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Planner/buyer skills for your resume and career

Updated January 8, 2025
8 min read
Planner/buyer example skills
Below we've compiled a list of the most critical planner/buyer skills. We ranked the top skills for planner/buyers based on the percentage of resumes they appeared on. For example, 14.3% of planner/buyer resumes contained supply chain as a skill. Continue reading to find out what skills a planner/buyer needs to be successful in the workplace.

15 planner/buyer skills for your resume and career

1. Supply Chain

A supply chain is a network or a sequence by which finished products of a company are distributed to retailers and then supplied to the end-users. The distribution of products and services from the production line to the final buyers is carried out in a series of steps including; manufacturing, transportation, and their distribution. The whole supply chain consists of different entities including; manufacturers, transportation, warehouses, suppliers, and retailers. The entities ensure that the products retain their originality while also minimizing the cost of delivery.

Here's how planner/buyers use supply chain:
  • Utilize comprehensive understanding of business requirements, supply chain, manufacturing processes and external factors to optimize ordering and inventory management
  • Managed regional supply chain for the Display Systems division including Electrical, Mechanical and Optical components supporting production requirements.

2. Purchase Orders

Here's how planner/buyers use purchase orders:
  • Released purchase orders utilizing MRP system and interacted with suppliers for on-time delivery scheduling as well as any necessary price negotiations.
  • Developed an efficient and accurate system for monitoring all open purchase orders and inbound deliveries.

3. Customer Service

Customer service is the process of offering assistance to all the current and potential customers -- answering questions, fixing problems, and providing excellent service. The main goal of customer service is to build a strong relationship with the customers so that they keep coming back for more business.

Here's how planner/buyers use customer service:
  • Partnered with internal customer service and demand planning departments to ensure successful execution of inventory plans and proactively resolved potential problems.
  • Interfaced with on-site and external repair operations, customer service, production control, and engineering to ensure uninterrupted material availability.

4. MRP

MRP is an abbreviation of Material Requirements Planning and refers to the control system which is implemented in the planning and management of the activities related to manufacturing. Through MRP, manufacturers can easily schedule the production and it can also be used for inventory. MRP systems are mostly software-based but the process can also be carried out manually.

Here's how planner/buyers use mrp:
  • Monitored Material Resource Planning (MRP) requirements and purchase orders for manufacturing requirements ensuring continuous production.
  • Plan and coordinate all material requirements of assigned commodities and supplier availability utilizing the MRP system.

5. ERP

Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) is computer software used by major corporations and organizations for conducting their management and accounting tasks efficiently. ERP systems bind different business processes with each other allowing smoother flow of data between them resulting in swift project assessment and completion.

Here's how planner/buyers use erp:
  • Planned, Scheduled and monitored production orders in Visual Manufacturing based on current backlog and determined materials requirements from ERP module.
  • Purchased/managed third party suppliers for all software requirements utilizing Oracle ERP system.

6. Logistics

Logistics is a complete organization and implementation of a problem. Logistics are often considered in a complex business operation, as some works need detailed plannings. Logistics are also used in military action.

Here's how planner/buyers use logistics:
  • Employed under contract for AGFA Corporation as a logistics and scheduling planner/coordinator for the digital camera and scanner distribution department.
  • Assisted logistics department by identifying and implementing standard processes and procedures for work initiation, program definition and program closure.

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7. Production Schedules

The project plan of a film or a documentary that highlights how a production budget will be spent over a given period until its completion is called a production schedule. The scheduling process starts with writing and analyzing the script, which is then broken down to determine and allocate the budget for each scene. The production schedule also includes several elements of the film including; cast actors, special effects, wardrobe, special equipment, stunts, extras, silent bits, production equipment, and many others.

Here's how planner/buyers use production schedules:
  • Develop relationships to create, monitor, and maintain detailed production schedules across multiple areas within a Fortune 500 pharmaceutical manufacturer.
  • Develop, maintain and control a realistic master production schedule by balancing customer requirement with manufacturing capacity and parts availability.

