Sr. Buyer - Defense & Space Manufacturing

Job Title: Sr. Buyer           

Department: Supply Chain, Quality, Operations & FBS - Exempt          

Reports To: Purchasing Manager

Responsibilities:

Active supply base management to optimize supplier performance and accommodate operational excellence. Champion problem-solving activities, foster continuous improvement environment and influence stakeholders. The Sr. Buyer is responsible for the ordering, based on approved requisitions, and availability of materials to meet development/production requirements. This includes responsibility for developing and maintaining competitive sources for materials, supplies and services.

• PO Process
  • Executes, purchase order, blanket purchase orders and other measures to secure long term supply & fix pricing.
  • Identified opportunities for supplier Kan Ban, safety stock or VMI & initiate.
  • Ensures that purchase order records are always accurate, and resolves any discrepancies about price, lead time, transportation & T/C’s expeditiously.
  • Manages the execution of complex processing & operations.
  • Responds urgently to shortages or push outs.  Able to resolve and manage effectively to prevent disruption to operations & customer expectations.
  • Follows all company purchasing policies and procedures.
  • Receives and evaluates proposals from potential suppliers. Develops negotiation plans, and with management approval, completes negotiations. 
  • Documents procurement files to show that competent consideration has been given to all factors essential to effective and economical procurement. 
• Negotiations 
  • Lead negotiation on costs, inventory & standard T/Cs
  • Price justification and cost analysis
  • Ability to influence multiple suppliers.
• Daily Work
  • Leads supplier on-time delivery corrective actions.
  • Source for escalation for daily issues
  • Perform root cause analysis to facilitate daily management & problem solving.
  • Lead audit initiatives on standard work
  • Train other buyers
  • Ability to lead/mentor & develop standard work.
  • Conducts all compliance activity to support corporate & business requirements.
  • Pre-emptively manage material obsolescence & lifecycle events
  • Responsible for resolving supplier feedback.
  • Fully understand origin of system messages and ability to troubleshoot.
  • Facilitate change management within department and externally. Coordinates engineering, manufacturing, and quality control requirements with suppliers. 
• Continuous Improvement
  • Lead/Facilitate various continuous improvement events.
• Supply Base Management
  • Understands and may influence suppliers supply chain, takes action to mitigate risk.
  • Develops and maintains competitive sources for materials, supplies and services. Coordinates source selection decisions with other company activities as required. 
  • Keeps abreast of the market, business cycles, scarcity, and surplus conditions.
  • Ability to influence supplier and supply chain performance.
  • Ability to create solutions to shortages, cost or pushouts through collaboration, alternatives, and innovation.
  • Knowledge of scorecard rating & SCARs. 
  • Identifies new sources & performs basic capability assessment.
  • Responsible for source transition activity, part qualification.
  • Develops and maintains good supplier relations by adhering to high standards of business ethics and fair dealing

Qualifications – External:

• 3+ years of purchasing experience in an aerospace environment or equivalent experience. 
• At least 3 years of working in an MRP environment. Working knowledge of Kanban, a plus.
• Good negotiating skills.

Education and Experience:

• Bachelor of Science in Business or related field or 5+ years related experience in lieu of degree 
• CPM and/or APICS certification desirable

Working Conditions: On Site

Benefits:

• PTO
• 401K
• Health Insurance (medical, dental, optical)
• Tuition reimbursement
• Parental leave (mothers, fathers, and adoptive parents)

In addition to the benefits, you’d expect we also offer flexibility, stability, and prosperity:

• A bonus payment for all associates, paid quarterly, based on company performance and behavior metrics 
• Promotion from within culture.
• Opportunity to move vertically or laterally
• A culture where we all have a role in building a community where everyone