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.
$105,000 - $115,000 per year Position Summary The Senior Buyer is responsible for the strategic procurement of aerospace components, raw materials, special processing services, equipment, and indirect commodities in support of production, overhaul and repair operations, and customer program requirements. This position ensures compliance with company policies, aerospace quality standards, customer requirements, and governmental regulations, including ITAR, DFARS, and DPAS requirements. The Senior Buyer partners closely with Engineering, Quality, Operations, Planning, and key suppliers to ensure uninterrupted material flow, cost competitiveness, and on-time delivery performance. Essential Duties and Responsibilities Analyze MRP requirements and production schedules to procure materials and services that support customer delivery commitments and inventory objectives. Manage the procurement lifecycle for aerospace components, machined parts, forgings, castings, raw materials, assemblies, and outside processing services. Develop and execute sourcing strategies that support operational, quality, delivery, and cost objectives. Solicit quotations, perform cost and price analyses, and negotiate favorable pricing, lead times, terms, and contractual conditions. Evaluate, qualify, and monitor suppliers based on quality, delivery performance, capacity, responsiveness, and regulatory compliance. Establish and maintain strong supplier relationships while driving continuous improvement initiatives. Ensure all purchase orders are accurate and include applicable flow-down requirements, including: Customer-specific requirements Engineering revisions and specifications AS9100 requirements First Article Inspection (AS9102) requirements ITAR and Export Control requirements DFARS and FAR clauses, when applicable DPAS priority ratings Collaborate with Engineering and Quality teams to resolve technical issues, specification questions, nonconforming material reports, and supplier corrective actions. Expedite critical material shortages and proactively resolve supplier delivery issues to minimize production disruptions. Coordinate disposition and replacement of nonconforming supplier materials to maintain production continuity. Track supplier performance metrics and participate in supplier development and risk mitigation activities. Monitor market conditions, industry trends, material availability, and geopolitical factors impacting aerospace supply chains. Partner with Finance and Accounts Payable to resolve invoicing, payment, and pricing discrepancies. Support customer, regulatory, and third-party audits as required. Assist in continuous improvement initiatives focused on inventory optimization, supplier performance, and cost reduction. Perform other duties and special projects as assigned. Qualifications Education Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Business Administration, Engineering, Operations Management, or a related field required. Experience Minimum of five (5) years of purchasing or supply chain experience in an aerospace, defense, aviation, or highly regulated manufacturing environment. Experience procuring manufactured components, raw materials, and special processing services preferred. Experience working within MRP/ERP systems in a manufacturing environment. Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Strong understanding of aerospace manufacturing processes and supply chain requirements. Working knowledge of AS9100 quality systems and aerospace industry standards. Familiarity with FAR, DFARS, ITAR, EAR, and DPAS regulations. Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings, bills of material, specifications, and technical documentation. Strong supplier negotiation and contract management skills. Proficiency in cost analysis, strategic sourcing, and supplier performance management. Excellent analytical, organizational, and problem-solving abilities. Strong communication skills with the ability to collaborate effectively across multiple functions. Proficient in Microsoft Office and ERP/MRP systems. Preferred Qualifications CPIM, CPSM, CSCP, or other professional supply chain certification. Experience supporting military, defense, or aerospace OEM programs. Knowledge of government contracting requirements and aerospace customer flow-downs. Experience with forgings, precision machining, special processing, and complex aerospace assemblies. Work Environment This position operates in a manufacturing environment and may require periodic visits to production, warehouse, inspection, and supplier facilities. Equal Employment Opportunity All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. Export Compliance Requirement Due to U.S. Government export control regulations, candidates must be eligible to obtain any required authorizations from the U.S. Government to access controlled technical data and information. ???????
