Project Buyer

Bimstore; Mebane (NC); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive pay based on experience

401(k) with company match

Paid holidays & PTO

Medical, dental, vision benefits

Job summary

AKG is seeking a Project Buyer to develop and execute sourcing strategies for projects in Railway, Defense, Energy, and other growth markets. You will collaborate with Sales, Engineering, and Operations to ensure supplier readiness through quotes, selections, and launches.

The role emphasizes building supplier networks, managing risks, and supporting faster, competitive quotations while ensuring delivery and compliance across the project lifecycle.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Business Administration, Engineering, Operations Management, or related field.
• Minimum of five (5) years of experience in Procurement, Supply Chain, Sourcing, Project Management, Engineering, Supplier Quality, Manufacturing, or related field.
• Experience managing suppliers, sourcing activities, and cross-functional projects within a manufacturing environment.
• Experience supporting customer-driven projects preferred.
• Experience within Railway, Defense, Aerospace, Energy, Automotive, Heavy Equipment, or other regulated industries preferred.

Responsibilities

• Strategic Supplier Development & Industry Engagement.
• Identify, evaluate, develop, and onboard suppliers capable of supporting current and future opportunities.
• Build and maintain relationships with suppliers, industry organizations, customers, and strategic partners.
• Partner with Commodity Managers to leverage existing suppliers while identifying and developing new ones when requirements exceed current capacity.
• Attend trade shows, exhibitions, supplier conferences, customer events, and industry networking opportunities.
• Develop and maintain supplier networks and market opportunities to strengthen AKG's position.
• Lead procurement-related activities for projects from award through launch and acceptance.
• Develop and maintain project procurement plans, supplier action lists, sourcing plans, and risk mitigation.

Skills

Sourcing & supplier management

Negotiation

RFX leadership

Project management

Cross-functional collaboration

Effective communication

Analytical/problem solving

Interpretation of specs/drawings

Education

Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management or related field

Job description

Description

At AKG, we believe great people build great products. We are looking for dependable, safety-focused team members who want to grow their skills and be part of a company that values teamwork, accountability, respect, and continuous improvement.

Description

At AKG, we believe great people build great products. We are looking for dependable, safety-focused team members who want to grow their skills and be part of a company that values teamwork, accountability, respect, and continuous improvement.

If you enjoy hands‑on work, problem‑solving, and working with precision equipment in a manufacturing environment, we encourage you to apply. We will train you...

What We Offer

• Competitive pay based on experience
• Shift differential opportunities
• GREAT Medical, dental, and vision benefits the first of the month after 30 days
• Company Paid Life Insurance, STD insurance and LTD insurance
• PTO and paid holidays
• 401(k) with amazing company match
• Training and advancement opportunities
• Stable manufacturing environment
• Employee recognition programs
• Team-oriented culture focused on safety and respect

What You’ll Do

The Project Buyer is responsible for developing and executing sourcing and supplier strategies for customer projects within Railway, Defense, Energy, and other strategic growth markets.

The role supports projects from opportunity assessment and quotation through supplier selection, project execution, production launch, and customer acceptance. Working closely with Sales, Engineering, Commodity Management, Supplier Quality, Operations, Material Planning, and Logistics, the Project Buyer ensures supplier capabilities, sourcing strategies, compliance requirements, and project risks are addressed before customer commitments are made.

The Project Buyer helps strengthen AKG’s competitive position by developing supplier networks, identifying new sourcing opportunities, building industry relationships, and supporting faster, more competitive quotations while ensuring successful project execution.

Key Responsibilities

• Strategic Supplier Development & Industry Engagement
• Identify, evaluate, develop, and onboard suppliers capable of supporting current and future business opportunities.
• Build and maintain relationships with suppliers, industry organizations, customers, and strategic business partners.
• Partner with Commodity Managers to leverage existing suppliers while identifying and developing new suppliers when project requirements exceed current supply chain capabilities.
• Attend trade shows, exhibitions, supplier conferences, customer events, and industry networking opportunities.
• Identify new suppliers, technologies, manufacturing capabilities, and market opportunities that strengthen AKG's competitive position.
• Develop and maintain a network of suppliers capable of supporting future customer programs before project requirements arise.
• Project Procurement Management
• Lead procurement‑related activities for assigned projects from project award through production launch and customer acceptance.
• Develop and maintain project procurement plans, supplier action lists, sourcing plans, and risk mitigation activities.
• Coordinate supplier deliverables, timing requirements, approvals, documentation, and project milestones.
• Monitor supplier readiness throughout the project lifecycle.
• Support prototype, validation, pre‑production, first article, and production launch activities.
• Ensure supplier activities support project schedules and customer commitments.
• Support engineering change implementation and supplier coordination activities.
• Customer Requirements, Compliance & Documentation
• Review customer specifications and ensure supplier‑related requirements are understood and implemented throughout the supply chain.
• Coordinate supplier compliance with customer‑specific requirements.
• Support activities related to:
• PPAP submissions
• First Article Inspection (FAI)
• Material and Process certifications
• Traceability requirements
• Supplier qualifications
• Customer documentation requirements
• Support supplier audits, customer audits, project reviews, and compliance activities.
• Risk Management & Continuous Improvement
• Identify supply chain risks during quotation, development, sourcing, and project execution phases.
• Develop mitigation plans and support recovery activities when risks arise.
• Support supplier diversification and second‑source initiatives.
• Monitor industry trends, customer expectations, regulatory developments, and emerging technologies.
• Develop market intelligence related to suppliers, technologies, manufacturing capabilities, and industry requirements.
• Support continuous improvement initiatives that improve sourcing effectiveness, supplier performance, project execution, and overall competitiveness.

What We’re Looking For

Education & Experience

• Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Business Administration, Engineering, Operations Management, or related field.
• Minimum of five (5) years of experience in Procurement, Supply Chain, Sourcing, Project Management, Engineering, Supplier Quality, Manufacturing, or a related field.
• Experience managing suppliers, sourcing activities, and cross‑functional projects within a manufacturing environment.
• Experience supporting customer‑driven projects preferred.
• Experience within Railway, Defense, Aerospace, Energy, Automotive, Heavy Equipment, or other regulated industries preferred.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Strong sourcing, supplier management, negotiation, and commercial evaluation skills.
• Experience leading RFX activities and supplier selection processes.
• Ability to evaluate supplier capabilities, manufacturing processes, quality systems, and project risks.
• Strong project management and organizational skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong analytical and problem‑solving abilities.
• Ability to interpret technical drawings, specifications, customer requirements, and project documentation.
• Ability to effectively collaborate with Engineering, Quality, Operations, Sales, and Supply Chain teams.

Why AKG?

At AKG, we are committed to creating a workplace where employees feel valued, supported, and part of the solution. Safety is our top priority, and we believe strong teams are built through communication, accountability, and respect for others.

As part of The AKG Way, we strive to create an environment where employees can grow professionally while contributing to the success of the organization.

AKG is an Equal Opportunity Employer.