Senior Buyer

Full Time + Benefits (Medical, Dental, Vision, 401k with Company Match, PTO)

Job Type: Onsite

Salary Range: $80,000.00 - $110,000.00 DOE

Location: Chatsworth, CA.

Job Summary

The Senior Buyer is responsible for managing the procurement of subcontracted materials and services, ensuring purchase orders, drawings, and specifications provide suppliers with the information necessary to accurately quote, manufacture, and deliver products. This role serves as the primary liaison with suppliers, coordinating all aspects of purchased materials and services while also supporting the procurement of non-subcontracted items as needed. The Senior Buyer ensures suppliers are properly qualified and approved, including facilitating the onboarding of new suppliers in accordance with company requirements. They are responsible for securing the right products and services in the correct quantities, within schedule, and to all quality and technical specifications. Additionally, the Senior Buyer drives cost-reduction initiatives to achieve departmental PPV goals and supports the development of long-term agreements, SLAs, and Vendor Managed Inventory (VMI) programs to improve supplier performance and supply chain efficiency.

Key Responsibilities

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform these essential functions. Under minimal supervision, must be able to perform a variety of job duties including, but not limited to:

• Manage purchasing activities by reviewing requirements, issuing purchase orders, monitoring open orders, and maintaining accurate supplier lead times and delivery commitments within the ERP system.
• Develop and maintain supplier relationships by facilitating supplier approvals, evaluating supplier performance through key metrics, and driving improvements in responsiveness, delivery, and overall performance.
• Collaborate with suppliers and internal stakeholders to resolve material shortages, schedule conflicts, production-critical requirements, receiving discrepancies, and other supply chain issues to ensure continuity of operations.
• Coordinate supplier returns, nonconformance resolutions, and related documentation with Shipping, Receiving, Quality Assurance, and Accounts Payable to ensure accurate processing and compliance.
• Review and optimize inventory planning parameters, including safety stock levels, to support production demands while meeting inventory objectives.
• Support manufacturing and engineering initiatives by participating in shortage review meetings, expediting critical materials, coordinating urgent logistics activities, and assisting with new product development and sourcing efforts.
• Follow all safety standards and procedures, including PPE requirements for a manufacturing environment.
• Maintain an organized, clean, and safe work area using safety standards and expectations
• Other duties as needed or assigned.

Required Skills

• Must have excellent written and verbal skills. Ability to read, analyze, and interpret general business information. Ability to write reports, business correspondence, and procedure manuals. Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of managers.
• Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out detailed but uninvolved written or oral instructions.
• Ability to manage and solve problems involving a few concrete variables in standardized and complex situations.
• Strong knowledge of purchasing, inventory, receiving, logistics, and manufacturing processes
• Proficiency in ERP systems and Microsoft Suite for tracking, reporting, and data management.
• Must have solid analytical skills and solution-driven thinking. Able to use data to make decisions.
• Ability to apply continuous improvement and lean principles to enhance efficiency and productivity.
• Experience with KPI tracking, performance metrics, and data analysis to support operational improvements.
• Strong supplier management skills with the ability to build effective partnerships, drive timely follow-up, communicate clearly across all levels, and negotiate favorable commercial terms.
• Proven ability to develop and execute best-in-class procurement practices that enhance supplier quality, improve delivery performance, reduce costs, and support organizational objectives.

Preferred Skills

• Prior experience in an aerospace and/or medical device manufacturing environment.
• Knowledge of electronic components, raw materials, printed circuit boards and flex PCBAs.
• ERP experience in Made to Manage.
• CPIM/CSCP Certificate.

Education Requirements

• Bachelor's degree (B.A. /B.S.) in supply chain, business administration or related field; and/or, seven (7) to ten (10) years of experience in progressive roles; or equivalent years of experience and education.
• Minimum of seven (7) + years of diversified and progressively responsible experience in small or medium-sized manufacturing shops.
• Associates (A.S) supply chain, business, or related field and ten (10) + years of experience.

• Experience managing ERP systems (e.g., Made-2-Manage).

Physical Requirements

• Frequent use of hands for typing and use of computer system.
• Ability to perform similar operations and tasks for 6-8 hours.
• Ability to sit and stand for 6 to 8 hours.
• Ability to lift up to 25 lbs. frequently
• Ability to lift, push and pull up to 50 lbs. occasionally.

• Ability to bend and reach for 6 to 8 hours.

Working Conditions

• Work performed indoors in a temperature-controlled environment frequently and outdoors with temperature variations occasionally.
• Required use of PPE including safety glasses, gloves, and safety-toed footwear.
• While performing the duties of this job, will regularly be exposed to moving high-speed machinery and mechanical parts. Will occasionally be exposed to machine oils and hazardous materials.

All offers of employment at Fralock are contingent upon clear results of a background check. Background checks may include some or all the following depending on job title and responsibilities:

• Social Security Verification
• Prior Employment Verification
• Criminal History
• Personal and Professional References
• Motor Vehicle Records
• Credit History