Buyer

Riverbend Energetics; Missouri; On-site; USD 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Benefits package

Professional development

Job summary

Riverbend Energetics is seeking a detail-oriented Buyer to join our Supply Chain team. You will procure raw materials, energetic components, and services essential to producing regulated defense products and will work cross-functionally with Engineering, Production, Quality, and Compliance to ensure on-time delivery and cost efficiency.

The role requires a Bachelor's in a related field or equivalent experience, up to 2 years in manufacturing procurement, and US citizenship or eligibility for

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Business Administration, or related field.
• Up to 2 years purchasing or procurement experience in manufacturing; new grads welcome.
• Proficiency with ERP systems and Microsoft Excel.
• Strong organizational skills to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Effective written and verbal communication; US citizen/person per ITAR; ability to obtain security clearance.

Responsibilities

• Execute purchase orders for raw materials, components, and services to support production schedules.
• Source and qualify new suppliers under ASL with QA coordination for audits and certifications.
• Manage supplier relationships for on-time delivery, pricing, and ITAR/DFARS compliance.
• Monitor orders, communicate risks, lead time changes, and shortages to stakeholders.
• Negotiate pricing/terms to maximize value while maintaining supply chain continuity.
• Maintain ERP records including pricing history, supplier docs, and PO status.
• Resolve receiving issues, invoice disputes, and supplier non-conformances with QA/AP.

Skills

Attention to detail

Strong communicator

Cross-functional collaboration

Ability to manage multiple priorities

Education

Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management or related field

Tools

ERP systems

Microsoft Excel

Job description

About The Role

Riverbend Energetics is seeking a detail-oriented and driven Buyer to join our Supply Chain team in support of our mission to deliver precision energetic components and CAD/PAD systems to the U.S. defense industry. In this role, you will manage the procurement of raw materials, components, and services critical to the manufacture of highly regulated defense products. You will work cross-functionally with Engineering, Production, Quality, and Compliance teams to ensure on-time delivery, cost efficiency, and full regulatory adherence across our supply base.

Riverbend Energetics is seeking a detail-oriented and driven Buyer to join our Supply Chain team in support of our mission to deliver precision energetic components and CAD/PAD systems to the U.S. defense industry. In this role, you will manage the procurement of raw materials, components, and services critical to the manufacture of highly regulated defense products. You will work cross-functionally with Engineering, Production, Quality, and Compliance teams to ensure on-time delivery, cost efficiency, and full regulatory adherence across our supply base.

Key Responsibilities

• Execute purchase orders for raw materials, energetic components, electronic assemblies, and indirect goods and services in support of production schedules and program requirements
• Source and qualify new suppliers in accordance with Riverbend's Approved Supplier List (ASL) process, including coordination with Quality for supplier audits and certifications
• Manage supplier relationships to ensure on-time delivery, competitive pricing, and compliance with applicable requirements including ITAR, AS9100, and energetics-specific handling standards
• Monitor open order reports and proactively communicate supply risks, lead time changes, and shortages to Planning, Production, and Program Management stakeholders
• Negotiate pricing, lead times, and terms and conditions with suppliers to achieve best value while maintaining supply chain continuity
• Maintain accurate and complete procurement records in the ERP system, including pricing history, supplier documentation, and purchase order status
• Support resolution of receiving discrepancies, invoice disputes, and supplier non-conformances in coordination with Quality Assurance and Accounts Payable

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor\'s degree in Supply Chain Management, Business Administration, or a related field, or equivalent professional experience
• Up to 2 years of purchasing or procurement experience in a manufacturing environment; recent graduates with relevant coursework, internships, or co-op experience are encouraged to apply
• Proficiency with ERP systems and Microsoft Office Suite, particularly Excel
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment
• Effective written and verbal communication skills for use with both internal stakeholders and external suppliers
• Must be a U.S. citizen or U.S. person as defined by ITAR (22 CFR 120.15) due to access to export-controlled technical data and materials
• Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. security clearance if required by program needs

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in defense, aerospace, or other highly regulated manufacturing industries
• Familiarity with ITAR, EAR, and FAR/DFARS procurement regulations and their application to purchasing activities
• Experience procuring pyrotechnic, explosive, or other hazardous materials in compliance with ATF and DOT regulations
• APICS CPIM, ISM CPSM, or other recognized supply chain certification
• Experience with supplier qualification, development, and performance management programs
• Familiarity with AS9100 or equivalent quality management system requirements

What We Offer

• Competitive salary and benefits package
• Meaningful work supporting critical U.S. defense programs with direct impact on warfighter readiness and national security
• A collaborative, safety-first culture within a specialized and growing organization where your contributions are visible and valued
• Professional development support, including supply chain certification sponsorship and opportunities for career advancement within an expanding defense manufacturing company

Key Requirements

• Regulatory Awareness in Defense Procurement: Riverbend operates in one of the most tightly regulated manufacturing environments possible — energetics for defense. A buyer who mishandles ITAR, ATF, FAR/DFARS, or DOT compliance requirements doesn\'t just create cost problems; they create legal liability, program shutdowns, and potential criminal exposure. Even at the entry level, this buyer will be touching export-controlled materials and documentation daily.
• Proactive Supply Risk Communication: In energetics manufacturing, a single missing component can halt a production line building safety-critical defense systems. At a 150-person company, there is no large buffer team to absorb silent failures — this buyer\'s ability to spot and escalate supply risks early directly determines whether Riverbend meets its program commitments to the DoD. Stakeholders across Planning, Production, and Program Management depend on timely, accurate signals.
• ERP Discipline and Data Accuracy: Riverbend\'s procurement records serve as the source of truth for pricing history, supplier compliance documentation, and order status across Engineering, Quality, Finance, and Production. In a small defense contractor under potential audit scrutiny from the DoD or DCSA, incomplete or inaccurate ERP records are not an administrative inconvenience — they are a contractual and compliance liability. A buyer who treats data entry as secondary will create downstream problems across every function.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration in a Technical Environment: This buyer will not work in isolation — they sit at the intersection of Engineering, Quality, Production, Compliance, and Finance. At a 150-person company, relationships are direct and decisions move fast. A buyer who can\'t translate supplier technical limitations into terms Engineering understands, or who alienates Quality when resolving non-conformances, will create friction that slows programs. The ability to collaborate without authority across technical functions is essential.
• Supplier Negotiation with Long-Term Relationship Mindset: Riverbend sources materials for safety-critical energetic systems where the supply base is inherently narrow — there are very few qualified suppliers for pyrotechnic components, energetic initiators, or specialized CAD/PAD hardware. A buyer who negotiates aggressively without regard for relationship continuity can burn a supplier Riverbend has no alternative for. The best candidate understands how to achieve best value while protecting the long-term supply chain integrity that a niche defense manufacturer depends on.

About Riverbend Energetics

Riverbend Energetics is a defense and industrial manufacturer based in Alton, IL. We develop and produce energetic materials and specialty munitions for U.S. defense and allied customers. Our mission-critical work demands precision, safety, and a commitment to excellence.