Manufacturing, Production and Procurement (MPP) - Buyer

AVT Simulation; Florida; On-site; USD 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

AVT Simulation, an Orlando-based systems integration and modeling company, seeks a Buyer to source COTS and non-COTS parts and manage supplier relationships. You’ll drive procurement from sourcing through PO placement to receipt, addressing delays, quality issues, and RMAs to keep production on schedule.

You will evaluate supplier capabilities, review drawings and BOMs, negotiate terms, and track POs in the MRP system, contributing to cost reductions and on-time delivery.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree preferred; equivalent experience will be considered.
• 1-4 years or 5-10 years of purchasing/procurement experience accepted.
• Experience purchasing both COTS and custom/non-COTS components.
• Must be computer literate with Costpoint ERP and MS Excel.
• Ability to read engineering drawings and specs.
• Strong supplier evaluation and problem-solving abilities.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a security clearance.
• Team-oriented and detail-focused.

Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain supplier relationships to assess capabilities, capacity, and lead times.
• Source and purchase COTS and non-COTS components based on requirements.
• Evaluate supplier capabilities to meet engineering requirements.
• Review drawings, BOMs, and technical docs to understand purchasing needs.
• Lead supplier selection and qualification activities.
• Request quotes, negotiate pricing and delivery, issue POs.
• Ensure POs reflect correct part numbers, revisions, and specs.
• Track open POs from placement to receipt in inventory.
• Coordinate with accounting to resolve purchasing documentation issues.
• Monitor supplier commitments and communicate delays/risks.
• Manage shortages, late deliveries, and other supplier issues.
• Initiate and track RMAs through disposition and closure.
• Maintain purchasing data in the MRP system.
• Identify cost-reduction and lead-time improvement opportunities.
• Adhere to purchasing policies and quality requirements.
• Report KPIs to leadership.

Skills

Costpoint ERP

MS Excel

MRP knowledge

Engineering drawings interpretation

Analytical skills

Communication skills

Problem solving

Organizational skills

Data interpretation

Team collaboration

Security clearance eligibility

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain, Business, Operations, or related field

Tools

Costpoint ERP

Jira

Vault

Job description

Job Summary

The Manufacturing, Production and Procurement (MPP)Buyer is responsible for sourcing and purchasing COTS (Commercial Off-the-Shelf) and non-COTS parts and materials while developing strong, strategic relationships with suppliers. This role requires a strong understanding of supplier capabilities, manufacturing processes, lead times, quality requirements, and commercial considerations to ensure the right materials are purchased at the right cost and delivered when needed.

The Buyer will manage purchases from initial sourcing and purchase order placement through receipt into inventory, proactively addressing delays, shortages, quality issues, and other supplier-related challenges. The Buyer will also manage and track RMAs (Return Material Authorizations) through resolution.

Responsibilities/Duties/Functions/Tasks

1. Develop and maintain strong relationships with suppliers to understand their capabilities, capacity, lead times, quality performance, and areas of expertise.
2. Source and purchase both COTS and non-COTS components, materials, and hardware based on engineering and program requirements.
3. Evaluate supplier capabilities to determine the best source for specific parts, including the ability to manufacture to engineering requirements.
4. Review engineering drawings, specifications, BOMs, and other technical documentation to understand purchasing requirements.
5. Lead supplier selection and qualification activities.
6. Request and evaluate supplier quotes, negotiate pricing and delivery schedules, and issue purchase orders.
7. Ensure purchase orders accurately reflect part numbers, revisions, quantities, specifications, delivery requirements, and applicable quality requirements.
8. Track open purchase orders from placement through receipt into inventory.
9. Work closely with accounting and finance teams to resolve purchasing related documentation and classification issues.
10. Proactively monitor supplier commitments and communicate potential delays or risks to internal stakeholders.
11. Manage supplier shortages, late deliveries, discrepancies, and other issues that could impact production or program schedules.
12. Initiate, manage, and track RMAs through return, supplier disposition, replacement/repair, and final receipt or closure.
13. Maintain accurate purchasing and supplier information within the MRP system.
14. Identify opportunities to reduce cost, improve lead times, increase supplier reliability, and mitigate supply chain risk.
15. Maintain clear documentation and follow purchasing policies, procedures, and applicable quality requirements.
16. Report regularly on KPIs to leadership.

Other Duties

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for the job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

Qualifications

Minimum Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain, Business, Operations, or a related field preferred; equivalent experience will be considered.
  1. 1-4 years
  2. 5-10 years
• Experience in purchasing, procurement, materials management, or supply chain.
• Experience purchasing both COTS and custom/non-COTS components.
• Must be extremely computer literate and agile, strong Costpoint ERP and MS Excel skills is a plus.
• Working knowledge of Material Requirements Planning logic a plus.
• Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings, specifications, tolerances, and related technical documentation.
• Ability to gain strong understanding of supplier capabilities and manufacturing processes.
• Must enjoy team collaboration and networking for problem resolution.
• Must be detail oriented with the ability to manage multiple tasks at the same time.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a security clearance is required.

Essential Mental Requirements

• Strong analytical skills with attention to details.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Problem solving and reasoning skills to assist with resolution of issues.
• Strong organizational skills.
• Capability to interpret data.

Essential 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.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools or controls; reach with hands and arms; talk or hear.

The employee must occasionally lift or move office products and supplies, up to 50 pounds.

Equipment/Software/Tools Used

• Computer, copier/printer/fax machine, filing cabinets, label maker and scanner.
• Basic computer operating system (Windows); Microsoft Office Applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Visio, Outlook, SharePoint). Costpoint ERP software. Jira & Vault a plus.

Our Heritage:

Founded in 1998 by an engineer, AVT Simulation is an Orlando-based, end-to-end systems integration and full-service modeling and simulation small business. Since our beginning, AVT's highly specialized staff of engineers has included some of the top leaders in the simulation industry. With an average of over 20 years of simulation experience, our dedicated staff provides specialized solutions for customers requiring on point solutions to complex problems.

AVT has always been a company that strives to make a positive difference in the lives we touch. These lives include our employees and their families, our partner companies and their employees, and ultimately the warfighters receiving our products and services. Our core values are so very important to us as a company. They guide us towards success. They make us a great company to work for and a strong partner to work with.

- People First
- Mission Excellence
- Do the Right Thing
- Commitment

People First is our first and most important core value because we firmly believe the success of AVT is directly related to supporting our employees. We have a lot of fun (with regular employee events and engagements), while still working hard to accomplish our mission of serving our military and the warfighter.

We’re looking for candidates that embody these core values, know how to have fun while working hard, and think they would thrive in an environment like ours. If you’re a self-motivated individual, then come join AVT. Come make your difference.

EOE - Equal Opportunity Employer-Vet/Disability

Qualified individuals with a disability have the right to request a reasonable accommodation. If you are unable or limited in your ability to use or access our careers website as a result of your disability, request a reasonable accommodation by visiting www.avtsim.com/careers and follow the instructions at the bottom.