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H
Heroux-Devtek
Strategic Buyer
Career Insights for Commodities / Manufacturing Buyer
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Based on Michigan data
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What they do
A Commodities or Manufacturing Buyer is responsible for sourcing and purchasing the commodities needed for ongoing or future production in a manufacturing process. Responsible for maintaining supplier relationships. May also be responsible growing supplier relationships with new and/or existing suppliers.
$65,193 / year median in Michigan
-3% projected decline
Job Description
Héroux-Devtek, the world's 3rd largest producer of landing gear, serves the civil and military aerospace markets from production facilities in North America, Europe and United Kingdom. The Company's longevity, flexibility, and track record for the development and implementation of innovative production systems have distinguished it as a leader in the domain. With its most recent acquisitions, Héroux-Devtek is bolstering its status as one of the foremost landing gear, actuation and hydraulic system designers and manufacturers in the global aerospace industry. Located in Livonia, Michigan, spanning 3 facilities (100,000+ sq. ft.) with over 130 employees, Beaver Aerospace & Defense is one of Héroux-Devtek's centers of excellence for design, development, manufacturing, and assembly of ball screws, actuation systems and other aerospace components. Our ball screws, ball splines, gears, and electromechanical linear/rotary actuators are custom designed to fit virtually any application with superior performance, quality and precision. In fact, our actuation solutions are installed on some of the most advanced aircraft, missile applications and mission-critical space exploration systems in the world, featuring the latest in motion control technology. With a strong focus on custom precision manufacturing processes with machining automation and techniques, we aim to remain the best value producer of complex and precision Aerospace & Defense components. Leaders who invest in your success, development, and growth A culture of true teamwork and pride in our product Competitive salaries linked to performance and paid time off 9 paid holidays A comprehensive group insurance plan including HSA/FSA options, Dental & Vision Coverage for Domestic Partnerships Supportive wellness program, including healthcare discounts Automatic Life Insurance with supplemental options Short- and Long-Term Disability Insurance Opportunities for retirement savings with 401k plans including a company match Tuition reimbursement for relevant Certifications, Education, & Trainings Free access to a virtual doctor and the employee assistance program Social activities for all employees (BBQ, Golf, Christmas parties, etc.) Generous referral bonuses and advantageous recognition programs A motivating work environment and a human management style where you can make a difference 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. 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 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 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 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 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