Lead Purchasing Planner

Job Description Summary

The Lead Purchasing Planner within the Combustion Materials Purchasing Team works cross-functionally and with the supplier base to understand capacity and determine the strategy around utilizing available capacity for each of the supplier sites that support the Combustion segment. Capacity models for all key constraints will be created and maintained, integrating the industrialization and demand profile changes throughout the planning horizons as a critical input to the overall purchasing plan and strategic decisions. The planner will ensure that capacity is optimized to support overall business objectives by identifying and owning action plans to mitigate under/overutilized capacity within the segment. The Lead Purchasing Planner will own the supplier forecasting process for the segment to ensure longer term demand visibility is provided to critical suppliers within the supply base.

Job Description

Responsibilities: 

• Lead forecasting and supplier capacity planning activities for Combustion suppliers globally with responsibility for maintaining accurate supply visibility from the current year through a 3+ year horizon.
• Develop, maintain, and continuously improve supplier capacity models to assess demonstrated capacity, utilization, and potential for capacity increases. Work closely with suppliers to validate assumptions, monitor utilization, and identify actions needed to support supply continuity and future demand. Ensure full coverage of up-to-date capacity models across the supplier base.
• Manage forecasting process in alignment with the Combustion Supply team, local Materials teams, and  Sourcing, ensuring forecasts are regularly updated, communicated to suppliers, and aligned with supply plans and business priorities.
• Monitor supplier commitments against demand including volume increase requests, load of business, and forecast changes. Gather supplier feedback, track open actions, support gap closure plans, and escalate risks when needed.
• Build and maintain strong working relationships with key stakeholders including suppliers, factory teams, local PCL teams, Sourcing, Sourcing Capacity leaders, Supply teams, Quality, and Engineering. Develop a clear understanding of supplier priorities, strategic sourcing plans, market share shifts, and insourcing or outsourcing impacts.
• Coordinate and support regular supplier reviews and visits to strengthen collaboration, improve transparency, and address ongoing operational or capacity challenges.
• Support continuous improvement through participation in Lean activities, Kaizens, and standard work development, with focus on improving forecasting discipline, supplier communication, and cross-functional alignment.
• Use sound judgment and analytical thinking to solve capacity and forecasting issues, propose practical solutions, and support execution within established functional processes and standard practices.
   

Requirements:

• This role requires experience in manufacturing, materials, supply chain, purchasing, or planning/execution.
• Knowledge level is comparable to a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited university or college, or a high school diploma with significant relevant experience.
• Experience working with supplier forecasting, capacity planning, materials planning and purchasing operations.
• Ability to analyze demand, capacity, and supply data to support operational decision-making and problem solving.
   

Desired Characteristics:

• Strong oral and written communication skills
• Demonstrated ability to analyze problems, identify risks, and drive resolution
• Ability to document, plan, and execute processes and improvement actions effectively
• Clear and concise communication style, with ability to synthesize information for different stakeholders
• Ability to work effectively across sites, functions, and cultures
• Strong collaboration and relationship-building skills with suppliers and cross-functional teams
• Established project management skills
• Lean mindset and interest in continuous improvement
• ERP [SAP(PMx), Oracle (Zeal)] experience in a manufacturing environment
• Change agent with energy, passion and enthusiasm
• APICS CPIM or CSCP certification

Additional Information