Buyer / Planner

Abbott is a global healthcare leader that helps people live more fully at all stages of life. Our portfolio of life-changing technologies spans the spectrum of healthcare, with leading businesses and products in diagnostics, medical devices, nutritionals and branded generic medicines. Our 114,000 colleagues serve people in more than 160 countries.

Buyer / Planner

Our manufacturing facility in Scottsdale, AZ reflects the growing demand for Abbott's global Cardiac Rhythm Management (CRM) and Neuromodulation products.

Abbott CRM is a global leader in Cardiac Rhythm Technologies, focusing on innovative technologies that can improve the way doctors treat people with heart arrhythmias or irregular heartbeats.

If you would like to make an impact, there is no better time to join than now!

At Abbott, you will play a crucial role to help people live more fully at all stages of their lives. Our 114,000 colleagues have a daily impact on the life of people in more than 160 countries.

Purpose of the Role:

A Buyer/Planner contributes to the supply chain by managing day-to-day procurement and planning activities with growing autonomy, applying analytical thinking, and collaborating cross-functionally to ensure timely material availability and operational alignment.

Responsibilities:

• Inventory Management: Monitoring and managing inventory levels of assigned components to ensure an optimal balance between supply and demand, to ensure material availability for production while minimizing excess and carrying costs. This includes setting reorder points and maintaining safety stock levels.
• Procurement: Placing and managing purchase orders with suppliers, ensuring that the materials and products needed are ordered in a timely manner and at the best possible price.
• Supplier Management: Building and maintaining strong relationships with assigned suppliers. This includes resolving any issues, and ensuring supplier performance meets expectations, and communicating gaps. Negotiating basic contracts, such as CDAs and simple pricing agreements, are preferred.
• Data Analysis and Reporting: Analyze data related to inventory, and supplier performance; generate reports or recommendations for presentations to support decision-making.
• SAP Maintenance & Support: Support the expanded use of SAP ECC modules by maintaining relevant supplier data. As required, collaborate with IT (CIM), warehouse (materials), and the site planner teams to ensure smooth operations.
• Continuous Improvement: Drive process improvements by identifying inefficiencies in sourcing and supply chain operations, implementing changes that enhance performance and reduce costs.
• Learning and Development: Actively participating in training and development opportunities to gain a deeper understanding of supply chain processes and improve skills.
• Administrative Support: Maintain accurate procurement and planning records, update relevant databases, and ensure timely data entry to support operational efficiency and cross-functional coordination.

Skills Required:

• Analytical Skills: The ability to analyze data and make informed decisions based on that analysis.
• Communication Skills: Strong verbal and written communication skills to effectively coordinate with suppliers and internal teams.
• Problem-Solving Skills: Apply critical thinking and resourcefulness to resolve production disruptions, material shortages, and scheduling conflicts—ensuring continuity and alignment across the supply chain.
• Procurement Skills: Proficiency in basic level negotiating and managing supplier relationships. Basic skills with contracts are preferred.
• Attention to Detail & Organizational Skills: Applies attention to detail and strong organizational skills to maintain accurate procurement records and manage multiple priorities—supporting reliable material availability and efficient supply chain operations.
• Technical Skills: Proficient in supply chain management tools, methods & metrics, including familiarity with procurement analyses, ERP/MRP systems (e.g., SAP), and intermediate-level Excel/reporting tools.

Expectations:

• Support & Growth Mindset: Actively support senior team members while demonstrating a strong willingness to learn supply chain processes and take on increasing responsibilities over time.
• Data-Driven Problem Solving: Support procurement and planning decisions by analyzing supply chain data to identify potential risks and inefficiencies. Provide insights and recommendations to senior team members to improve operational performance and reduce disruptions.
• Attention to Detail & Process Adherence: Ensure accuracy in inventory tracking and order processing by closely following established procedures and reviewing data inputs—supporting smooth operations, minimizing errors, and maintaining supply chain reliability.
• Adaptability: Demonstrates flexibility and a willingness to learn while navigating changes and ambiguity in a fast-paced, regulated supply chain environment. Supports team initiatives by adjusting to shifting priorities and collaborating effectively across functions.
• Cross-functional Collaboration: Working closely with various departments and stakeholders to achieve supply chain and site goals.
• Quality & Compliance: Ensuring that all supply chain activities comply with relevant regulations and standards.

Qualifications/Experience:

• Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Business Administration, or a related field.
• Minimum of 2 years of related work experience.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.

Preferred Qualifications/Experience:

• Experience in a manufacturing or distribution environment.
• Certification in supply chain management (e.g., APICS, CSCP).
• Proficiency in SAP modules related to supply chain management.

Strong analytical and proble

The base pay for this position is $50,000.00 – $100,000.00. In specific locations, the pay range may vary from the range posted.