Job Description Summary

Job Description

We are the makers of possible 

BD is one of the largest global medical technology companies in the world. Advancing the world of health™ is our Purpose, and it’s no small feat. It takes the imagination and passion of all of us—from design and engineering to the manufacturing and marketing of our billions of MedTech products per year—to look at the impossible and find transformative solutions that turn dreams into possibilities. 

We believe that the human element, across our global teams, is what allows us to continually evolve. Join us and discover an environment in which you’ll be supported to learn, grow and become your best self. Become a maker of possible with us. 

Job Summary:

The Planner/Buyer reports to the manager leading all aspects of supply chain operations. They develop, coordinate, and implement production schedules for assigned product lines. These schedules align with approved production plans, client happiness goals, and stock level benchmarks. This role monitors schedule performances, responds to demand fluctuations, and takes proactive measures to ensure finished goods inventory supports incoming demand while minimizing stock loss.

Additionally, the position oversees the requisition, purchasing, and timely delivery of all raw materials required for manufacturing operations within established budgets and plans. The individual in the Planner/Buyer role is responsible for maintaining the accuracy and integrity of purchasing master data. They also track and report relevant performance indicators.

Job Responsibilities: (Primary Duties, Roles, and/or Authorities)

Planning Focus:

1. Production Planning: Evaluate business plans and establish production schedules based on ERP system recommendations, ensuring alignment with financial objectives. Incorporate within the established schedules considerations such as departmental efficiency, workforce planning, customer service goals, and inventory targets (including backorder avoidance).

2. Schedule Management: Adjust production schedules to reflect material availability. Implement schedules through work order issuance and supervise production performance against established schedules.

3. Priority Management & Reporting: Expedite back-order conditions and production priorities, coordinating with all relevant departments to achieve objectives. Provide accurate and timely product status and availability reports to internal and external stakeholders such as but not limited to Customer Service/Marketing.

4. Inventory Control: Maintain finished goods and work-in-process inventories within established control parameters. Initiate actions to reduce excess and obsolete inventory and monitor expiration reports to minimize stock loss through re-testing, shelf-life extensions, or repackaging.

5. Issue Resolution & Communication: Inform management of challenges and opportunities impacting production schedules and recommend corrective actions. Maintain clear communication with Operations regarding delivery, quality, or inventory issues that could affect business performance.

6. Data & Reporting: Provide timely information to support management reports, production analysis, and forecast volumes in accordance with established procedures. Maintains accurate performance measurements, records, and reports as approved by upper management.

7. Cross-Functional Collaboration: Attend manufacturing meetings, conference calls, and product-specific sessions as required. Develop or acquire planning tools to support new product introductions and related initiatives.

8. Compliance & SOP Management: Support the administration and maintenance of departmental SOPs to guarantee adherence to FDA, OSHA, ISO 13485:2016, and ISO 14001 standards.

9. ERP System Management: Conduct, reschedule, expedite, and cancel production work orders within the ERP system to maintain accurate performance reporting and align inventory levels with production demands.

10. Backorder & Stock Loss Analysis: Analyze backorder and stock loss reports with production personnel to minimize product shortages and inventory write-offs. Communicate planned monthly deliveries and proactively report deviations from commitments.

11. Continuous Improvement & New Product Support: Participate in materials management initiatives, including new product transfers and process improvement programs.

12. Budget & Inventory Planning: Contribute to the establishment of inventory budgets to define acceptable inventory levels across varying production activity levels, enabling performance measurement and operational control.

Purchasing Focus:

1. Purchase Order Management: Review and verify planned orders generated by MRP. Analyze requirements, convert planned orders into purchase requisitions, and subsequently into purchase orders. Ensure timely transmission of purchase orders to vendors, either electronically or in printed form as required.

2. Master Data & Vendor Management: Maintain and update Source Lists and Purchasing Info Records for existing part numbers or create new records as needed. Revise vendor specifications and prepare Change Notification Forms when applicable.

3. Issue Resolution: Address and resolve accounts payable discrepancies (GR/IR), raw material quality concerns, and shipping issues promptly to avoid operational disruptions.

4. MRP Analysis & Order Adjustment: Analyze MRP reports for accuracy and completeness, taking necessary actions. Reschedule, expedite, or cancel purchase orders within the system to maintain accurate performance reporting.

