Buyer

Mohr Talent; Columbus (MS); On-site; USD 80,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

MOHR Talent in Columbus, Mississippi is seeking a Senior Buyer to own strategic sourcing for aerospace and defense programs. You will lead supplier negotiations, manage the procurement lifecycle, and partner with Engineering, Quality, Production, and Logistics to ensure material availability and supplier performance.

The role emphasizes cost reduction, risk management, and governance of FAR/DFARS/ITAR requirements, with direct ownership over critical supplier relationships in a regulated

Qualifications

• 5+ years of purchasing, procurement, or strategic sourcing experience in aerospace/defense.
• Experience managing complex, engineered materials and components.
• Knowledge of FAR, DFARS, ITAR requirements preferred.

Responsibilities

• Develop strategic sourcing plans for materials, components, and subassemblies.
• Lead supplier negotiations on pricing, contracts, and lead times.
• Manage RFQs, supplier selection, PO administration, and expediting.
• Monitor supplier performance and address delivery or quality issues.
• Collaborate with Engineering, Quality, Production, and Logistics.

Skills

Strategic sourcing

Supplier negotiations

Cost reduction

Procurement lifecycle

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management

APICS CPSM/CPIM

Tools

SAP

Oracle

Job description

Buyer

Columbus, Mississippi Direct Hire $80000 /

Job Description

Senior Buyer – Aerospace & Defense

Location: Columbus, MS
Compensation: $80,000–$90,000
Employment Type: Full-Time | Permanent

About the Opportunity

We are seeking an experienced Senior Buyer to join a growing aerospace and defense manufacturing organization in Columbus, Mississippi.

This is an excellent opportunity for a procurement professional who wants more than a transactional purchasing role. You will have significant ownership over strategic sourcing, supplier negotiations, cost reduction, supplier performance, and material availability for complex, highly engineered products supporting demanding aerospace and defense programs.

You will work closely with Engineering, Quality, Production, and other key stakeholders to develop sourcing strategies, strengthen the supply base, reduce costs, mitigate risk, and ensure critical materials and components are available when needed.

What You’ll Do

• Develop and execute strategic sourcing plans for materials, components, subassemblies, and design-to-specification items.
• Identify, evaluate, qualify, and develop suppliers capable of meeting demanding quality, delivery, cost, and compliance requirements.
• Lead supplier negotiations involving pricing, contracts, lead times, terms, and commercial conditions.
• Drive measurable cost-reduction and cost-avoidance initiatives across assigned categories.
• Manage the complete procurement lifecycle, including RFQs, supplier selection, purchase orders, expediting, and order follow-up.
• Build strong relationships with key suppliers while holding them accountable for quality, delivery, cost, and responsiveness.
• Monitor supplier performance and work with suppliers and internal teams to resolve delivery, quality, or capacity issues.
• Partner directly with Engineering, Quality, Production, and Logistics to support production requirements and new or changing program needs.
• Help optimize inventory levels while reducing excess, shortages, and obsolescence.
• Maintain procurement documentation and records required for audits and regulatory compliance.
• Support purchasing activities governed by FAR, DFARS, ITAR, and other aerospace and defense requirements.
• Identify opportunities to improve procurement processes, supplier performance, and overall supply-chain efficiency.
• Provide guidance and mentorship to junior members of the purchasing team.

What We’re Looking For

• 5+ years of purchasing, procurement, or strategic sourcing experience, preferably within aerospace, defense, or another highly regulated manufacturing environment.
• Proven experience managing suppliers for complex or highly engineered materials and components.
• Demonstrated success negotiating with suppliers and delivering material or component cost reductions.
• Strong understanding of strategic sourcing, supplier management, RFQs, purchase orders, and contract negotiations.
• Knowledge of FAR, DFARS, and ITAR requirements is strongly preferred.
• Experience working with ERP/MRP systems such as SAP, Oracle, or comparable platforms.
• Ability to work effectively with Engineering, Quality, Manufacturing, and other cross‑functional teams.
• Strong analytical, negotiation, communication, and problem-solving skills.
• Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management, Business, Engineering, or a related discipline preferred.
• APICS or ISM certifications such as CPSM or CPIM are a plus.

Why This Opportunity?

This role offers the chance to have a direct impact on both the supply chain and the success of complex aerospace and defense programs.

You’ll have the opportunity to:

• Take ownership of important supplier relationships and sourcing decisions.
• Lead negotiations instead of simply processing purchase orders.
• Drive visible cost savings and supplier performance improvements.
• Work directly with Engineering, Quality, and Manufacturing.
• Source highly engineered products in a challenging, regulated environment.
• Help improve and strengthen the procurement organization as the business grows.
• Build deeper experience within the aerospace and defense industry.

