Buyer IV

Austal USA; Mobile (AL); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Austal USA, a leading shipbuilder in Mobile, AL, seeks a seasoned Purchasing professional to lead a buying desk within the Purchasing Department. You will quote, negotiate, and issue purchase orders for raw materials, parts, and services, balancing cost, delivery, and quality while ensuring compliance with supply chain policies.

Day‑to‑day duties include escalating supplier performance issues, coordinating with material and production planning, and guiding junior buyers as needed in a

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Business or related field; 10+ years purchasing experience preferred.
• Experience with defense industry procurement and supplier management is desirable.
• Familiarity with FAR/DFARS/ITAR and government contracting processes.
• ERP/MRP proficiency and strong data analysis capabilities.

Responsibilities

• Quoting, negotiating, and issuing purchase orders up to authorized limits for materials and services.
• Balance price, delivery, quality, and service while rationalizing suppliers.
• Maintain open order reports, track due dates, and coordinate with planning and logistics.
• Develop supplier scorecards and assist with supplier audits and corrective actions.
• Represent Austal in supplier interactions and support cross‑functional teams.

Skills

Structured thinking

High‑risk purchasing

MS Office

ERP/MRP systems

Supply chain knowledge

Education

Bachelor's degree in Business

10 years purchasing experience

Tools

IFS ERP

BAAN

SAP

JD Edwards

Oracle

Job description

REPORTS TO:

Manager SCM Compliance & Small Business Liaison

SUPERVISES:

N/A

GENERAL PURPOSE AND SCOPE:

As a member of the Supply Chain group at Austal, will play a role in the performance and success of the function and the group. Will ensure plant needs and requirements are met while maintaining a high level of customer service. Will have day to day responsibility for a buying desk in a specific commodity group within the Purchasing Department. Transactions at this level will be variable, but more complex than routine, and involve significant high dollar negotiations and high levels of risk with moderate volume.

AUTHORITIES/RESPONSIBILITIES

Quoting and negotiating (when applicable) and issuing purchase orders up to authorized limits for raw materials, parts, subassemblies, finished goods, MRO materials, equipment, tooling, supplies and/or services from suppliers via purchase requisitions or MRP messages. Following up with requestors and end users regarding purchase order due dates and status when inquiries are made. Following traffic and logistics guidelines and minimizing the use of expedited shipping services where/when possible. Skillfully balancing the price, delivery, quality, service and value tradeoffs and rationalizing the supply base on the given buying desk. Following all supply chain policies, procedures, guidelines and instructions including those regarding the procurement of materials and particularly the ability to keep confidential information regarding all purchasing or commodity strategies confidential (and in some cases, within the supply chain function exclusively). Running and maintaining the buying desk’s purchase requisition or MRP open order, expedite, de‑expedite, and past due reports. Working in cooperation with material planning, production planning and logistics to reduce part inventory, obsolete and slow‑moving materials and handle schedule changes. Striving to increase understanding of the services, material and manufacturing processes associated with the assigned buying desk. Providing assistance to related departments when applicable to the assigned buying desk (e.g., supplier invoice discrepancies with Accounting, non‑conforming material and supplier root cause and corrective actions with Quality, etc.). Representing the supplier inside Austal. Maintaining close communication with supplier account and customer service personnel, and management levels if necessary, so as to minimize risk due to supplier capacity issues, plant shutdowns, and other day to day disruptions that may affect Austal and/or open purchase orders. Negotiating, or assisting in the negotiation of, short‑ and long‑term agreements for raw materials, parts, subassemblies, finished goods, MRO materials, equipment, tooling, supplies and/or services from suppliers on the assigned buying desk. Assisting with, or conducting, supplier site audits and investigations. Assisting with supplier metrics and advising suppliers of their performance. Maintaining professional relationships with suppliers on the assigned buying desk even in difficult times. Knowing when to escape issues to, or ask for help from, the next level of management in the Supply Chain function. Assisting in the gathering of information to evaluate the financial stability, technical capability, process control, capacity and continuous improvement techniques of suppliers on the assigned buying desk when required. Conducting business in accordance with Austal policies, procedures and business ethics guidelines. Providing input to, and report outs on, commodity strategies and related projects. Reviewing statements of work when required. Maintaining the Buyer scorecard for the assigned buying desk to assist with cost savings/cost avoidance reporting. Purchasing in both MRP and project/purchase requisition‑oriented type environments under Contractor Purchasing System Review guidelines. Assisting lower or higher‑level Buyers when required. Working under pressure and in some cases, tight deadlines. Working under varying degrees of supervision. Participating in plant continuous improvement, Lean Manufacturing, 5S, and other initiatives involving the Supply Chain function or assigned buying desk when appropriate. Being the main contact point for outside departments (e.g., Engineering, Accounting, etc.) as well as suppliers. Participating in price book activities. Other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS/KNOWLEDGE/EXPERIENCE

