Buyer/Planner Job Description

At Vatn Systems, we design and manufacture next-generation Autonomous Underwater Vehicles (AUVs) that are redefining what’s possible in maritime defense and exploration. Our vehicles combine precision hardware, advanced sensors, and sophisticated software to operate in the most demanding underwater environments.

We’re looking for a proactive and detail-oriented Buyer/Planner to support our rapidly expanding manufacturing operations. In this role, you’ll manage procurement and material planning activities that are critical to transitioning our AUVs from R&D into scalable, high-reliability production. You’ll be responsible for sourcing and purchasing electro-mechanical components, managing vendor relationships, tracking lead times, and ensuring material availability to support build schedules. You’ll also collaborate closely with engineering, manufacturing, and supply chain teams to align material flow with product development and production ramp milestones.

This is a high-impact opportunity for someone who thrives in fast-paced environments and wants to help shape the supply chain that powers the future of autonomous systems.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Own the planning and on-time delivery of raw materials to internal assembly lines as well as finished goods to customers
• Serve as a key stake holder in ERP implementations, and develop and maintain processes within MRP and associated master data
• Develop and maintain accurate demand forecasts and plans
• Manage day-to-day ordering and inventory for assigned product lines
• Identify and resolve supply issues, collaborating with cross-functional teams
• Generate and analyze data to identify trends and support decision-making
• Support strategic sourcing initiatives and make/buy decisions
• Issue purchase orders for production and R&D initiatives and manage supplier relationships
• Contribute to continuous improvement initiatives for cost savings and quality
• Participate in S&OP processes and support related strategic initiatives
• Develop data reporting structures and tools to monitor Demand Planning KPIs and identify key levers for improvement by product or program
• Understand the product BOM to a level that enables quick decision-making as well as effective questioning and discussion
• Support continuous improvement initiatives for cost savings, quality improvement, and on-time delivery

Required Qualifications:

• 2+ years of significant technical procurement experience in a manufacturing environment that scaled from R&D to high rate production
• Excellent documentation and communication skills and interpersonal relationship skills including negotiating and relationship management skills with ability to drive achievement of objectives
• Ability to work in cross functional teams and collaborate with across functions / borders
• Good understanding and interpretation of related design specification
• Excellent problem-solving, organizational, analytical and critical thinking skills including high discretion/judgment in decision making
• Ability to work and excel within a fast paced, dynamic, and constantly changing work environment
• Demonstrated ability to completely own a value chain from start to finish, coordinating among multiple different internal and external parties to achieve on-time deliveries under stringent quality standards
• Prior knowledge of Oracle Netsuite or a similar Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system
• Ability to travel up to 25%

Preferred Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree or higher in any technical field including mechanical/aerospace/manufacturing, electrical, or computer engineering, supply chain, or business with a technical minor or concentration
• Experience with Lean Manufacturing and/or Continuous Improvement and Six Sigma principles in action
• Knowledge of supply chain planning best practices and data processes that generate business value. Including, but not limited to, demand planning, inventory management, supply planning, S&OP / S&OE and Integrated Business Planning.
• Knowledge of and experience with big data evaluation and analysis techniques. Experience with SQL databases - storage of information and writing custom queries to pull and analyze data sets to direct focus and action.