Buyer - Aerospace

Buyers are responsible for procuring materials and services for manufacturing aerospace and defense components. Purchased items include hardware, consumables, raw stock, tooling, outsourced machining, outsourced surface treatment, MRO items, and other materials and services.

To achieve customer schedules, the Buyer coordinates with internal personnel to ensure orders are fulfilled on time, communicates order status and delivery changes, and escalates issues as appropriate. Working within the ERP system and according to Company standards, Buyers request quotes, negotiate pricing and delivery, issue purchase orders, and update lead times and order and delivery changes.

Buyers perform supply chain activities using sound business practices, good negotiation and communication skills, and consummate business ethics.

This role is identified as requiring ITAR (International Traffic in Arms Regulations) compliance; therefore, qualified candidates must meet the definition of a U.S. Person (per EAR Part 772 and ITAR 120.15):

• An individual who is granted U.S. citizenship, or

• An individual who is granted U.S. permanent residence (Green Card holder), or

• An individual who is granted status as a protected person under applicable U.S. law.

Essential Functions

To accomplish this job, an individual must be able to perform each essential function satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to help enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Responsible for timeliness, accuracy, and integrity of MRP data entered into ERP system (i.e. lead times, planned costs, payment terms, and other parameters).

• Utilizes MRP data and internal quotes to customers to prepare and obtain quotes (RFQs) from suppliers.

• May negotiate or support the negotiation of long-term agreements (LTA); monitors compliance with LTAs when applicable.

• Reviews bids and negotiates pricing to ensure the Company receives the best possible price while satisfying applicable quality and delivery requirements.

• Coordinates purchasing activities cross-functionally with Operations, Project Management, and Engineering to acquire inventory cost-effectively and to ensure timely receipt of goods in compliance with inventory objectives.

• Creates and issues purchase orders and order changes utilizing MRP system. Performs daily system monitoring and maintenance as needed for materials, services, and tooling.

• Ensures order confirmation and acceptance of each purchase order released to the supply chain; coordinates return shipments.

• Tracks actual purchase spend as compared to customer quotes; reports variance to management at least quarterly; escalates major deviations for review by management before issuing purchase orders.

• Monitors shortage reports and past-due purchase orders; communicates this information appropriately as issues are identified; may negotiate expedited shipping or other activities to minimize schedule interruptions.

• Maintains supplier performance metrics (monthly) and ensures accurate supplier quality certification is maintained in the ERP system.

• Communicates professionally and courteously (English) to convey clear and concise information to suppliers and coworkers via telephone, email, and in-person.

• May travel to supplier and/or customer sites as requested; coordinates and hosts vendor visits and attends meetings as needed.

• Encourages operational excellence by thinking innovatively and suggesting process improvements; may participate in continuous improvement initiatives (LEAN, Six Sigma, etc.).

• Performs other duties as required.

• Regular attendance on-site at the workplace is required.

Experience

• Bachelor's degree in business administration or other applicable field is preferred
• • Minimum of two (2) years in a purchasing role in a manufacturing industry is required; experience in the aerospace or defense industry with an emphasis in outside processing and/or machining is preferred
  • Supply Chain certification by APICS, ISM, or similar is preferred

Other Required Skills and Abilities

• Excellent organizational, negotiation, interpersonal, and communication skills are required.

• Demonstrated analytical, problem-solving, and critical thinking abilities to handle unexpected challenges appropriately.

• Commitment to maintaining confidentiality, securing Company records, and demonstrating integrity in communications and actions.

• Self-management skills including efficiency, sense of urgency, ability to adapt and respond to unexpected circumstances, and ability to juggle multiple projects, competing priorities, and meet concurrent deadlines.

• Computer proficiency utilizing Microsoft Office applications including Outlook, Excel, PowerPoint, Word, and Teams/SharePoint; intermediate Excel skills to include creation of pivot tables, VLOOKUPs, charts, graphs, and other formulas is required.

• Demonstrated knowledge and experience using ERP and MRP is required; Infor Visual experience is preferred.

• Knowledge of export controls, ITAR, and CMMC is required.

• Experience working in an AS9100 and/or Nadcap accredited company preferred.

Physical Demands and Work Environment

To perform the essential functions of the role, employees must be able to perform the following activities with or without reasonable accommodations:

• Sit for prolonged periods at a desk and work on a computer.

• Regularly stand and walk throughout the facility, including all buildings and the manufacturing areas; occasionally navigating rough or uneven terrain.

• Regularly lift, carry (short distances), and push/pull up to 50 pounds.

• Occasionally climb steps, stairs, or ladders.

• Occasionally bend, crawl, stoop, squat, or kneel.

• Constantly communicate verbally and in writing (English) using a phone, texts or other messaging, and email.

Working Conditions

Work is generally performed in a typical office setting; frequent visits to the manufacturing and/or warehouse environment may be required. Working conditions may vary significantly for these visits and the employee may be exposed to:

• Excessive noise (occasionally).

• Dust, smoke, fumes/vapors (occasionally).

• Extreme temperatures (occasionally).

• Hazardous equipment including forklifts, hand tools, cranes or other lifting devices, complex machining centers, and other equipment used in a machine shop environment (occasionally).

Skills

ERP, negotiation skills, verbal communication, written communication, professionalism, business ethics, procurement, MRP, RFQ.