Senior Buyer

Job Summary:

The Senior Buyer evaluates requisitions for custom nonstandard items, confers with technical personnel on specifications and possible alternatives, determines the best sources of supply, and maintains and utilizes commodity knowledge & market conditions to reduce component pricing. Establishes preferred suppliers while setting expectations and activities to enable cost reduction from those suppliers. Works with the respective material planner to identify cost reduction opportunities from the future planned order release.

Responsibilities and Tasks:

• Strong ability to lead component purchasing commodity lane to achieve scheduled results and commit to contract delivery dates
• Requires technical knowledge of products, military specifications, and federal acquisition regulations
• Determines and develops the best sources of supply from knowledge of the supply base, product performance, and capabilities
• Obtains quotes from suppliers negotiating for optimum pricing, quality, delivery schedule, and terms and conditions
• Negotiates and drafts fixed pricing agreements with selected suppliers
• Capability to manage the Twenty-Six Defense Vendor Managed Inventory Program (VMI) and control the demand signals from EPR via electronic file distribution
• Manages commodity purchase order placement on time to support the Program schedule needs, as well as department metrics and Company goals for inventory turns
• Assures all specifications and regulations are provided in the purchasing agreements
• Provides recommendations for orders over the dollar threshold and, after receiving approval, negotiates and awards these orders
• Serves as liaison between the company and supplier regarding all changes in or problems with material deliveries to meet production schedules
• Actively seek the assistance of other departments to ensure fulfillment of the purchase order
• Interfaces with Program Management and/or production/material planning personnel to coordinate efforts to obtain material deliveries no earlier or later than required for production
• Performs in-depth price analysis utilizing commodity knowledge and market conditions to reduce component pricing
• Establishes preferred suppliers and initiates expectations and activities to enable cost reduction from the suppliers
• Works with respective team members to identify cost reduction opportunities from the future planned order release
• Request assistance from interfacing departments such as Finance or Legal as required, negotiating the purchase in accordance with company and government regulations
• Coordinate the resolution of supplier problems with interfacing departments
• Interview supplier representatives and keep abreast of product technology/life cycles and supplier status
• Provide leadership and training for Commodity, Specification, and Transformation Buyers
• Participate in and lead continuous improvement activities
• Support attainment of Process-Based Leadership Scorecard Goals
• Other related duties as assigned by the supervisor

Skills and Abilities:

• Commodity Management Experience
• Electromechanical or Electronic component and/or assembly experience 
• FAR/DFAR - strong working knowledge
• Aerospace, Military, or similar industry
• Demonstrate electronic/mechanical knowledge
• Knowledge of fixed pricing agreements and vendor-managed inventory
• Requires technical knowledge of products, military specifications, and federal acquisition regulations
• Oracle ERP experience

Education, Experience/Knowledge & License/Certification:

• Bachelor’s Degree with 5 to 7 years of experience
• 5+ years of industry experience is preferred

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