Grass Seed Buyer

Buyer and Planner Job Description – Erosion Control Manufacturing and Grass Seed – Rhino Seed

Job Summary

The Buyer and Planner plays a critical role in ensuring timely procurement of raw materials and supplies while coordinating production schedules to meet project deadlines in the erosion control industry. This position supports on-time delivery and production efficiency by balancing inventory levels, vendor performance, and manufacturing needs. The ideal candidate is analytical and data-driven, using spreadsheets, ERP data, and sound mathematical analysis to make informed purchasing, inventory, and production-planning decisions.

Key Responsibilities

Purchasing:

• Source and purchase erosion control materials such as straw, seed, netting, thread, and packaging supplies.
• Maintain supplier relationships and evaluate vendor performance for quality, cost, and reliability.
• Issue and track purchase orders, monitor delivery timelines, and resolve discrepancies.
• Ensure material compliance with job specifications and regulatory standards.
• Monitor market trends and material availability, proactively managing risks to supply continuity.

Planning:

• Create and update daily and weekly production schedules based on sales orders, forecasts, and inventory.
• Coordinate closely with production leads to ensure efficient use of labor and materials.
• Plan job orders to meet shipping deadlines and customer delivery expectations.
• Analyze demand patterns and lead times to minimize stockouts and overproduction.
• Work within ERP or scheduling systems to update inventory records and track material usage.

General Duties:

• Maintain accurate inventory records; participate in monthly counts and inventory audits.
• Communicate regularly with sales and logistics to align materials and production with customer timelines.
• Support new product rollouts or changes in product configurations by adjusting purchasing and planning accordingly.
• Identify and drive cost-saving opportunities in procurement and production planning through data analysis, cost comparisons, forecasting, and performance tracking.

Qualifications

• Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain, Business, or related field preferred.
• 4+ years of experience in procurement or planning in a manufacturing environment (erosion control or construction-related industry a plus).
• Strong analytical, mathematical, and problem-solving skills, with the ability to interpret data, identify trends, and make data-driven decisions.
• Familiarity with erosion control products such as blankets, or hydroseeding materials, and grass seed a plus.
• Advanced spreadsheet skills, including strong proficiency in Excel for data analysis, formulas, cost comparisons, forecasting, reporting, and inventory planning; working knowledge of ERP systems (e.g., Acumatica, NetSuite, QuickBooks Manufacturing, or similar).
• Excellent organization, communication, and time-management skills.
• Ability to work independently and make decisions in a fast-paced, production-focused environment.