Job DescriptionPosition SummaryThe Senior Buyer is responsible for the strategic and tactical sourcing, procurement, and supplier management of aerospace manufactured components, raw materials (sheet, plate, bar, rod, wire, tubing, and chemicals), and outside processing services that support production, engineering, and customer delivery requirements. This multitasking role manages high-value supplier relationships, negotiates pricing, terms, and lead times, resolves supply chain issues, and ensures material availability while meeting cost, quality, and on-time delivery objectives.
The ideal candidate combines hands-on raw-material and commodity buying experience with the strategic sourcing skills needed to manage supplier performance, mitigate risk, and drive cost savings in a fast-paced, regulated aerospace manufacturing environment.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities- Procure aerospace components, assemblies, raw materials, and outside processing services in support of production schedules and customer requirements; quote, buy, and maintain assigned commodities at the best price consistent with quality and MRP requirements.
- Manage an assigned supplier portfolio, including commercial negotiations, on-time delivery, quality performance, capacity, and continuous improvement initiatives.
- Review MRP-generated purchase recommendations and material requirements, and convert them into purchase orders while balancing inventory investment against customer demand.
- Negotiate pricing, long-term agreements (LTAs), lead times, payment terms, material lots, and cost reduction initiatives; identify and implement cost savings and cost-avoidance opportunities.
- Analyze supplier capacity, manufacturing constraints, and market conditions to proactively identify and mitigate supply chain risk; evaluate alternate materials and sources.
- Coordinate with Planning, Engineering, Manufacturing, Program Management, and Quality to resolve material shortages, clarify specifications, and expedite critical deliveries.
- Lead supplier recovery efforts and resolve delivery, quality, receiving, and invoice/accounting discrepancies within delegated authority.
- Select, evaluate, and qualify suppliers to meet AS9100/ISO-9001 quality standards and applicable government compliance requirements; support supplier audits and corrective action activities.
- Support new product introductions by sourcing qualified suppliers and ensuring material availability.
- Review engineering drawings, specifications, and Bills of Material to ensure procurement requirements are clearly understood.
- Monitor and report supplier performance through key performance indicators, including:
- On-Time Delivery (OTD)
- Quality Performance (PPM)
- Lead Time Performance
- Cost Savings / Cost Avoidance
- Supplier Responsiveness
- Ensure all purchasing activities comply with AS9100, ITAR/EAR, FAR/DFARS, customer requirements, and company procurement policy and ethics.
- Maintain accurate supplier and purchasing data within the ERP system; maintain MRP messages and notify suppliers of changes in a timely manner.
- Serve as liaison between the company and suppliers to ensure suppliers have the tools, specifications, and drawings needed, and to resolve procurement issues.
- Mentor junior buyers and contribute to the development of purchasing best practices.
- Maintain an organized, clean, and safe work area in accordance with safety standards; perform other duties as assigned.
QualificationsRequired Qualifications- Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Business, Operations, Engineering, or a related field preferred; OR ten (10) years of progressively responsible procurement experience in lieu of degree.
- Minimum 7 years of purchasing experience in a manufacturing environment, including at least 5 years purchasing aerospace manufactured components and/or raw materials (sheet, plate, bar, tubing, etc.).
- Strong negotiation, supplier management, and cost-analysis experience.
- Experience with ERP/MRP systems such as Infor, Mapics, Epicor, SAP, Oracle, LN, Global Shop, Microsoft Dynamics, or similar.
- Working knowledge of metals terminology, record-keeping, and purchasing policy, procedure, and ethics.
- Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills; ability to manage multiple priorities and shift quickly between tasks.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills; ability to interact professionally with employees, suppliers, and customers at all levels.
- Advanced Microsoft Excel proficiency; proficient in Microsoft Word and general PC skills.
Preferred Qualifications (Highly Desired)Candidates with experience purchasing one or more of the following commodities are strongly preferred:
- CNC Machined Components
- Sheet Metal Fabrication, Metal Forming, and Stampings
- Weldments
- Aerospace Hardware and Fasteners
- Castings and Forgings
- Raw Materials - Aluminum, Stainless Steel, Titanium, Nickel Alloys, Inconel
- Tubing, Rod, Bar, Wire, and Chemicals
- Aerospace Special Processes - Heat Treat, Anodize, Passivation, Plating, Painting, Chemical Processing, NDT, Metal Polishing
Technical Knowledge- AS9100 / ISO-9001 Quality Management Systems
- Aerospace manufacturing processes
- ITAR/EAR export control and FAR/DFARS requirements
- Supplier performance metrics and scorecards
- Material Requirements Planning (MRP) and inventory/capacity planning
- Lean Manufacturing and Continuous Improvement
- Cost modeling and Total Cost of Ownership (TCO)
- Long-Term Agreements (LTAs)
Core Competencies- Strategic Sourcing & Supplier Relationship Management
- Negotiation & Contract Administration
- Cost Analysis & Risk Assessment
- Cross-Functional Leadership & Business Acumen
- Decision Making, Customer Focus, and Sense of Urgency
- Attention to Detail and Continuous Improvement
Physical Requirements- Ability to sit, stand, and walk throughout the workday; occasional bending, twisting, and reaching.
- Repetitive hand use and simple grasping; occasional pushing/pulling.
- Occasional lifting/carrying up to 25 lbs (assistance required above 25 lbs; mechanical assistance required above 50 lbs).
- Ability to visit manufacturing and warehouse environments, including areas with equipment noise and temperature/humidity variation; use of safety glasses, steel-toed boots, and hearing protection as required.
- Occasional travel (up to 10%) to supplier locations.
