply risk analysis/contingency planning

• BOM generation and maintenance

• Version and Revision Control • Item & Order set-up

• New product set-up

• Aligning documentation and drawings to orders

• Strong ability to manipulate and analyze data

• Strong ability to build and manage all aspects of vendor relationships

• Experience in Document and Data Control

• Strong math, logic and analytical skills.

The estimated pay range for this role is $92,000 - $ 105,000 annually

Thorlabs values its diverse environment and is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. All qualified individuals will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identify or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age or veteran status. Job descriptions are not intended as and do not create employment contracts. The organization maintains its status as an at-will employer. Employees can be terminated for any reason not prohibited by law.

Benefits:
Thorlabs offers a complete benefits package that includes medical, dental and vision insurance, company paid life insurance, a generous PTO package, a 401(k) plan, and tuition reimbursement just to name a few.