As a Sr. Supply Chain Buyer & Planner, you will play a critical role in ensuring material availability from supplier selection through production readiness. You will be responsible for strategic procurement, supplier management, material planning, and clear-to-build (CtB) execution, partnering cross-functionally with Engineering, Production, Inventory, Quality, and Program Management to ensure production starts on time and customer commitments are met.
This role is ideal for someone who thrives in a fast-paced manufacturing environment, enjoys balancing both strategic sourcing and day-to-day execution, and takes ownership of solving supply chain challenges before they impact production.
What You'll OwnProcurement & Supplier Management - Source and procure wire harness components including wire, connectors, terminals, cable assemblies, and other production materials.
- Develop and maintain strong supplier relationships to ensure competitive pricing, quality, delivery, and long-term performance.
- Identify, qualify, and onboard new suppliers to expand the supply base while mitigating supply chain risk.
- Lead supplier negotiations for pricing, lead times, payment terms, and contractual agreements.
- Conduct supplier performance reviews and audits to ensure compliance with company and industry standards.
- Develop and implement cost reduction initiatives and supplier performance improvement plans.
- Monitor market trends, commodity pricing, and supply chain risks to proactively manage material availability.
- Willingness to travel occasionally for supplier visits and audits.
Material Planning & Production Readiness - Manage material readiness for assigned production orders from release through production start.
- Maintain accurate Clear-to-Build (CtB) status and projected material availability dates.
- Monitor material shortages and proactively resolve issues before they impact production schedules.
- Allocate available inventory across work orders based on production priorities and customer commitments.
- Coordinate supplier expedites and recovery plans for critical material shortages.
- Monitor open purchase orders to ensure deliveries align with production requirements.
- Maintain accurate shortage tracking, supplier updates, and planning data within ERP/MRP systems.
- Escalate supply constraints and material risks impacting factory schedules or customer deliveries.
Cross-Functional Collaboration - Partner closely with Production, Engineering, Inventory, Programs, and Quality to ensure seamless production execution.
- Coordinate BOM discrepancies, alternate part approvals, engineering changes, and material-related issues.
- Validate inventory accuracy, receiving status, and material transactions with Inventory teams.
- Support production planning meetings by providing accurate material readiness and supplier status updates.
- Partner with Quality to resolve supplier quality issues and ensure incoming materials meet company and industry standards.
- Support root cause analysis and corrective actions for recurring shortages, supplier issues, and planning inefficiencies.
- Drive continuous improvement initiatives across procurement, planning, ERP processes, and supply chain performance.
- Support special projects and strategic supply chain initiatives as needed.
What You'll Bring to the Team - 3+ years of experience in procurement, purchasing, supply chain planning, material planning, inventory management, or manufacturing operations.
- Experience in a fast-paced manufacturing environment; wire harness, aerospace, defense, electronics, or cable assembly experience is strongly preferred.
- Strong supplier negotiation and supplier relationship management skills.
- Experience managing purchase orders, supplier expedites, and material shortages.
- Strong organizational skills with the ability to prioritize multiple projects simultaneously.
- Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making abilities.
- Ability to interpret engineering drawings, BOMs, and technical specifications.
- Experience with ERP/MRP systems and Microsoft Office Suite.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
- Ability to collaborate cross-functionally with Engineering, Production, Inventory, Procurement, Quality, and Program Management.
- Strong sense of ownership, urgency, and attention to detail.
- Must be able to lift up to 35 lbs.
Preferred Qualifications - Experience in wire harness manufacturing.
- Familiarity with IPC/WHMA-A-620 standards.
- Experience with SQL and Power BI.
- Experience using CAD tools.
- Experience with Lean Manufacturing and continuous improvement initiatives.
- Experience improving ERP planning tools, reporting, and material workflows.
Key Deliverables - Ensure all assigned production orders achieve accurate Clear-to-Build status.
- Maintain uninterrupted material flow to support on-time production starts.
- Develop and execute recovery plans for all material-constrained work orders.
- Improve supplier performance in quality, cost, and delivery.
- Reduce material shortages through proactive planning and supplier management.
- Drive continuous improvement in procurement, planning accuracy, and supply chain performance.
Compensation: - Compensation will be based on experience, qualifications, and other job-related factors.
- Salary Range:$115,000-150,000
- This is an onsite role at our headquarters in Redondo Beach, CA.
Benefits: - Unmatched opportunities to drive impact on a friendly and mission-driven team
- Own a piece of the pie with equity participation!
- Comprehensive medical, dental, vision, life and long-term disability coverage
- Flexible Spending Account (FSA) and Dependent Spending Account (DSA) for health-related expenses
- 20 vacation days per year and 12 company holidays for rest and relaxation
- a 401(k) plan to set yourself up for retirement
- Choose a record you love, and we'll add it to our growing vinyl collection!
- $50/month DoorDash credit - lunch is on us!
- Up to $100/month reimbursement for gym memberships
- Fully stocked kitchen with snacks and beverages
- Regular team-building events, lunches, and the occasional breakfast burrito!
- Bright, open office with communal spaces for collaboration and free parking
- Conveniently located near the metro, major freeways and local dining spots
Pay range
$115,000-$150,000 USD