Bachelor’s degree in Business or closely related field required or at least 10 years purchasing experience, preferably in the defense industry; Master’s degree in Business or closely related field preferred; certifications preferred: A.P.P., C.P.M., CPSM, CSCP, CPIM 6+ years purchasing experience in the commodity area required; preferably in a Contractor Purchasing System Review- U.S. defense environment. Preferred work experience includes performing: Material and service sourcing activities (quoting, analyzing, negotiating, reporting and purchase order placement); supplier rationalization activities (adding/removing suppliers and familiarity with Approved Supplier Lists, Bid Lists, and small business requirements); order follow‑up activities (expediting, de‑expediting and statusing); ERP system familiarity; discrepancy resolution activities (invoice discrepancies, non‑conforming material cases and repair/rework material authorizations); data mining; market analysis; dealing with traffic, routing instructions, and interaction with the laws governing direct and indirect purchasing; and writing service contracts. Experience working in materials management, material planning, and/or production planning positions is desired. Experience leading projects.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

The ability to utilize structured thought processes, anticipate consequences, rationalize information and articulate understanding of purchasing strategy and vision. The ability to manage high risk purchasing activity with confidence. Microsoft Office at the intermediate skill level: Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Internet Explorer, Outlook; Access a plus. ERP/MRP: IFS preferred; others like BAAN, SAP, JD Edwards and Oracle are acceptable. General understanding of how to read blueprints/drawings, interpret specifications and review statements of work. General understanding of the Uniform Commercial Code, U.S. Government FAR, DFARS and ITAR requirements. General understanding of enterprise quality system functionality (e.g., ISO 9000, AS9100, TS16949, etc.). General understanding of ERP systems and MRP logic. Significant understanding of the material, services and manufacturing processes associated with the assigned buying desk.

DIRECTION EXERCISED

Provide training and guidance for Buyers I, II and III. May be expected to lead or direct the work of individuals and teams under the guidance of department management.

DISCRETION EXERCISED

Incumbent will be expected to demonstrate creativity and latitude in order to meet goals and objectives established. Will require the capacity to self‑direct and reprioritize activity in order to support business needs and meet deadlines. May be assigned discretionary authority to provide work direction and constructive feedback for other employees within the department. May be expected to provide input to management on the performance of team members that may affect employment actions.

LIAISES WITH

• Company- Buyer I, Buyer II, Buyer III, Buyer IV, Buyer V, Commodity Purchasing Manager, Sr. Purchasing Manager, Director Supply Chain and Logistics, Senior Management, Materials Program Managers, Material program staff, Senior Logistics Manager, Traffic Lead, Compliance Coordinator (Supply Chain), document control and other administrative department personnel.


• External- Suppliers.

MACHINES AND EQUIPMENT INVOLVED

• Basic office machines, PC, copier\\scanner, etc.

