Buyer I

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.