Job Title: Buyer / Material Planner II
Location: Vacaville, CA (100% Fully Site-Based)
Job Type: Full-Time (12-Month Contract)
Business Unit: Operations / Supply Chain
About the Role
Lonza is looking for an enthusiastic Buyer / Material Planner II to join our team in Vacaville, CA for a 12-month contract. This role is ideal for a supply chain professional who thrives at the intersection of procurement, vendor relations, and analytics.
While titled as a Planner, this position functions primarily as an external-facing Buyer/Procurement Specialist. You will focus heavily on supplier management, procurement execution, and leveraging modern software tools to optimize our supply chain operations.
Site-Based Note: This is a fully site-based role in Vacaville, CA. Working together in person supports the close, real-time collaboration and technical precision needed to manufacture medicines to the highest quality and safety standards.
Key Responsibilities
Procurement & Buyer Operations: Convert MRP/MPS requirements into purchase requisitions and purchase orders; manage external suppliers to ensure timely delivery of materials.
Supplier Management: Serve as the primary point of contact for external vendors, resolving supply chain issues, expediting orders, and managing delivery performance.
Analytics & Dashboarding: Leverage data tools to analyze supply chain metrics. Design, build, and maintain performance dashboards to track on-time delivery, supplier reliability, and inventory levels.
Inventory & Risk Management: Monitor inventory levels proactively to identify potential shortages, excess stock, and supplier risks, implementing swift corrective action.
Cross-Functional Collaboration: Partner closely with Manufacturing, Quality, R&D, and Finance to ensure material readiness for production and New Product Introductions (NPI).
Key Requirements
Must-Haves:
Procurement Background: Prior experience as a Junior/Senior Buyer or Procurement Specialist with a focus on external supplier-facing management rather than purely internal planning.
ERP Experience: Proven hands-on experience using ERP systems; Oracle or NetSuite experience is highly preferred.
Technical & Analytical Proficiency:
Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel.
Strong proficiency in Power BI with a passion for analytics, data interpretation, and creating functional dashboards.
Natural curiosity for exploring and mastering new software tools.
Communication: Strong interpersonal and negotiation skills for vendor and stakeholder management.
Nice-to-Haves:
Education: Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management, Business Administration, Operations Management, or equivalent relevant experience.
Industry Experience: Experience in a highly regulated biotech or FDA-regulated manufacturing environment.
Specialized Software: Experience using Fabriq or similar supply chain collaboration platforms.
About Lonza
At Lonza, our people are our greatest strength. With 30+ sites across five continents, our globally connected teams work together every day to manufacture the medicines of tomorrow.
Our core values—Collaboration, Accountability, Excellence, Passion, and Integrity—define how we work together and succeed. Everyone's ideas, big or small, have the potential to improve millions of lives. Innovation thrives when people from all backgrounds bring their unique perspectives to the table. Lonza is committed to fostering an inclusive environment where every employee can grow and make a meaningful impact.
Every day, Lonza’s products and services have a positive impact on millions of people.
