Strategic Buyer

Héroux-Devtek

$80K — $95K *
Aerospace & Defense
5 - 7 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree in supply chain, Business, Engineering, or related field, or equivalent experience
  • 5+ years in Buyer, Buyer/Planner, or Strategic Sourcing roles
  • Experience managing a supplier book of $25M or greater
  • Proven supplier management and contract negotiation skills
  • Familiarity with SAP, Oracle, or similar ERP/MRP systems
  • Experience with mass RFQ events and cost savings analysis
  • Strong MS Excel and data analysis skills

Responsibilities

  • Manage supplier portfolio worth $25-$30M, focusing on raw materials and components
  • Build long-term relationships with strategic suppliers, including travel for onsite visits
  • Negotiate pricing, terms, and Long-Term Agreements to enhance program stability
  • Lead RFQ events, evaluating supplier bids on cost and quality
  • Drive cost-saving initiatives through strategic sourcing and contract renegotiation
  • Monitor supplier performance against KPIs like on-time delivery and quality
  • Resolve supplier issues and execute risk assessments for supply continuity
  • Act on MRP outputs to manage purchase orders and material flow

Benefits

  • Team-oriented work culture with a focus on innovation
  • Opportunities for skills development and training
  • Diverse environment with a commitment to employee growth
  • Access to a motivating, top-notch team in the aerospace sector
  • Engagement in challenges that promote professional advancement
Full Job Description
Summary:

Beaver Aerospace & Defense, a Héroux-Devtek company, is seeking a Strategic Buyer to own end-to-end procurement of raw materials and purchased components across a supplier portfolio of approximately $25-$30M supporting mission-critical aerospace and defense programs. This role is approximately 90% strategic sourcing and supplier relationship management, and 10% MRP-driven material planning and production coordination, negotiating long-term agreements and ensuring uninterrupted material flow to the production floor. This job description indicates the general nature and level of the work expected and is not designed to be a comprehensive or all-inclusive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities. Other duties may be required.
Main Responsibilities:
Supplier Management & Procurement (Primary Focus ~90%):
  • Own and manage a supplier book of approximately $25-$30M across raw materials and purchased components
  • Build and maintain strong, long-term relationships with strategic suppliers, including regular on-site visits and travel as needed
  • Negotiate pricing, payment terms, lead times, and Long-Term Agreements (LTAs) to support program stability and cost performance
  • Lead mass RFQ events for new and recurring requirements, evaluating supplier responses on price, capability, capacity, lead time, and quality
  • Drive cost savings initiatives through strategic sourcing, supplier consolidation, contract renegotiation, and value engineering
  • Manage supplier performance against established KPIs including on-time delivery (OTD), quality, responsiveness, and cost
  • Resolve supplier issues including late deliveries, quality non-conformances, and capacity constraints; escalate appropriately
  • Conduct supplier risk assessments and develop mitigation strategies to ensure continuity of supply
Material Planning & Production Coordination (~10%):
  • Read and act on MRP output to drive purchase order creation, vendor release schedules, and material flow to the production floor
  • Maintain accurate planning parameters in SAP/ERP including lead times, safety stock, reorder points, and minimum order quantities
  • Coordinate daily with production supervisors, manufacturing engineering, and quality teams to align material availability with production schedules
  • Support forecast-driven planning in a low-volume, high-mix aerospace manufacturing environment
  • Track inventory levels and drive corrective actions to prevent shortages and excess
Reporting, Analysis & Continuous Improvement:
  • Develop and present cost savings analyses, supplier scorecards, and procurement performance reporting to leadership
  • Use data analytics to identify trends, risks, and improvement opportunities across the supplier base
  • Maintain accurate procurement and planning documentation to support compliance with AS9100, ITAR, and customer contractual requirements
  • Drive continuous improvement initiatives within the supply chain function
Our Ideal Candidate:
Required:
  • Bachelor's degree in supply chain, Business, Engineering, or a related field, or equivalent combination of education and experience
  • 5+ years of experience in a Buyer, Buyer/Planner, or Strategic Sourcing role within a manufacturing environment
  • Demonstrated experience managing a supplier book of $25M or greater
  • Proven track record of supplier relationship management, contract negotiation, and Long-Term Agreement (LTA) execution
  • Working knowledge of SAP, Oracle, or comparable ERP/MRP systems
  • Experience leading mass RFQ events and conducting cost savings analysis
  • Strong understanding of low-volume, forecast-driven production environments
  • Experience managing supplier performance through KPIs (OTD, quality, cost)
  • Excellent communication, negotiation, and relationship-building skills
  • Willingness to travel to supplier sites as required (estimated 10-20%)
  • Strong proficiency in Microsoft Excel and data analysis
  • Legal authorization to work in the United States without sponsorship
  • Must meet ITAR eligibility requirements
  • Ability to move through industrial or manufacturing areas and consistently observe established safety policies, including use of appropriate personal protective equipment
Is a Plus:
  • Aerospace, defense, or military supplier industry experience, or familiarity with these supplier networks
  • Experience in a low-volume, high-mix precision manufacturing environment
  • Familiarity with AS9100 quality management system requirements
  • APICS CPIM, CSCP, or ISM CPSM certification
  • Experience with cost reduction methodologies and value engineering
  • Prior experience supporting DoD, DLA, or major aerospace prime contractor programs
Work Culture and Environment:

Are you known as an innovation driver? Are you looking for your next challenge and opportunity to learn & excel in Aerospace? Héroux-Devtek offers you the opportunity to work in a diverse and team-oriented environment where skills development is a top priority. Here, employees are at the heart of the realization of the product, developed through engineering centers, factories, a service unit, and an accessible and agile head office for fast decision-making.

Be part of a motivating top-notch team taking Aerospace to new heights!

Candidates must meet security screening requirements as set out by ITAR directives.

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