Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Supply Chain Management, or equivalent experience.
5+ years of professional purchasing experience managing suppliers.
Experience with Aerospace, Defense, or Government customers preferred.
Strong supplier relationship management and negotiation skills.
Ability to communicate technical specifications to diverse audiences.
Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite.
U.S. citizenship required.
Responsibilities
Serve as the primary contact for assigned suppliers and internal stakeholders.
Execute complex requisitions and purchasing strategies for company projects.
Lead cross-functional teams to resolve significant supply chain issues.
Manage a portfolio of high-value spend on COTS parts and complex assemblies.
Conduct RFQ activities, quote analysis, and supplier selection.
Negotiate supplier contracts regarding cost, terms, and delivery.
Monitor supplier performance and develop mitigation plans for risks.
Benefits
Mentorship opportunities for professional growth.
Support for continuous improvement initiatives and process standardization.
Collaboration with cross-functional teams across the organization.
Full Job Description
The Opportunity:
We are seeking a highly organized and detail-oriented professional to join our Customer Success Team as a Senior Buyer. This role owns complex and high-value purchasing activity and helps shape supply chain strategy and execution. The Senior Buyer works independently with suppliers and Safran stakeholders to manage supplier performance, resolve customer-critical issues, reduce supply risk, and support the successful introduction of new products. The role also provides guidance to other team members and helps strengthen purchasing processes across the team.
How I will Contribute:
Serve as a lead point of contact for assigned suppliers and internal stakeholders, including international partners, and guide complex supplier discussions.
Expert in data integrity and maintenance.
Execute complex requisitions and purchasing strategies supporting company programs and projects.
Lead cross-functional efforts with Procurement, Planning, Trade Compliance, Quality, Logistics, Engineering, and Operations to resolve significant supply chain issues.
Own a portfolio of high-value spend involving COTS parts, complex assemblies, and services.
Lead RFQ activity, quote analysis, supplier selection recommendations, and purchase order placement for complex requirements.
Lead supplier negotiations involving cost, terms, quality, and delivery.
Monitor supplier capacity, lead-time risk, and supply chain vulnerabilities; develop and coordinate mitigation plans with stakeholders.
Lead supplier recovery plans for customer-critical escalations, including corrective actions, stakeholder updates, and follow-through.
Lead procurement planning and supplier integration for new product introductions.
Manage relationships with internal stakeholders, including Operations, Business Development, Finance, Quality, and Engineering, and advise them on supplier strategy and risk.
Drive continuous improvement initiatives, standardize processes, and share best practices across the team.
Support forecasting, demand planning, capacity planning, and month-end finance activities.
Mentor team members, support alignment on key performance indicators (KPIs), and provide guidance for professional growth.
What You Bring to Safran Federal Systems
Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Supply Chain Management, military or industry equivalent experience.
Five or more years of professional purchasing experience managing suppliers.
Ability to read and communicate technical specifications to technical and non-technical audiences preferred.
Ability to make sound decisions while complying with company policies and applicable federal regulations.
Experience working with Aerospace, Defense, or Government customers preferred.
Strong supplier relationship management and negotiation skills.
Ability to handle conflict or differing opinions with tact and professionalism.
Clear communication skills for working with different audiences locally and globally.
Proficiency with Microsoft Office, including Outlook, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
Ability to recognize others' needs and concerns, build trust, and manage working relationships.
Ability to remain in a seated position at least 50% of the time.
U.S. citizenship required.
Position is based in the U.S., with occasional travel to suppliers.
Ability to be agile and have fun.
Please note this description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.
About Safran
Safran is a French multinational aerospace and defense company. It designs, manufactures, and sells aircraft engines, rocket engines, and other aerospace components. Safran is also involved in the defense industry, producing optronics, avionics, and other defense systems. The company has partnerships with several other aerospace and defense companies, including General Electric and Boeing. Safran has operations in over 60 countries and employs over 95,000 people.