HOURS OF WORK

40 hours per week with additional time as required or necessary.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Must be able to tour all vessels and work sites at Austal USA. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand, walk, use hands to manipulate, handle, or feel, reach with hands and arms and talk or hear. The employee will also be required to sit for extended periods of time in an office setting. Specific physical requirements include the following: Must have the occasional ability to bend, squat, stoop, crawl, and kneel. Perform prolonged standing. Ability to turn head from side to side and about the vertical axis. Ability to turn body at the waist from side to side and about the vertical axis. Lift/push/pull up to 20lbs on an occasional basis. Must have the ability to occasionally climb in an unrestrained safe manner (climbing as a minimum includes stairs, scaffolding, ladders, and ramps). Demonstrate good balance while working on uneven surfaces and maneuvering obstacles. Ability to utilize personal protective equipment (hard hat, safety glasses, steel‑toes shoes, etc.) safely per OSHA standards. Ability to enter into confined spaces within the ships under construction (any space below main deck could be considered a confined space). Able to respond to verbal and audible sounds/commands. Able to utilize adequate visual skills. Able to hear emergency alarm systems and be able to wear authorized hearing protection. Must be able to walk 100+ yards at a time without assistance.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. While performing the duties of this job, the employee may be exposed to humid conditions, strong smells, bright flashing lights, moving mechanical parts, high precarious places, outside weather conditions, extreme heat and cold conditions. The employee is occasionally exposed, while in production areas, to fumes and/or airborne particles at or below the PEL, toxic or caustic chemicals. While the noise level in the normal office work environment is moderate, it can be very loud in the production areas (+90 dB). According to ADAAA, reasonable accommodations may be made on a case‑by‑case basis to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job.

SAFETY

Must comply with company, federal, state, and local safety and environmental rules and regulations while performing daily job tasks.

ADDITIONAL GUIDELINES

• Should have the ability to obtain a US Government Security Clearance if required.

CANDIDATE COMPENSATION AND ELIGIBILITY

Candidates must meet the following employment eligibility guidelines to be considered for employment with Austal USA: 18 years of age or older. Able to provide proof of US person status. No felony convictions of theft/deception or violent crimes within seven years from disposition date. No felony convictions of drug crimes within three years from disposition date. Willing to submit to a drug screen. Willing to submit to a background check. Movement to the next position in the job class requires, among other things: The department having an opening and funding available to fill it. Meeting the experience requirements. Meeting the education requirements. Passing an in‑person interview. Having a satisfactory rating on the last two performance reviews.

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT COMMITMENT

Any qualified individual with a disability who is having difficulty in completing an application because of incompatible technology or other disability‑related application issues may contact us at the following phone number for assistance: 251-445-1932. Austal’s commitment to equal employment opportunity applies at all levels of employment, in all job titles, including the executive level, and to all employment actions, including but not limited to decisions concerning recruitment, hiring, training, and promotion. Austal USA is a ship manufacturer headquartered in Mobile, Ala., with service centers in San Diego and Singapore and a technology center in Charlottesville, Va. With the most modern steel panel line in the shipbuilding industry, Austal USA’s facility is capable of supporting the manufacture of both aluminum and steel ships. Austal USA leverages a moving module production line and strict adherence to lean manufacturing principles to consistently deliver on‑schedule and on‑budget. Austal USA is currently under contract for several programs, including the U.S. Coast Guard’s Heritage‑class Offshore Patrol Cutter (OPC), the TAGOS‑25 ocean surveillance ships, the Spearhead‑class Expeditionary Fast Transport (EPF), the Navajo‑class Towing, Salvage and Rescue ships (T‑ATS), the Expeditionary Medical Ship (EMS), the Auxiliary Floating Dry Dock Medium (AFDM), and the Independence‑variant Littoral Combat Ship (LCS), and is supporting Navy unmanned vessel programs leveraging its advanced machinery control system. Austal USA’s service business provides global support to U.S. Navy, Military Sealift Command and other customers. Austal USA’s San Diego Service Center includes a waterfront facility that will have the capability to drydock small combatants and similar sized ships. Earning 23 safety excellence awards, Austal USA continues to be one of the safest shipyards in America.