5. Delivery & Backorder Monitoring: Review quarterly raw material delivery schedules and communicate deviations from planned or promised dates to the Planner in advance. Analyze backorder and stock loss reports to minimize product shortages and inventory write-offs.

6. ERP Updates & Cross-Functional Coordination: Update past-due purchase order dates in the ERP system promptly. Coordinate with Engineering, QA, Production, and Finance on raw material phase-in/phase-out activities.

7. New Product & Process Support: Participate in supply chain management initiatives, including new product transfers and continuous improvement programs.

8. Price Variance Control: Monitor raw material pricing closely to identify variations that could impact budget performance. Communicate potential impacts and implement measures to avoid negative purchase price variances.

9. Inventory Management: Control and monitor raw material inventory levels to ensure adequate supply while adhering to budgetary constraints.

10. Communication & Collaboration: Maintain clear and consistent communication with the Supply Chain Manager regarding any delivery, quality, or inventory issues that could affect business operations. Actively participate in production meetings.

11. Performance Reporting: Actively participate in production meetings. Ensure all assigned performance measurements, records, and reports are accurately maintained and updated in the system.

12. Vendor Relations & Quality Assurance: Coordinate vendor visits and conference calls to ensure competitive pricing and adherence to quality standards.

13. Cost Reduction Initiatives: Identify and implement cost-saving opportunities to support local sourcing strategies and BD Puerto Rico Purchasing Council programs.

14. Regulatory & Policy Compliance: Ensure compliance with ISO 13485:2016, ISO 14001, FDA regulations, and BD policies and procedures related to purchasing and material control.

15. Backup Support: Serve as backup for fellow Buyer/Planner roles as needed to maintain continuity of operations.

Qualifications:

1. Education: Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration or a related field, or equivalent professional experience.

2. Experience: Preferable a minimum of two years of progressive experience in production planning, purchasing, and plant manufacturing operations.

3. Knowledge: Strong understanding of Sales and Operations Planning (S&OP) processes.

Knowledge and Skills:

1. Negotiation Expertise – Ability to negotiate effectively with suppliers and stakeholders.

2. ERP Systems Proficiency – Preferable Working knowledge of SAP for purchasing and planning activities.

3. MRP II Concepts – General understanding of Material Requirements Planning principles and practices.

4. Quality System Regulations – Familiarity with QSR concepts and Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) requirements.

5. Language Skills – Bilingual proficiency in Spanish and English.

Physical Demands: (if applicable):

Occasional moderate physical effort may be required for handling or moving materials.

Work Environment (if applicable):

Primarily a standard office setting.

Occasional exposure to warehouse conditions, including noise, dust, and temperature variations.

At BD, we prioritize on-site collaboration because we believe it fosters creativity, innovation, and effective problem-solving, which are essential in the fast-paced healthcare industry. For most roles, we require a minimum of 4 days of in-office presence per week to maintain our culture of excellence and ensure smooth operations, while also recognizing the importance of flexibility and work-life balance. Remote or field-based positions will have different workplace arrangements which will be indicated in the job posting.

For certain roles at BD, employment is contingent upon the Company’s receipt of sufficient proof that you are fully vaccinated against COVID-19. In some locations, testing for COVID-19 may be available and/or required. Consistent with BD’s Workplace Accommodations Policy, requests for accommodation will be considered pursuant to applicable law.

Why Join Us?

A career at BD means being part of a team that values your opinions and contributions and that encourages you to bring your authentic self to work. It’s also a place where we help each other be great, we do what’s right, we hold each other accountable, and learn and improve every day.  

To find purpose in the possibilities, we need people who can see the bigger picture, who understand the human story that underpins everything we do. We welcome people with the imagination and drive to help us reinvent the future of health. At BD, you’ll discover a culture in which you can learn, grow, and thrive. And find satisfaction in doing your part to make the world a better place.  

To learn more about BD visit https://bd.com/careers

Becton, Dickinson, and Company is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We evaluate applicants without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, creed, national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, marital or domestic or civil union status, familial status, affectional or sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetics, disability, military eligibility or veteran status, and other legally-protected characteristics.

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