Position Purpose:
The Buyer creates, reviews, and maintains valid material plans, manages the supply base, and ensures uninterrupted material flow to meet production and customer demand, with a focus on aerospace electronics components. This position works under moderate supervision, providing support to cross-functional teams, including manufacturing, engineering, and supply chain, while participating in continuous improvement initiatives.
Essential Functions:
Plans, schedules, releases, and manages purchase, interplant, and work orders as required, ensuring maximum cost/quantity/delivery optimization.
Directs supplier actions to mitigate anticipated delays using ERP/MRP data and participates in capacity and SIOP review meetings.
Maintains and analyzes planning parameters (lead times, lot sizes, order quantities, safety stock) and implements replenishment targets to support “pull” systems.
Sources electronic and peripheral components within designated commodities to support manufacturing, with a focus on aerospace applications.
Develops and executes strategies for negotiation of purchase order terms, including price, delivery, and expedites.
Performs supplier evaluation, selection, and management to ensure on-time ordering and delivery of components.
Participates in ongoing projects, continuous improvement/Lean initiatives, and supports engineering changes, new product development, and bid processes.
Ensures target inventory levels are maintained and identifies opportunities for cost reduction.
Develops and maintains communication channels with internal departments and external suppliers to ensure system integrity and production continuity.
Provides analytics, presentations, and reporting on procurement activities.
Supports ERP system updates, testing, and data integrity, including purchase parameters and revisions.
Executes and manages Non-Disclosure Agreements (NDAs) as required.
Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:
Solid understanding of aerospace manufacturing processes and procurement requirements.
Proficient in ERP systems for material planning and purchasing (e.g., SAP, WISE, Cincom, Fuze, or equivalent), including MRPII/MRP functions.
Strong knowledge of sourcing, supplier management, negotiation strategies, and supply chain principles.
Competent in Microsoft Office Suite, including advanced Excel functions for analytics and reporting.
Effective verbal and written communication, technical reporting, and cross-functional collaboration skills.
Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving abilities with attention to detail.
Education & Certification:
Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Operations Management, Supply Chain, or related field.
Experience:
Minimum of 3 years progressive purchasing experience within the electronics board assembly industry, preferably in aerospace.
Hands-on experience with ERP systems in a manufacturing environment and exposure to aerospace supply chain processes.