Buyer/Planner II

Warn Automotive, part of Vehicle Service Group is a world leader in driveline disconnect technology. Our heritage comes from making WWII surplus Jeeps easier to drive on the road with the first unlocking hubs. We continue today by making disconnects for cars, trucks, and SUVs around the world. These trusted technologies come from years of innovation and listening to our customer's needs. We have a bright future ahead so come join our growing team at Warn Automotive.

Company Overview:

Warn Automotive can trace its beginning back to 1948, when Arthur Warn invented the first disconnecting four-wheel-drive hub for surplus World War II vehicles. Since that time, our products have continued to lead the industry with a history of innovation in Powertrain Disconnect technology.

Almost 75 years later, our products are sold to OEMs around the world, enhancing the performance, traction and capability of their vehicles while reducing fuel consumption and emissions to create a more mobile and efficient future.

Operating from our headquarters and manufacturing facility in Milwaukie, Oregon and our customer support center in Livonia, Michigan, Warn Automotive is proud to be part of Vehicle Service Group (VSG) a Dover Company.

Position Summary:

Provides leadership in support of team quality, product distribution, receiving, and problem-solving issues while ensuring that customer expectations are met.

Warn Automotive is a fully committed team-based organization. The Warehouse Supervisor must be a leader and a coach, not a directive controller. Accountability for distribution/receiving team performance resides with the Warehouse Supervisor and must accomplish team objectives through team leadership and development.

Essential Job Functions Include:

• Researches, selects and purchases quality indirect products and materials.
• Manages and converts requisitions into purchase orders.
• Updates and monitors inventory ensuring that stock levels are maintained at appropriate levels.
• Reviews material requirements report outputs and recommends and/or takes appropriate Purchasing actions, under limited supervision.
• Ensures production never stops due to a parts and/or services shortage.
• Participates in engineering, production control, purchasing and other activities to achieve optimum utilization of facilities in meeting production schedules and customer demands, both internal and external.
• Provides input to team regarding problems such as shortages, design changes, backlogs, etc.
• Maintains purchasing and related information systems databases, as assigned.
• Works on Company-wide projects with key suppliers as assigned.
• Participates and facilitates visitations to supplier facilities.
• Represents the company in negotiations and business activities with suppliers, as assigned, places purchase orders with suppliers.
• Holds vendors accountable to existing agreements.
• Acts as backup to Supply Chain Planner III and has ability to perform these tasks as needed:
  • Plans and issues schedules and material requirements.
  • Coordinates engineering, production control, purchasing and other activities to achieve optimum utilization of facilities in meeting production schedules and customer demands, both internal and external.
  • Provides input to team regarding problems such as shortages, design changes, backlogs, etc.
  • Develop production schedule and manufacturing plan consistent with finish product demand, resource availability and inventory level objectives.
  • Act as secondary contact for communication with and management of outside processing vendors.
  • Schedules the production of materials that meet the inventory requirements of the business.
  • Review MRP and generate or release work orders to meet demand requirements and inventory plan.
  • Identifies and acts on exceptions to demand or production schedule.
  • Provides information to and coordinates with Buyers to aid in the scheduling of parts.
  • Maintains open communication with Production Management to ensure manufacturing and inventory plans are clearly understood and fulfilled.
  • Maintains accurate records and documentation for history and audit purposes.
• Accountable for Sarbanes-Oxley compliance in assigned area. Responsible for design and operating effectiveness of internal controls, including a self-assessment and report to management.
• Accountable for developing and monitoring processes and practices necessary for legal and ethical compliance in assigned area.
• Work safely and without injury.
• Responsible for prompt and regular attendance as scheduled.
• Performs other various duties as may be assigned.

Education and/or Experience:

• Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent.
• Three to five years of previous production planning or supply chain planning experience.
• Experience working with ERP/MRP systems required.
• Professional certifications (ISM, ASCM) preferred.

Required Qualifications, Skills and Abilities:

• Strong understanding of order management processes with Enterprise Resource Management (ERP) systems.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office (including Excel, Word, Outlook, etc.) or similar software.
• Working knowledge of quality system requirements and good manufacturing practices.
• Strong oral and written communication skills commensurate with the job tasks and position necessary to communicate clearly and effectively with internal and external customers while providing exceptional quality of work and outstanding customer service. Ability to present information in a manner designed to educate or inform other team members and customers in one-on-one or group interactions as directed.
• Ability to review, comprehend, interpret, process and evaluate effectively written work instructions and procedures written in English in conjunction with the performance of the essential functions and other assigned job duties.
• Willingness to learn new skills with an appetite to grow in the company.
• Strong interpersonal and conflict resolution skills including ability to work efficiently in a fast-paced work environment while maintaining a calm, rational and respectful demeanor and communication style in times of stress occasioned by work demands, tight timelines, heavy production expectations, unexpected quality control issues, and other work-related issues or concerns that may cause a heightened level of anxiety, frustration, anger, disappointment, confusion, etc.
• Enthusiastic adoption and consistent demonstration of Warn Automotive's Core Values: Collaborative Entrepreneurial spirit, Winning Through Customer Foxuesd Innovation, Respects & Values People, Expectations for Results, High Ethical Standards, Openness and Trust.
• Strong technical, trouble-shooting, problem solving, research, organizational and analytical skills, combined with the ability to prioritize tasks and meet established deadlines. Ability to multitask is also essential while remaining flexible with changing priorities and deadlines.
• Well-reasoned decision making with a high attention to detail regarding organization, planning, work flow, and project prioritization to ensure tasks are completed efficiently and accurately.
• Highly ethical, self-motivated individual with ability to work independently and/or with limited direction, as well as cooperatively in a team environment, while consistently demonstrating collaborative, respectful and productive work habits.

Benefits & Perks:

• Medical, Dental, and Vision start on day one of hire
• Fertility Treatment Coverage
• 10 Paid Holidays and a Generous PTO Policy
• 401(k) with Employer Matching, Profit Sharing, and Annual Contributions
• Bonus Plans
• Paid Parental Leave
• Employee Assistance Programs
• Employee Discount Programs
• Career Growth, including Onsite Training and Tuition Reimbursement

Work Culture:

At Warn Automotive, we not only respect diversity, we actively seek it. We have a culture that promotes continuous improvement for our products and our people. We provide learning opportunities to help you take your skills to the next level. We value innovation, integrity and ownership in exceeding the high bar we set for ourselves in delivering for our customers.

The characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The information contained in this job description is for compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (A.D.A.) and is not an exhaustive list of the duties that may be required for this position. Additional duties are performed by the individuals currently holding this or similar positions and additional duties may be assigned.

We consider several job-related, non-discriminatory factors when determining the pay rate for a position, including, but not limited to, the position’s responsibilities, a candidate’s work experience, a candidate’s education/training, the position’s location, and the key skills needed for the position. Pay is one of the Total Rewards that we provide to compensate and recognize employees for their work.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, disability, age, genetic information, or any other factors prohibited by law