Buyer - Engine Programs

Columbia Helicopters, Inc.; Aurora (OR); On-site; USD 65,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

Columbia Helicopters in the United States is seeking a Buyer – Engine Programs to plan, source, purchase, and expedite parts for CT-58, T-55, and 5512 engine programs. You will collaborate with maintenance, production, engineering, quality, and program teams to ensure on-time material availability.

The role emphasizes accurate procurement data in ERP/MRP, supplier relationships, risk management, and cost control, while complying with aviation standards and company procedures.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• Associate or bachelor’s degree in supply chain, business, aviation maintenance, operations, or related field preferred.
• Minimum of 3 years of experience in purchasing, procurement, supply chain, inventory control, production planning, aviation maintenance, or related technical environment.
• Prior experience purchasing aircraft engine parts, gas turbine engine components, repair services, or outside processing.
• Experience supporting aviation, aerospace, defense, MRO, manufacturing, or highly regulated technical operations preferred.
• Working knowledge of purchase orders, RFQs, supplier follow-up, lead-time management, inventory control, and material planning.

Responsibilities

• Own purchasing execution for assigned CT-58, T-55, and 5512 engine program requirements, including parts, components, consumables, tooling, repair services, outside processing, and related support items.
• Review demand signals, work orders, forecasts, inventory levels, minimum and maximum settings, and program schedules to ensure timely placement of purchase orders.
• Issue RFQs, evaluate supplier quotations, negotiate pricing, lead times, terms, and delivery commitments, and award purchase orders in alignment with company policies and approval requirements.
• Monitor open purchase orders, expedite critical shortages, resolve delivery issues, and communicate risks early to internal stakeholders.
• Partner with maintenance, production, engineering, quality, and program teams to clarify technical requirements, confirm approved sources, resolve nonconformances, and support engine program priorities.
• Maintain accurate procurement data in the ERP/MRP system, including supplier information, pricing, lead times, promise dates, order notes, and delivery status.

Skills

Purchasing

Sourcing

Supplier coordination

Communication

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Associate or bachelor’s degree preferred in supply chain, business, aviation maintenance, operations, or related field

Tools

ERP/MRP systems

Microsoft Excel

Outlook

Job description

About this position

For over 65 years, Columbia Helicopters has been a trusted provider of heavy-lift helicopter services. We create new aircraft, fly heavy-lift helicopters around the world, and provide maintenance support to ensure you are mission-ready for critical operations. If you are passionate about aviation, join our ColumbiaFamily!

The Buyer – Engine Programs is responsible for planning, sourcing, purchasing, expediting, and supplier coordination for materials, parts, services, and outside processing required to support the CT-58, T-55, and 5512 engine programs. This role ensures the right material is available at the right time, at the right cost, and in compliance with customer, regulatory, quality, and program requirements.

The Buyer will serve as a key point of accountability between operations, maintenance, engineering, quality, program management, finance, and suppliers to protect schedule, reduce risk, control cost, and improve supplier performance across assigned engine programs.

WHAT YOU WILL DO

• Own purchasing execution for assigned CT-58, T-55, and 5512 engine program requirements, including parts, components, consumables, tooling, repair services, outside processing, and related support items.
• Review demand signals, work orders, forecasts, inventory levels, minimum and maximum settings, and program schedules to ensure timely placement of purchase orders.
• Issue RFQs, evaluate supplier quotations, negotiate pricing, lead times, terms, and delivery commitments, and award purchase orders in alignment with company policies and approval requirements.
• Monitor open purchase orders, expedite critical shortages, resolve delivery issues, and communicate risks early to internal stakeholders.
• Partner with maintenance, production, engineering, quality, and program teams to clarify technical requirements, confirm approved sources, resolve nonconformances, and support engine program priorities.
• Maintain accurate procurement data in the ERP/MRP system, including supplier information, pricing, lead times, promise dates, order notes, and delivery status.
• Develop and maintain strong supplier relationships, including regular follow-up on delivery performance, responsiveness, quality issues, and corrective actions.
• Identify supply chain risks, long-lead items, obsolete parts, single-source dependencies, and material constraints that may affect engine program execution.
• Support cost-reduction initiatives, alternate sourcing efforts, inventory optimization, and supplier performance improvement activities.
• Ensure purchasing activity complies with applicable company procedures, quality requirements, customer flow-downs, export control requirements, and aviation/aerospace standards.
• Coordinate with receiving, inspection, accounts payable, and suppliers to resolve receiving discrepancies, invoice issues, return material authorizations, warranty claims, and purchase order corrections.
• Provide regular status updates on material availability, shortages, supplier commitments, and procurement risks for the CT-58, T-55, and 5512 programs.

WHAT WE NEED FROM YOU

• High school diploma or equivalent required; associate or bachelor’s degree in supply chain, business, aviation maintenance, operations, or a related field preferred.
• Minimum of 3 years of experience in purchasing, procurement, supply chain, inventory control, production planning, aviation maintenance, or a related technical environment.
• Prior experience purchasing aircraft engine parts, gas turbine engine components, repair services, or outside processing.
• Experience supporting aviation, aerospace, defense, MRO, manufacturing, or highly regulated technical operations preferred.
• Working knowledge of purchase orders, RFQs, supplier follow-up, lead-time management, inventory control, and material planning.
• Ability to read and interpret part numbers, bills of material, technical requirements, purchase specifications, and supplier documentation.
• Strong proficiency with ERP/MRP systems and Microsoft Office applications, especially Excel and Outlook.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities, follow up consistently, and communicate clearly with internal teams and external suppliers.

WHAT YOU WILL LOVE ABOUT WORKING HERE:

At Columbia, we believe great people do their best work when they feel supported, challenged, and valued. We’re more than a workplace, we’re a team built on trust, collaboration, and a shared commitment to doing meaningful work.

We offer a comprehensive benefits package designed to support your health, financial wellness, and work–life balance. Depending on your role, this may include medical, dental, and vision coverage, retirement plans with company contributions, paid time off, and employee wellness resources.

We invest in our people. From training and development opportunities to internal mobility and leadership support, Columbia encourages continuous learning and long-term career growth.

Purpose-Driven Culture

Your work matters here. Every role contributes to our broader mission, and we believe in empowering employees to make an impact, share ideas, and help shape the future of the company.

A Team That Has Your Back

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities

The contractor will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor’s legal duty to furnish information. 41 CFR 60-1.35(c)

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