If you are a strategic, commercially minded Senior Buyer who enjoys negotiating, developing suppliers, solving supply-chain challenges, and finding meaningful cost-reduction opportunities, we’d like to hear from you.

#LI-KR1

Senior Buyer – Aerospace & Defense

Location: Columbus, MS
Compensation: $80,000–$90,000
Employment Type: Full-Time | Permanent

About the Opportunity

We are seeking an experienced Senior Buyer to join a growing aerospace and defense manufacturing organization in Columbus, Mississippi.

This is an excellent opportunity for a procurement professional who wants more than a transactional purchasing role. You will have significant ownership over strategic sourcing, supplier negotiations, cost reduction, supplier performance, and material availability for complex, highly engineered products supporting demanding aerospace and defense programs.

You will work closely with Engineering, Quality, Production, and other key stakeholders to develop sourcing strategies, strengthen the supply base, reduce costs, mitigate risk, and ensure critical materials and components are available when needed.

What You’ll Do

• Develop and execute strategic sourcing plans for materials, components, subassemblies, and design‑to‑specification items.
• Identify, evaluate, qualify, and develop suppliers capable of meeting demanding quality, delivery, cost, and compliance requirements.
• Lead supplier negotiations involving pricing, contracts, lead times, terms, and commercial conditions.
• Drive measurable cost‑reduction and cost‑avoidance initiatives across assigned categories.
• Manage the complete procurement lifecycle, including RFQs, supplier selection, purchase orders, expediting, and order follow‑up.
• Build strong relationships with key suppliers while holding them accountable for quality, delivery, cost, and responsiveness.
• Monitor supplier performance and work with suppliers and internal teams to resolve delivery, quality, or capacity issues.
• Partner directly with Engineering, Quality, Production, and Logistics to support production requirements and new or changing program needs.
• Help optimize inventory levels while reducing excess, shortages, and obsolescence.
• Maintain procurement documentation and records required for audits and regulatory compliance.
• Support purchasing activities governed by FAR, DFARS, ITAR, and other aerospace and defense requirements.
• Identify opportunities to improve procurement processes, supplier performance, and overall supply‑chain efficiency.
• Provide guidance and mentorship to junior members of the purchasing team.

What We’re Looking For

• 5+ years of purchasing, procurement, or strategic sourcing experience, preferable within aerospace, defense, or another highly regulated manufacturing environment.
• Proven experience managing suppliers for complex or highly engineered materials and components.
• Demonstrated success negotiating with suppliers and delivering material or component cost reductions.
• Strong understanding of strategic sourcing, supplier management, RFQs, purchase orders, and contract negotiations.
• Knowledge of FAR, DFARS, and ITAR requirements is strongly preferred.
• Experience working with ERP/MRP systems such as SAP, Oracle, or comparable platforms.
• Ability to work effectively with Engineering, Quality, Manufacturing, and other cross‑functional teams.
• Strong analytical, negotiation, communication, and problem‑solving skills.
• Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management, Business, Engineering, or a related discipline preferred.
• APICS or ISM certifications such as CPSM or CPIM are a plus.

Why This Opportunity?

This role offers the chance to have a direct impact on both the supply chain and the success of complex aerospace and defense programs.

You’ll have the opportunity to:

• Take ownership of important supplier relationships and sourcing decisions.
• Lead negotiations instead of simply processing purchase orders.
• Drive visible cost savings and supplier performance improvements.
• Work directly with Engineering, Quality, and Manufacturing.
• Source highly engineered products in a challenging, regulated environment.
• Help improve and strengthen the procurement organization as the business grows.
• Build deeper experience within the aerospace and defense industry.

If you are a strategic, commercially minded Senior Buyer who enjoys negotiating, developing suppliers, solving supply‑chain challenges, and finding meaningful cost‑reduction opportunities, we’d like to hear from you.

#LI-KR1

MOHR Talent is an equal‑opportunity employer and complies with all applicable federal, state, and local nondiscrimination laws. We provide equal employment opportunities regardless of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, military/veteran status, or any other protected status. If you believe you have been discriminated against or have concerns about our compliance, please contact our Human Resources department at [e-mail]

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Job Summary

Published: 8/16/2026

Type: Direct Hire

Location: Columbus, Mississippi

Category: Procurement / Purchasing

At MOHR Talent, your progress is our passion. We are a national, minority‑owned firm committed to empowering diverse talent. Our team provides personalized, growth‑driven solutions whether you are looking for a new career move or eager to drive your enterprise further.

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