Buyer/Planner

Position Summary

Position Summary

The Entry-Level Buyer/Planner is responsible for supporting the procurement, planning, and movement of materials through the production cycle. This role is ideal for a recent college graduate or early-career professional interested in supply chain, manufacturing, purchasing, and production planning.

The Buyer/Planner will work closely with suppliers, production teams, engineering, quality, and operations to help ensure materials are available when needed to support customer delivery, quality, and cost objectives. This position provides an opportunity to learn Parker purchasing processes, production planning practices, inventory management, supplier communication, and continuous improvement methods.

Key Responsibilities

• Support the procurement of materials, components, equipment, and services from approved suppliers.

• Assist with preparing requests for quotation, issuing purchase orders, and confirming supplier pricing, delivery dates, terms, and conditions.

• Monitor open purchase orders and follow up with suppliers to help ensure on-time delivery.

• Support production planning activities by helping schedule and track material availability, work orders, and production requirements.

• Help maintain accurate purchasing, planning, and part data, including lead times, order status, supplier information, and inventory records.

• Communicate with internal teams regarding material shortages, supplier delays, production schedule changes, or potential delivery risks.

• Assist in resolving basic supplier, shipment, quality, invoice, or receiving discrepancies with guidance from senior team members.

• Prepare and update reports related to purchase orders, supplier performance, inventory levels, material availability, and production status.

• Support inventory management efforts by helping balance material availability with inventory cost and turn objectives.

• Participate in continuous improvement activities focused on cost reduction, process efficiency, lead time reduction, and improved on-time delivery.

• Assist with identifying alternate suppliers and gathering information on supplier capabilities, delivery performance, and quality history.

• Participate in supplier meetings or site visits as needed to learn supplier evaluation and relationship management practices.

• Learn and follow Parker policies, procedures, and applicable federal, state, commercial, and aerospace industry requirements.

Qualifications

Required

• Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management, Business, Operations Management, Engineering, Industrial Technology, or a related field.

• Internship, co-op, academic project, or classroom exposure related to supply chain, procurement, manufacturing, planning, logistics, or operations.

• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and organizational skills.

• Ability to work with data, reports, spreadsheets, and business systems.

• Strong written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.

• Ability to collaborate effectively with suppliers, production teams, quality, engineering, and other internal departments.

• Willingness to learn purchasing, planning, inventory management, and manufacturing processes.

• Demonstrated interest in continuous improvement, lean principles, and operational excellence.

Preferred

• Internship or project experience in a manufacturing, supply chain, purchasing, planning, logistics, or operations environment.

• Familiarity with ERP/MRP systems, purchase orders, inventory planning, or production scheduling.

• Basic understanding of lean manufacturing, supplier management, inventory turns, lead times, or cost reduction concepts.

• Proficiency with Microsoft Excel or other data analysis tools.

• Exposure to aerospace, industrial, automotive, or engineered product manufacturing environments.

Pay, Benefits, Work Schedule

Competitive Compensation

• Pay Range: $64975 to $108325 annually
• Participation in Annual Incentive Program

Benefit & Retirement Plans

Parker offers competitive benefit programs, including:

• Comprehensive coverage for medical, prescription drugs, dental, vision, voluntary optional life, accident insurance, hospital indemnity insurance and critical illness insurance with competitive premium cost.
• 401(k) Plan with company matching contributions at 100% of the first 5% of pay.
• Company provided defined-contribution retirement plan with annual contribution equal to 3% of pay.
• Career development and tuition reimbursement.
• Other benefits including paid parental leave, short and long-term disability programs, adoption assistance, a Care.com membership and financial planning assistance are provided at no cost to you.
• Supplemental benefit programs including identity protection, legal protection, and pet wellness are available at competitive rates. Paid Time Off and Company-Paid Holidays.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Parker is an Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action Employer. Parker is committed to ensuring equal employment opportunities for all job applicants and employees. Employment decisions are based upon job related reasons regardless of race, ethnicity, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, age, national origin, disability, gender identity, genetic information, veteran status, or any other status protected by law. However, U.S. Citizenship, Permanent Residency or other appropriate status is required for certain positions, in accord with U.S. import & export regulations.

(“Minority / Female / Disability / Veteran / VEVRAA Federal Contractor”)

If you would like more information about Equal Employment Opportunity as an applicant under the law, please go to Employees & Job Applicants | U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission