Sr. Technical Buyer

Description

Location: On-Site / Hybrid

DEPARTMENT: Operations / Supply Chain

REPORTS TO: Supply Chain Manager

Employment Type: Full-Time, Salary with benefits

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Senior Technical Buyer is responsible for end-to-end sourcing, purchasing, supplier management, and expediting technically complex materials, components, equipment, and services supporting engineering, manufacturing, and product operations. This role converts engineering and production requirements into executable supplier commitments and ensures cost, quality, delivery, documentation, and compliance requirements are met.

The successful candidate combines strong commercial judgment with the technical aptitude needed to support a project-oriented, low-volume/high-mix manufacturing environment and works closely with Engineering, Manufacturing, Quality, Program Management, Finance, and suppliers.

PRINCIPAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

•  Lead assigned purchases from requisition and RFQ through supplier selection, purchase-order placement, delivery, and closeout.
• Source raw materials, precision-machined components, fabricated parts, commercial hardware, equipment, and technical services.
• Review drawings, specifications, bills of material, MRP requirements, project schedules, material callouts, GD&T, and quality clauses before supplier commitment.
• Prepare RFQs, evaluate quotations, negotiate pricing and commercial terms, and recommend awards based on technical capability, total value, quality, lead time, and risk.
• Issue and administer purchase orders and subcontracts in accordance with company procedures, delegated authority, and applicable contract requirements.
• Identify, evaluate, qualify, onboard, and manage suppliers capable of meeting technical, quality, delivery, capacity, and commercial requirements.
• Monitor supplier delivery, quality, responsiveness, cost, and capacity; communicate expectations and coordinate recovery actions when performance falls below requirements.
• Maintain open-order commitments, obtain acknowledgments, expedite shortages and late orders, and communicate supply risks and recommended mitigation actions.
• Coordinate supplier quality issues with Quality and Engineering, including containment, nonconformance disposition, root cause, corrective action, replacement, and rework.
• Support and help manage the Quality Management System (QMS), including applicable controls, supplier quality records, audits, corrective actions, and continuous improvement.
• Maintain accurate supplier, item, lead-time, pricing, and purchase-order data in the ERP/MRP system and retain complete procurement records for traceability and audit readiness.
• Support cost analysis, make/buy evaluations, supplier negotiations, cost-reduction initiatives, and identification of long-lead, sole-source, and capacity risks.
• Provide clear status updates to internal stakeholders and act as an escalation point for complex procurements, supplier negotiations, delivery recovery, and commercial disputes.

Requirements

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

• High school diploma or GED required. An associate or bachelor’s degree in supply chain management, Business, Engineering, Operations, or a related field is strongly preferred.
• Minimum 8 years of progressive purchasing, sourcing, planning, or supplier-management experience in a manufacturing or project-oriented technical environment.
• Demonstrated ability to read and interpret engineering drawings, specifications, bills of material, material callouts, and GD&T.
• Demonstrated experience sourcing complex machined parts, fabricated components, raw materials, equipment, or technical services to engineering requirements.
• Hands-on experience with ERP/MRP systems, purchase-order administration, supplier negotiations, quote analysis, supplier qualification, expediting, and open-order management.
• Ability to demonstrate sound judgment in supplier selection, strong follow-through on commitments, and clear communication of procurement risks to technical and non-technical stakeholders.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Excel, Word, Outlook, and standard business systems.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Experience in turbomachinery, aerospace, precision manufacturing, engineered products, prototype development, or a similar technical or regulated industry.
• Working knowledge of manufacturing processes, material specifications, supplier quality requirements, and nonconforming material disposition.
• Experience supporting supplier audits, corrective actions, capability reviews, and supplier development activities.
• Experience with Infor Cloud Suite ERP/MRP functionality.
• Familiarity with government-contract purchasing requirements, including FAR/DFARS flow-downs, when applicable.
• Professional certifications such as CPSM, CPM, CPIM, CSCP, or equivalent.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

• Strong negotiation, supplier management, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to translate technical, quality, and schedule requirements into clear and executable supplier commitments.
• High attention to detail, sound commercial judgment, accountability, and consistent follow-through.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities, changing requirements, and urgent delivery needs in a dynamic environment.
• Clear and professional written and verbal communication with suppliers and cross-functional teams.
• Working knowledge of competitive bidding, purchasing ethics, terms and conditions, cost analysis, and procurement best practices.
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision while escalating significant cost, schedule, technical, or supplier-performance risks appropriately.

WORK ARRANGEMENT AND TRAVEL:

This is an onsite/hybrid role. Strong consideration may be given to a fully remote work arrangement for candidates with relevant turbomachinery, aerospace, precision manufacturing, engineered products, prototype development, or similar technical or regulated industry. The position requires effective collaboration with engineering and manufacturing teams and the ability to travel to supplier or customer locations as business needs require.

GNERAL DISCLAIMER

The compensation range posted represents the full salary range for the role. Actual pay will be determined based on a candidate’s experience, skills, and the position level ultimately offered.