Buyer / Purchaser

Skyeton; Fayetteville (AR); On-site; USD 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Skyeton Inc. is seeking a detail-oriented Buyer/Purchaser to support procurement for advanced unmanned aircraft systems. You will manage purchases, ensure on-time delivery, and collaborate with engineering and production teams to align with schedules and quality standards.

The role requires experience in aerospace materials, ERP/MRP systems, and strong negotiation skills to optimize cost, quality, and supplier reliability in a startup environment.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree preferred; equivalent purchasing experience may be considered.
• 3+ years of purchasing or procurement experience in manufacturing.
• Experience purchasing production materials in aerospace, aviation, defense, automotive, electronics, or other highly regulated environments.
• Experience with ERP/MRP systems.
• Strong Microsoft Excel skills.
• Knowledge of purchasing processes, inventory management, supplier management, and production planning.
• Excellent organizational and time management skills.
• Strong analytical, negotiation, and problem-solving abilities.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Procure raw materials, electronic components, machined parts, tooling, hardware, and production supplies to support manufacturing operations.
• Create, issue, and manage purchase orders in accordance with company purchasing policies.
• Monitor supplier acknowledgments, delivery schedules, and open purchase orders for on-time delivery.
• Expedite critical materials to minimize production disruptions.
• Maintain strong relationships with suppliers and negotiate pricing, lead times, payment terms, and delivery schedules.
• Identify and qualify new suppliers to improve cost, quality, and supply continuity.
• Collaborate with Engineering, Manufacturing, Quality, Logistics, and Program Management to support production and new product introductions.
• Evaluate supplier performance related to quality, delivery, responsiveness, and cost.
• Resolve supplier issues including shortages, quality concerns, delivery delays, invoice discrepancies, and returned materials.
• Support inventory optimization by balancing material availability with inventory investment.
• Assist in developing sourcing strategies to reduce costs while maintaining product quality and supplier reliability.
• Maintain accurate purchasing records and supplier documentation.
• Ensure purchasing activities comply with company policies, customer requirements, and applicable government regulations.
• Support supplier audits and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Participate in cost reduction projects and value engineering initiatives.
• Assist with import/export documentation and international sourcing activities when required.

Skills

Negotiation

Supplier management

Analytical thinking

Time management

Cross-functional collaboration

Detail oriented

Education

Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Business Administration, Operations Management, or related field

Tools

SAP

Oracle

Epicor

NetSuite

Rippling

Job description

About the role

Skyeton Inc. is seeking a detail-oriented and proactive Buyer/Purchaser to support the procurement of materials, components, equipment, and services required to manufacture advanced unmanned aircraft systems (UAS). This role is responsible for ensuring the timely acquisition of quality products at competitive prices while supporting production schedules, inventory objectives, supplier performance, and compliance with aerospace and defense industry requirements.

The ideal candidate has experience purchasing electronic components, machined parts, composites, aerospace hardware, and production materials in a fast-paced manufacturing environment and is comfortable working in a startup organization where flexibility, initiative, and continuous improvement are essential.

What you’ll do

• Procure raw materials, electronic components, machined parts, tooling, hardware, and production supplies to support manufacturing operations.
• Create, issue, and manage purchase orders in accordance with company purchasing policies.
• Monitor supplier acknowledgments, delivery schedules, and open purchase orders to ensure on-time delivery.
• Expedite critical materials to minimize production disruptions.
• Maintain strong relationships with suppliers and negotiate pricing, lead times, payment terms, and delivery schedules.
• Identify and qualify new suppliers to improve cost, quality, and supply continuity.
• Collaborate with Engineering, Manufacturing, Quality, Logistics, and Program Management to support production and new product introductions.
• Evaluate supplier performance related to quality, delivery, responsiveness, and cost.
• Resolve supplier issues including shortages, quality concerns, delivery delays, invoice discrepancies, and returned materials.
• Support inventory optimization by balancing material availability with inventory investment.
• Assist in developing sourcing strategies to reduce costs while maintaining product quality and supplier reliability.
• Maintain accurate purchasing records and supplier documentation.
• Ensure purchasing activities comply with company policies, customer requirements, and applicable government regulations.
• Support supplier audits and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Participate in cost reduction projects and value engineering initiatives.
• Assist with import/export documentation and international sourcing activities when required.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management, Business Administration, Operations Management, or related field preferred. Equivalent purchasing experience may be considered.
• 3+ years of purchasing or procurement experience in manufacturing.
• Experience purchasing production materials in aerospace, aviation, defense, automotive, electronics, or other highly regulated manufacturing environments.
• Experience with ERP/MRP systems.
• Strong Microsoft Excel skills.
• Knowledge of purchasing processes, inventory management, supplier management, and production planning.
• Excellent organizational and time management skills.
• Strong analytical, negotiation, and problem-solving abilities.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

Preferred Qualifications

Experience with one or more of the following:

• Aerospace or UAV/UAS manufacturing
• AS9100 quality systems
• Government contracting
• FAR/DFARS purchasing requirements
• ITAR and Export Administration Regulations (EAR)
• International sourcing and logistics
• Electronic components procurement
• Composite materials
• CNC machining suppliers
• Aircraft hardware and fasteners
• Lean Manufacturing
• Supplier development
• Cost analysis and strategic sourcing
• Rippling, SAP, Oracle, Epicor, NetSuite, or similar ERP systems
• APICS, ISM, CPSM, or CPM certification

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Strong negotiation and supplier relationship management skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities while meeting aggressive production schedules.
• High attention to detail and accuracy.
• Strong business acumen and commercial judgment.
• Ability to analyze purchasing data and identify cost-saving opportunities.
• Self-motivated with excellent follow-through.
• Ability to work collaboratively in a cross-functional environment.
• Demonstrated integrity when handling confidential supplier and pricing information.
• Commitment to continuous improvement and operational excellence.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to sit for extended periods while working on a computer.
• Occasionally lift up to 25 pounds.
• Ability to walk throughout manufacturing and warehouse environments.
• Occasional domestic travel to supplier facilities or trade events may be required.

Security Requirements

Due to the nature of Skyeton’s business, applicants must be able to:

• Successfully complete a background investigation.
• Comply with all U.S. export control regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) and Export Administration Regulations (EAR).
• Be eligible to work on projects involving controlled technologies.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. Government security clearance is preferred but not required.

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

Performance in this role may be measured by:

• On-time supplier delivery performance
• Material availability to support production schedules
• Purchase price variance (PPV)
• Inventory turns and inventory accuracy
• Supplier quality performance
• Cost savings and cost avoidance initiatives
• Purchase order accuracy
• Supplier responsiveness and issue resolution
• Compliance with purchasing policies and export control requirements

Preferred Personal Characteristics

The successful candidate will demonstrate:

• Integrity and ethical decision-making.
• Strong sense of urgency and accountability.
• Excellent customer service mindset.
• Collaborative team player.
• Adaptability in a rapidly growing startup environment.
• Continuous improvement mindset.
• Strong attention to detail with excellent follow-through.

Why Join Skyeton?

At Skyeton Inc., you’ll play a critical role in building a resilient supply chain that supports the production of next-generation unmanned aircraft systems. You’ll work closely with engineering, manufacturing, and leadership teams to ensure critical materials are available to support innovative aerospace technologies serving defense, commercial, and government customers worldwide.