Buyer - Engine Programs

Columbia Helicopters; Aurora (OR); On-site; USD 75,000 - 105,000; Full time

Job summary

Columbia Helicopters is seeking a Buyer for Engine Programs to plan, source, purchase, and expedite materials and services for CT-58, T-55, and 5512 engine programs. You will coordinate with operations, maintenance, and suppliers to protect schedules and control costs.

The role requires a 3+ year background in aviation procurement, ERP/MRP proficiency, and strong Excel/Outlook skills, with a focus on compliance with aerospace standards and quality requirements.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent required; associate or bachelor’s degree preferred in related field.
• Minimum of 3 years of experience in purchasing, procurement, supply chain, or related technical environment.
• Experience purchasing aircraft engine parts, gas turbine engine components, repair services, or outside processing preferred.

Responsibilities

• Own purchasing execution for CT-58, T-55, and 5512 engine program requirements, including parts, consumables, tooling, and services.
• Review demand signals, work orders, forecasts, and program schedules to ensure timely PO placement.
• Issue RFQs, evaluate quotations, negotiate pricing, lead times, terms, and delivery commitments.
• Monitor open purchase orders, expedite critical shortages, resolve delivery issues, and communicate risks to stakeholders.
• Coordinate with maintenance, production, engineering, quality, and program teams to clarify technical requirements and sources.
• Maintain procurement data in ERP/MRP with supplier info, pricing, lead times, and delivery status.
• Develop and maintain supplier relationships with regular follow-up on delivery, quality, and corrective actions.
• Identify supply chain risks, long-lead items, obsolete parts, and single-source dependencies affecting programs.
• Support cost-reduction initiatives, alternate sourcing, inventory optimization, and supplier performance improvement.
• Ensure purchasing activity complies with procedures, quality requirements, customer flow-downs, export controls, and aerospace standards.
• Coordinate with receiving, inspection, accounts payable, and suppliers to resolve discrepancies and invoice issues.
• Provide regular status updates on material availability, shortages, supplier commitments, and procurement risks.

Skills

Communication

Multitasking

Follow-up

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Associate or bachelor’s degree in supply chain or related field preferred

Tools

ERP/MRP systems

Microsoft Excel

Microsoft Outlook

Job description

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

We foster a collaborative, inclusive environment where people are respected, encouraged, and supported. You’ll work alongside talented teammates who care about doing great work, and doing it together.

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)