Production Planner/Buyer

Job Title: Production Planner/Buyer

Location: Tustin, CA

Company: ClearPath Medical

Job Type: Full-Time

About ClearPath Medical:

ClearPath Medical is a leading contract manufacturer specializing in the design and manufacture of custom medical cable assemblies. We deliver high-quality, compliant solutions to the medical device industry. Located in Tustin, CA, we pride ourselves on innovation, operational excellence, and customer satisfaction in a highly regulated environment.

Job Summary:

ClearPath Medical is seeking a dedicated Production Planner/Buyer to lead production planning and scheduling for our custom medical cable assemblies while supporting procurement and raw materials planning. This role will focus on developing efficient production schedules, ensuring material availability, and maintaining compliance with FDA and ISO 13485 standards. The Production Planner/Buyer will play a vital role in supporting our operational growth and achieving high customer satisfaction.

Key Responsibilities:

Production Planning & Scheduling: Develop and manage production schedules to meet customer deadlines (>95% schedule adherence), optimizing manufacturing capacity and aligning with material availability.

Raw Materials Planning: Forecast and plan raw material requirements using ERP/MRP systems to minimize shortages (

Procurement Support: Source and procure materials (e.g., medical-grade cables, connectors), negotiate with suppliers, and manage purchase orders to ensure quality, cost-effectiveness, and on-time delivery (>95% on-time delivery rate).

Inventory Management: Monitor inventory levels, reconcile discrepancies, and minimize obsolescence or scrap while maintaining accurate records in ERP/MRP systems.

Compliance: Ensure all procurement and production activities comply with FDA and ISO 13485 requirements, maintaining audit-ready documentation and traceability (100% compliance).

Cost Optimization: Support cost-saving initiatives (510% annual savings) through efficient material planning and supplier negotiations.

Cross-Functional Collaboration: Partner with engineering, quality assurance, and sales teams to align schedules and materials with design changes (e.g., ECOs) and customer demand.

Performance Monitoring: Track KPIs, including schedule adherence (95%), supplier quality rate (98%), and ECO execution time (<5 days).

Skills and Qualifications:

• Technical Skills:
• Proficiency in ERP/MRP systems (e.g., SAP, Oracle NetSuite, Epicor, Fishbowl) for production planning, raw materials forecasting, and procurement.
• Expertise in production scheduling and raw materials planning, with working knowledge of supply chain and procurement processes.
• Familiarity with FDA and ISO 13485 regulations for medical device manufacturing.
• Strong Microsoft Excel skills for scheduling, forecasting, and cost analysis; exposure to lean principles preferred.
• Excellent communication and negotiation skills to coordinate with suppliers and cross-functional teams.
• Strong problem-solving and adaptability to address scheduling or material challenges in a fast-paced environment.
• Attention to detail to ensure accurate planning, documentation, and compliance.
• Bachelors degree in supply chain management, business administration, operations management, or a related field (or equivalent experience).
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in production planning/scheduling, with additional expertise in buying and raw materials planning, preferably in medical device or regulated manufacturing.
• Certifications such as APICS CPIM, CSCP, or Lean/Six Sigma Green Belt preferred.
  
  
  

Tools and Software:

• ERP/MRP platforms: QT9
• Communication/collaboration tools: Microsoft Teams, Outlook.
• Inventory and planning systems: QT9 (QMS).
• Other: Microsoft Excel (advanced), barcode scanners, and document management systems (e.g., SharePoint).
  
  
  

Challenges:

• Balancing production schedules with fluctuating customer demand or material lead times.
• Ensuring compliance with FDA and ISO 13485 regulations during audits or engineering change orders (ECOs).
• Managing supplier delays or quality issues that impact material availability.
• Resolving cross-functional misalignments, such as discrepancies between sales forecasts and production capacity.
• Maintaining data accuracy in ERP/MRP systems to avoid scheduling or inventory errors.
  
  
  

Decision-Making Authority:

• Approvals: Authority to approve production schedules, routine purchase orders (up to a defined threshold), and inventory adjustments within guidelines.
• Contracts: Negotiates standard supplier contracts; escalates high-value or strategic contracts to operations leadership.
• Autonomy: High autonomy in day-to-day procurement and planning activities, with escalation for major budget, strategic, or regulatory decisions.
• Collaboration: Works independently but collaborates with engineering, quality, and sales teams to align plans with organizational goals.
  
  
  

Contribution to Organizational Goals:

• Business Outcomes: Drives on-time delivery (>95%), cost savings (5-10%), and operational efficiency, enhancing profitability and competitiveness.
• Cross-Functional Success: Aligns production schedules and material plans with engineering, quality, and sales to support product innovation and customer commitments.
• Customer Satisfaction & Growth: Ensures high-quality, timely deliveries, fostering client trust, and driving business expansion.
• Compliance: Maintains 100% audit readiness, mitigating regulatory risks and ensuring market access.
  
  
  

Pay Range:

The annual salary range is $75,000 to $85,000, commensurate with experience, qualifications, and familiarity with medical device manufacturing.

Why Join ClearPath Medical?

Join a growing team dedicated to delivering innovative medical cable assemblies that improve patient outcomes. As a Production Planner/Buyer, you'll play a vital role in driving operational success and supporting our expansion in the medical device industry.