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.

Supervisor Functions

• Manages department priorities and oversees day to day operations of planning functions.
• Manages departmental performance measures, including visual displays, dashboards, score cards, regular progress reports, and regular auditing of established rules and procedures.
• Fosters continuous improvement, interdepartmental collaboration, and continuous improvement culture by successfully developing others, building a successful team, providing meaningful work, facilitating change, aligning performance to company values.

Purchasing & Planning Functions 

• Use the Microsoft Dynamics MRP computer system to purchase and plan all products
• Use Power BI reports to develop metrics to be able to ensure good on time delivery of products and reduce zero stock SKUs
• Develop daily purchasing, expediting, date and data management
• Produce daily planning scheduling/ re-scheduling/ date and data management

Requirements

Qualifications

Experience:

• Minimum of 5 years' experience as a Purchaser or Planner in a manufacturing and product development environment with supervisory experience

Education:

• Associates degree, Bachelor's degree preferred, in business or related field. A technical degree or equivalent experience may be substituted
• APICS certification preferred
• Mastery of ERP system (SAP, Microsoft Dynamics 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
• 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

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.