Aerospace Procurement Lead – DFARS/ITAR Compliance

Ajax Defense, Inc.; Louisville (KY); Hybrid; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Ajax Defense, Inc. in Louisville, KY, is seeking a Procurement Manager to lead sourcing, purchasing, and supplier management for critical defense manufacturing programs.

You will ensure DFARS/ITAR compliance, manage supplier performance, and align materials with master production schedules, while guiding a team of procurement professionals.

This role requires strong negotiation, ERP experience, and the ability to collaborate across engineering, quality, and finance.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management, Business, or a related field, or equivalent experience.
• 5+ years of procurement/purchasing experience, ideally in manufacturing.
• Strong negotiation, analytical, and vendor management skills.
• ERP system experience (e.g., NAV/Business Central, or similar).
• Proficiency in Excel.

Responsibilities

• Identify, qualify, and manage suppliers for raw materials, tooling, MRO, and outside processing.
• Negotiate pricing, terms, and long-term agreements to control cost and mitigate supply risk.
• Maintain and monitor an Approved Supplier List; manage supplier scorecards for quality, delivery, and cost performance.
• Evaluate and onboard new suppliers with flow-down of FAR/DFARS, Nadcap/AS9100, or ITAR-related requirements where applicable.
• Manage the purchase order lifecycle from requisition through receipt, ensuring accurate ERP records.
• Monitor lead times, safety stock, and reorder points to prevent production disruptions.
• Resolve pricing discrepancies, delivery delays, and quality non-conformances with suppliers.
• Manage credit terms and work with finance on payment holds, credit limits, and vendor disputes.

Skills

Procurement experience

Negotiation

Analytical skills

Vendor management

ERP systems

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management, Business, or related field, or equivalent experience

Tools

NAV/Business Central

Job description

Ajax Defense, Inc. in Louisville, KY, is seeking a Procurement Manager to lead sourcing, purchasing, and supplier management for critical defense manufacturing programs.

You will ensure DFARS/ITAR compliance, manage supplier performance, and align materials with master production schedules, while guiding a team of procurement professionals.

This role requires strong negotiation, ERP experience, and the ability to collaborate across engineering, quality, and finance.