Planner/Buyer

As a Planner/Buyer at Cosette Pharmaceuticals, Inc., you will be responsible for sourcing and procuring raw materials and components, identifying supply gaps using ERP systems, and ensuring that production requirements are met. You will also manage purchase orders, negotiate prices with vendors, and perform inventory evaluations to maintain supply levels.

To be considered for the Planner/Buyer position at Cosette Pharmaceuticals, candidates should have at least a high school diploma, although an AA degree is preferred. Additionally, two years of related experience in a materials organization or manufacturing is preferred, along with proficiency in math and excellent communication skills.

In the role of Planner/Buyer at Cosette Pharmaceuticals, you will act as a liaison between vendors and the company, monitoring their performance and negotiating prices. You’ll need to establish action plans to tackle any vendor issues that may arise, ensuring that the production schedule is not impacted.

As a Planner/Buyer at Cosette Pharmaceuticals, you'll primarily use an ERP system like Oracle for materials requirements planning. Skills in computer proficiency are crucial for tracking inventory levels, managing purchase orders, and performing necessary ERP maintenance.

Essential skills for a Planner/Buyer at Cosette Pharmaceuticals include attention to detail, strong negotiation abilities, proficiency in math, and outstanding written and verbal communication. The ability to work under pressure and maintain accuracy in a dynamic environment is also critical.

When answering this question, be specific about how you've used ERP systems in past roles to track inventory levels, manage purchasing, and ensure timely procurement. Mention any specific systems you've worked with, like Oracle, and highlight your ability to utilize these systems effectively.

Discuss your strategies for successful negotiations, such as researching market rates, building relationships with vendors, and understanding both parties’ needs. It's beneficial to cite specific examples that demonstrate your negotiation success.

Explain your processes for anticipating and identifying supply gaps, communicating proactively with operations, and developing contingency plans to address potential shortages. Provide an example of a time when you successfully managed a supply issue to ensure smooth production.

Outline the criteria you believe are important for vendor evaluation—such as cost, quality of materials, delivery timelines, and communication. Mention tools or metrics you use to assess vendor effectiveness and how you incorporate feedback into action plans.

Share the techniques you use to ensure accurate inventory management, like regular audits, reconciliation processes, and the use of technological tools to track inventory levels in real-time.

Provide a detailed example of a past situation where you encountered an invoicing issue and elaborate on the steps you took to resolve it, ensuring to highlight your communication skills and perseverance.

Discuss specific challenges you've encountered, such as conflicting delivery schedules or quality issues, and explain how you prioritized tasks and managed relationships to overcome these difficulties.

Talk about the resources you utilize to keep informed, such as industry publications, networking with professionals in your field, or attending relevant workshops and seminars.

Highlight your ability to identify cost-saving opportunities, such as negotiating better terms with suppliers, exploring alternative vendors, and leveraging bulk purchasing agreements.

Use this opportunity to demonstrate your teamwork and collaboration skills. Provide a narrative of how you communicated effectively with different departments, such as QA/QC and warehouse personnel, to meet production objectives.