Senior Buyer/Planner

As a Senior Buyer/Planner at Foresight Diagnostics, your primary responsibilities include maintaining data in purchasing and inventory systems, soliciting and evaluating supplier proposals, and ensuring raw materials are available according to production schedules. You will also manage supplier relationships, analyze raw material requirements, support the Supplier Quality program, and negotiate costs while ensuring timely delivery and adherence to quality standards.

To qualify for the Senior Buyer/Planner position at Foresight Diagnostics, candidates must hold at least a BS in science, business, accounting, or a related field along with a minimum of three years of relevant industry experience. Familiarity with life science reagents or genomics is advantageous, and having exceptional attention to detail and strong communication skills are crucial for success in this role.

The Senior Buyer/Planner at Foresight Diagnostics plays a key role in supporting production schedules by optimizing raw material costs and ensuring on-time delivery of components. Their ability to analyze requirements, negotiate with suppliers, and maintain effective relationships contributes significantly to the seamless operation of the manufacturing process.

Foresight Diagnostics offers a competitive salary range of $90,000 - $120,000 for the Senior Buyer/Planner role, along with equity offerings. Benefits include paid vacation, sick time, medical, dental, and vision coverage, life and disability insurance, flexible spending accounts, and a 401k plan with company match, ensuring a comprehensive support system for employees.

Foresight Diagnostics offers a dynamic and fast-paced environment where employees can make a high-impact contribution to innovative cancer detection technologies. The company promotes professional development and upward mobility for high performers, allowing you to grow your career while being part of a mission-driven team that makes a difference in patients' lives.

When prioritizing tasks as a Senior Buyer/Planner, it is essential to consider project deadlines, the urgency of material needs, and supplier lead times. Using a systematic approach to organize and categorize tasks helps ensure critical tasks are addressed promptly while maintaining a clear line of communication with other departments to align with production schedules.

In discussing experience with supplier negotiation, it's important to highlight specific instances where you've successfully negotiated favorable terms. Talk about the strategies you employed, such as understanding market rates and supplier constraints, and how these negotiations positively impacted cost savings and supplier relationships.

Key metrics for evaluating supplier performance include on-time delivery rates, quality of materials received, responsiveness to inquiries, and overall cost competitiveness. Sharing how you've used these metrics in the past to enhance supplier partnerships shows a data-driven approach to managing supply chain relationships.

Ensuring the accuracy of purchase orders requires careful attention to detail and a thorough review process. By cross-checking order specifications against inventory levels and supplier confirmations, and utilizing purchasing systems with error-checking capabilities, I minimize discrepancies and enhance the efficiency of the procurement process.

When addressing a supply chain disruption, it's crucial to present a specific example. Talk about the nature of the disruption, how you quickly assessed the situation, and the steps you took to communicate with stakeholders and find alternative solutions, demonstrating problem-solving skills under pressure.

Managing relationships with suppliers involves regular communication, transparency, and mutual respect. Scheduling regular check-ins, providing feedback, and addressing issues promptly helps nurture long-term partnerships, which are vital for maintaining reliable supply chains.

Effective inventory management strategies include conducting regular audits, employing just-in-time techniques, and utilizing inventory management software. Highlight specific tools or methods you've successfully implemented to maintain optimal inventory levels and avoid overstock or stockouts.

Handling a disagreement with a supplier involves remaining professional and seeking a mutually beneficial solution. Listening to the supplier’s perspective, being open to negotiation, and finding common ground can help resolve conflicts while preserving the business relationship.

Success in the Senior Buyer/Planner role hinges on strong analytical skills, effective communication, and the ability to build relationships. Demonstrating how these qualities enable you to meet production needs efficiently and support the company's objectives will resonate well in an interview.

Staying informed about industry trends can be achieved through subscribing to relevant publications, participating in professional networks, and attending industry conferences. Sharing specific resources demonstrates your commitment to continuous learning and staying ahead in the field.