8. On-Time Delivery

On-Time Delivery, or OTD, is a metric that measures the rate at which finished goods and deliveries are completed on time. This rate is measured by the overall number of units shipped within a specified time frame agreed upon by the consumer and supplier. On-Time Delivery allows suppliers' compliance with delivery deadlines, and hence their consistency, to be assessed using a continuous and collaborative development approach.

Here's how planner/buyers use on-time delivery:
  • Worked with internal groups and sourced external suppliers to confirm production/shipping schedules and expedited materials to ensure on-time delivery of materials.
  • Manage projects identifying opportunities for supplier development, interfaced with suppliers to provide on-time delivery of configurable and non-configurable subsystems orders.

9. Kanban

Kanban is a technique for managing, supervising, and improving administrations to make work profitable. The entire premise is to make work more and more efficient. Ironing flaws out, and managing what works, and improving on it. Change is applied in small increments to avoid a shock in the system.

Here's how planner/buyers use kanban:
  • Negotiated 20% cost reduction for sensor products with core supplier by Blanket Purchase Order implementation and eventually set up KANBAN.
  • Implemented a KANBAN system for parts replenishment to the production line including the automatic back flushing of mandatory parts.

10. Lean Manufacturing

Here's how planner/buyers use lean manufacturing:
  • Participated in Continuous improvement projects as well as Lean Manufacturing programs to eliminate waste in various manufacturing processes.
  • Developed and implemented Lean Manufacturing Team and implemented shortage tracking database to maximize productivity using Lean techniques.

11. Supplier Performance

Supplier performance refers to practices aimed at optimizing a supplier's performance and capabilities.

Here's how planner/buyers use supplier performance:
  • Develop supplier relationship and drive supplier performance; track completion status and escalate as necessary to eliminate barriers to supplier performance.
  • Develop and maintain effective relationships with key suppliers and establish effective processes and methods of ensuring satisfactory supplier performance.

12. Strong Analytical

Here's how planner/buyers use strong analytical:
  • Review inventory levels which includes the EXCESS/OBSOLETE worksheet on a weekly/quarterly basis and incorporate strong analytical decisions when making purchasing decisions.

13. Inventory Control

Here's how planner/buyers use inventory control:
  • Coordinate with interdepartmental areas the activity with quality assurance, manufacturing, purchasing, engineering and inventory control traffic.
  • Promoted into newly created position with responsibilities to coordinate procurement, inventory control, and material flow operations.

14. Cost Savings

Here's how planner/buyers use cost savings:
  • Developed & implemented solvent waste reclamation program for two facilities and implementation of additional cost savings projects totaling $250K annually.
  • Defined and implemented a structured and systematic shipping process, which resulted in significant cost savings and consistent delivery performance.

15. Cost Reduction

Here's how planner/buyers use cost reduction:
  • Managed global long and short term purchasing and allocations to insure material availability and cost reductions across all battery suppliers.
  • Achieved significant cost reductions by consolidating services on equipment, conducting spend categories analysis and performing customer satisfaction survey.
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List of planner/buyer skills to add to your resume

Planner/buyer skills

The most important skills for a planner/buyer resume and required skills for a planner/buyer to have include:

  • Supply Chain
  • Purchase Orders
  • Customer Service
  • MRP
  • ERP
  • Logistics
  • Production Schedules
  • On-Time Delivery
  • Kanban
  • Lean Manufacturing
  • Supplier Performance
  • Strong Analytical
  • Inventory Control
  • Cost Savings
  • Cost Reduction
  • Commodities
  • Safety Stock
  • Corrective Action
  • Delivery Dates
  • Inventory Management
  • POS
  • ISO
  • R
  • Customer Orders
  • Quality Issues
  • Support Production
  • Material Availability
  • Production Planning
  • Customer Demand
  • BOM
  • Strategic Sourcing
  • Product Line
  • MRO
  • Supplier Relationships
  • FDA
  • Material Shortages
  • Delivery Schedules
  • Product Development
  • RFQ
  • OTD
  • Open Orders
  • Cost Analysis
  • Electrical Components
  • Sales Orders
  • QA
  • Kaizen
  • MRB
  • Part Numbers
  • Vendor Performance
  • ECO

Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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