Planner/Buyer

JOB TITLE: Planner/Buyer

REPORTS TO: Supply Chain Manager

STATUS: Full time, non-exempt

LOCATION: Bellingham, WA

SALARY RANGE: $35-38 hourly dependent upon interview outcomes and experience

BENEFITS: Medical, dental, and vision insurance, optional FSA/HSA, 401k with 6% employer match, life and AD&D insurance, Employee Assistance Program, short & long term disability, tuition reimbursement, 21.67 days of paid time off + 10 holidays

About Tidal Vision:

We believe that sustainability should not require customers to compromise on price, convenience, or performance. Our mission is to create positive and systemic environmental impact by making our biopolymer solutions cost competitive, more convenient, and better performing than the synthetic chemicals we displace. We value innovation and take pride in challenging the status-quo; we choose to view obstacles as opportunities. We value new ideas and encourage the team to apply creativity and invent new solutions to meet challenging demands. We foster open, direct communication, and a collaborative working environment through our unique approach to work culture. We value our employees and demonstrate that through our compensation and benefits programs and opportunities for growth and development.

About Cesco Solutions:

Cesco Solutions is an industrial water treatment provider specializing in high-organics wastewater from food processing and related industries. As part of Tidal Vision, Cesco leverages chitosan-based chemistry as a sustainable alternative to traditional metal-based coagulants to improve clarification, reduce sludge, and enhance treatment efficiency. By combining advanced chemistry, application expertise, and operational support, Cesco helps facilities optimize wastewater performance, lower chemical consumption, and maintain regulatory compliance while advancing more sustainable treatment practices.

About Our Unique Work Culture:

Tidal Vision and Clear Water Services strive to build and invest in the highest performing and most innovative team. We put our people and customers above process, avoid company-wide rules as much as possible, and have the courage to take unusual approaches to advance our mission. With this approach, we believe we can create a more flexible, fun, stimulating, creative, collaborative, and innovative organization.

Our commitment to developing, practicing and promoting direct and open communication, responsibility and freedom, and leading with and seeking context is a responsibility for every role at Tidal Vision.

Position Summary:

The Planner/Buyer is responsible for planning, scheduling, and purchasing materials required to support manufacturing operations while maintaining optimal inventory levels. This position coordinates production schedules, supplier relationships, inventory control, and logistics activities to ensure customer demands are met on time and at the lowest total cost. The Planner/Buyer serves as a key link between suppliers, production, engineering, quality, and customer service.

Key Responsibilities:

Production Planning & Scheduling

• Develop and maintain production schedules based on customer demand, forecasts, inventory levels, and manufacturing capacity.
• Review and analyze production requirements to ensure materials and resources are available to meet delivery commitments.
• Monitor production performance and adjust schedules as necessary to address changing priorities.
• Collaborate with manufacturing, engineering, and quality teams to resolve production constraints.
• Balance inventory levels while supporting customer service objectives and operational efficiency.

Purchasing & Procurement

• Plan and purchase raw materials, components, packaging, and indirect materials required for production.
• Issue purchase orders and manage supplier delivery schedules.
• Negotiate pricing, lead times, and supplier agreements to achieve cost savings and supply continuity.
• Monitor supplier performance related to quality, delivery, and responsiveness.
• Develop and maintain strong supplier relationships.
• Identify and qualify alternative suppliers when necessary to mitigate supply risks.

Inventory Management

• Monitor inventory levels and ensure proper stocking strategies are maintained.
• Analyze inventory trends and recommend actions to reduce excess and obsolete inventory.
• Lead inventory accuracy initiatives including cycle counts and physical inventories.
• Maintain accurate planning data, bills of materials, lead times, and item master information within the ERP system.
• Establish and manage safety stock levels to support production requirements.

Logistics & Transportation

• Coordinate domestic and international shipments of raw materials and finished goods.
• Schedule and manage inbound and outbound freight activities.
• Work with freight carriers, customs brokers, and logistics providers to ensure timely shipments.
• Prepare and review shipping documentation including commercial invoices, packing lists, certificates of origin, and customs documentation.
• Track shipments and resolve transportation issues to minimize delays and customer impact.
• Monitor freight costs and identify opportunities for transportation savings and process improvements.

Analysis & Reporting

• Monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) such as inventory turns, supplier performance, schedule adherence, freight costs, and on-time delivery.
• Generate reports and analyze data to support business decisions.
• Participate in Sales & Operations Planning (S&OP) activities.
• Recommend continuous improvement initiatives to improve planning, purchasing, and inventory processes.

Basic Qualifications:

• 3-5 years of experience in material planning, production planning, purchasing, or supply chain management within a manufacturing environment.
• Experience coordinating domestic and international shipments preferred.
• Experience working with ERP/MRP systems.
• Strong understanding of production planning, inventory control, purchasing, and supply chain management principles.
• Knowledge of MRP and ERP systems. NetSuite preferred.
• Understanding of international shipping regulations, customs requirements, and logistics practices.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and organizational skills.
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.
• Strong negotiation and supplier management skills.
• Detail-oriented with a high degree of accuracy.
  

Preferred Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Business Administration, Operations Management, or a related field preferred. An equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered.
• APICS/ASCM CPIM or CSCP certification.
• Experience with Lean Manufacturing principles.
• Knowledge of import/export regulations and international trade compliance.
• Experience in ISO-certified manufacturing environments.
• Comfortable with potential travel as needed (would be less than 10% if at all).

Licensing & Special Requirements:

• Subject to a criminal background check.

Working Conditions:

Work is performed primarily in an office setting. Must be able to sit, stand, and walk for extended periods, as well as occasionally lift up to 25 pounds. You may also be expected to visit manufacturing and warehouse areas as needed.

Tidal Vision provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.

This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.

The statements contained herein reflect general details as necessary to describe the principal functions of this job, the level of knowledge and skill typically required, and the scope of responsibility, but should not be considered an all-inclusive listing of work requirements. Individuals may perform other duties as assigned including work in other functional areas to cover absences or relief, to equalize peak work periods, or otherwise to balance the workload. Furthermore, they do not establish a contract for employment and are subject to change at the discretion of the employer.