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The Purchasing Manager is responsible for leading the company's procurement activities, ensuring the timely and cost-effective acquisition of materials, components, and services required for manufacturing operations in the aerospace and defense industry. The role is responsible for developing sourcing strategies, managing supplier relationships, optimizing inventory levels, supporting production continuity, and driving continuous improvement across the procurement function.
The Purchasing Manager works closely with Operations, Planning, Engineering, Quality, Finance, and Supply Chain teams to ensure compliance with industry regulations, contractual requirements, and company objectives.
Key Responsibilities
- Develop and implement procurement strategies aligned with business and operational objectives.
- Lead all purchasing activities for direct and indirect materials, subcontracting services, and capital equipment.
- Manage supplier selection, qualification, negotiations, and long-term supplier relationships.
- Negotiate pricing, contracts, payment terms, and delivery schedules to achieve cost savings and operational efficiency.
- Ensure material availability to support production schedules while maintaining optimal inventory levels.
- Monitor supplier performance, including quality, delivery, responsiveness, and cost competitiveness.
- Collaborate with Engineering and Quality departments during new product introductions and supplier qualification processes.
- Identify and mitigate supply chain risks and develop contingency sourcing plans.
- Ensure compliance with aerospace and defense industry standards, contractual obligations, and company procurement policies.
- Lead purchasing process improvements and support digitalization initiatives within ERP systems.
- Prepare periodic procurement reports and executive management presentations.
- Develop, monitor, analyze, and present procurement KPIs to the VP of Operations and senior management.
- Drive corrective actions and continuous improvement initiatives based on KPI performance.
- Manage, mentor, and develop the purchasing team.
Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)
- On-Time Delivery (OTD) from suppliers
- Supplier Lead Time Performance
- Purchase Price Variance (PPV)
- Annual Cost Savings / Cost Reduction
- Supplier Quality Performance (PPM / NCR Rate)
- Inventory Turnover
- Material Availability for Production
- Purchase Order Cycle Time
- Procurement Budget Performance
- Supplier On-Time Response Rate
- Strategic Supplier Development Progress
- Procurement Compliance Rate
- Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Industrial Engineering, Business Administration, Logistics, or a related field.
- Master's degree – an advantage.
- Professional procurement certification (CIPS, CPSM, APICS, etc.) – an advantage.
- Minimum 5–8 years of purchasing/procurement experience within a manufacturing environment.
- At least 3 years of managerial experience leading procurement teams.
- Experience in the aerospace, defense, or other highly regulated manufacturing industries is highly preferred.
- Proven experience in supplier negotiations and strategic sourcing.
- Experience working with ERP systems (SAP, Priority, Oracle, or equivalent).
- Strong analytical and reporting capabilities.
Skills & Competencies
- Excellent negotiation and supplier management skills.
- Strong analytical and financial acumen.
- Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel and PowerPoint.
- Experience preparing management reports and executive KPI presentations.
- Leadership and people management skills.
- Excellent planning, organizational, and problem-solving abilities.
- Ability to work under pressure in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.
- Strong communication and presentation skills.
- Fluent English (written and spoken).
Skills Required
- Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Industrial Engineering, Business Administration, Logistics, or related field.
- Master's degree
- Professional procurement certification (CIPS, CPSM, APICS, etc.)
- Minimum 5-8 years purchasing/procurement experience within a manufacturing environment.
- At least 3 years of managerial experience leading procurement teams.
- Experience in the aerospace, defense, or other highly regulated manufacturing industries.
- Proven experience in supplier negotiations and strategic sourcing.
- Experience working with ERP systems (SAP, Priority, Oracle, or equivalent).
- Strong analytical and reporting capabilities.
- Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel.
- Advanced proficiency in Microsoft PowerPoint.
- Leadership and people management skills.
- Strong communication and presentation skills.
- Fluent English (written and spoken).
- Ability to work under pressure in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.
What We Do
BIRD Aerosystems: Where Innovation Meets Performance BIRD Aerosystems is a leading global provider of innovative airborne solutions that protect our customers and ensure the security of their assets. Founded in 2001, privately-owned and based in Israel, BIRD develops and markets advanced airborne missile protection systems and airborne surveillance, information and observation solutions. Leveraging deep in-house technical know-how, BIRD also provides world-class aviation logistics services to large-scale commercial and governmental customers. BIRD provides end-to-end, turnkey solutions. From operational analysis, system design, integration and installation through ground and flight testing and including system certification – BIRD is truly a one-stop-shop. BIRD has the scope and breadth of experience to contend with the most complex operational requirements and design challenges, while still providing personalized attention to each customer. Solutions from BIRD are in wide scale, long-term use by some of the world’s largest commercial, governmental, military, and transnational organizations – including NATO forces, UN Air Operations, the US Government, Airbus and other major aircraft manufacturers, and many others.
