Buyer / Planner

Advantage Components, Inc. Buyer / PlannerAre you a supply chain professional who thrives on complexity, loves working close to the factory floor, and can navigate a cross-border operation without missing a beat? Advantage Components is looking for an experienced Buyer/Planner to take full ownership of our purchasing and production planning function across our US and Mexico facilities.About UsAdvantage Components, Inc. is a precision wire harness manufacturer with production facilities in Joliet, IL and Fresnillo, Zacatecas, Mexico. With 160 employees and deep expertise in electro-mechanical assemblies, we serve OEM customers across industrial and related markets. Our Mexico facility accounts for a growing share of our production volume, making cross-border collaboration central to everything we do.The OpportunityThis is a high-impact, hands-on role at the intersection of purchasing, planning, and operations. You will own the end-to-end supply chain for both plants — building supplier relationships, driving on-time delivery, managing USMCA compliance, and leading a small team of two Junior Buyers. The previous Buyer/Planner built this function over nine years; we are looking for someone ready to step in, strengthen what works, and take it to the next level.What You’ll Do•      Run production planning for both Joliet and Fresnillo using lean/pull-based techniques — shop orders, Kanbans, demand forecasting, and schedule management.•      Own all purchasing activity: raw materials, components, and supplies. Consolidate orders, manage freight costs, and ensure 95%+ fill rates.•      Manage the cross-border material plan and USMCA compliance for all US-Mexico shipments.•      Partner daily with Sales, Customer Service, Engineering, and Plant Operations to lock in delivery commitments and resolve supply issues fast.•      Maintain item master integrity: BOM accuracy, cost fields, lead times, and planning parameters.•      Drive inventory turns improvement through Kanban optimization and safety-stock rightsizing.•      Supervise and develop two Junior Buyers — assign work, coach for growth, and build a high-performing team.What We’re Looking ForYou’ll need:•      5+ years of purchasing and/or production planning in a manufacturing environment.•      Real-world experience in a lean organization — Kanban, continuous improvement, pull scheduling.•      Working knowledge of USMCA/NAFTA compliance and US-Mexico cross-border logistics.•      ERP/MRP proficiency and strong Excel skills.•      A bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain, Business, Operations, or equivalent experience.•      Clear, confident communication skills and the ability to collaborate across departments and cultures.Big plus if you have:•      Experience in wire harness, cable assembly, or electro-mechanical manufacturing.•      Bilingual English/Spanish — our Fresnillo team will love you for it.•      APICS CPIM or CSCP certification.What Success Looks LikeOn-Time Customer Delivery: ≥ 95%PO Fill Rate: ≥ 95%USMCA Compliance: 100%Inventory Turns: Improving year over yearBOM / Item Master Accuracy: ≥ 99%The DetailsLocation: Joliet, IL (on-site with periodic travel to Fresnillo, MX — approximately 10–15%)Reports To: Vice President / General ManagerDirect Reports: 2 Junior BuyersSchedule: Full-time, Monday–FridayTravel: Valid passport required; occasional Mexico site visits Why Join Advantage Components?•      Real ownership: you run the function, not just execute tasks.•      Variety: no two weeks look the same across two countries, two plants, and a diverse customer base.•      Stability with growth: a 130-person company with a tight-knit culture and room to make your mark.•      Leadership: manage and develop your own small team from day one. Ready to take ownership of a high-impact supply chain role?Send your resume and a brief note on your relevant experience to gcirone@aciwires.comAdvantage Components, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer.