Purchasing Manager

Avalir; Los Angeles (CA); On-site; USD 125,000 - 140,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive benefits (medical, etc.)

Annual performance bonus

401(k) with company match

Job summary

Avalir seeks a Purchasing Manager to own the full procurement function for aerospace/defense, space, and medical programs. You will source, purchase, and deliver components on time and on cost to support PCBA production, partnering with Engineering, Planning, Quality, Receiving, Program Management, and executive leadership.

Based in Chatsworth, CA with East Coast remote team members, you will recruit, develop, and lead the purchasing team, drive PPV, and ensure ITAR/EAR compliance and FAR/DFARS

Qualifications

• Minimum 5–7 years of progressive purchasing/procurement experience.
• EMS/PCBA procurement experience in aerospace/defense/space markets preferred.
• APICS CPIM/CSCP or ISM CPSM certification preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead, coach and develop a purchasing team including Senior Buyers, Buyers and MRO Buyer.
• Oversee sourcing, purchasing, expediting, and supplier performance to meet customer BOMs and ship dates.
• Own PPV, cost reductions, budgets, and forecast accuracy with quarterly review to leadership.
• Develop supplier strategies, approvals, AVL, and supplier scorecards to drive reliability and cost savings.

Skills

Leadership

Negotiation

Supplier Management

Analytical Thinking

Cross-Functional Collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree (Business, SCM, Ops, Engineering)

Tools

Epicor ERP

Excel

Job description

We are seeking a Purchasing Manager to be accountable for the full procurement function: ensuring electronic components and materials are sourced, purchased, and delivered on time and on cost to support PCBA production across Avalir's aerospace/defense, space, and medical programs. This role partners closely with Engineering, Planning, Quality, Receiving, Program Management, and executive leadership, and serves as the escalation point for supplier performance, material shortages, and customer commitments. The Purchasing Manager reports to the Director of Supply Chain and regularly contributes purchasing performance data, including purchase price variance for executive-level review.

Avalir (formerly Electronic Source Company) is a leading electronic manufacturing services (EMS) provider, delivering quick-response, high-reliability printed circuit board assemblies (PCBAs) built on world-class manufacturing equipment, practices, and technology. The assemblies Avalir builds support mission-critical end products, from missile guidance to satellite systems, for industry-leading customers. Avalir's business is approximately 70% aerospace & defense, 25% space, and 5% medical, reflecting a customer base that demands the highest standards of quality, traceability, and on-time delivery.

This position supports programs subject to ITAR and EAR export control regulations. Candidates must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents.

REPORTING STRUCTURE

Reports To

Director of Supply Chain, with regular visibility and reporting to executive leadership on purchasing performance, cost, and purchase price variance (PPV).

Direct Reports

• Senior Buyers
• Buyers
• MRO Buyer

The team is based in Chatsworth, CA and includes remote team members on the East Coast. The team is expected to grow as the business scales, and the Purchasing Manager will lead its structure, recruitment, and development.

Key Working Relationships

Internal: Supply Chain leadership, Planning, Engineering, Quality, Program Management, Estimating/Quoting, Receiving, Stockroom, Document Control, Finance, and Operations. External: component manufacturers, franchised distributors, brokers (under counterfeit-mitigation controls), contract service providers, and customers.

THE PERSON WE’RE LOOKING FOR

This is an opportunity for a hands-on purchasing leader to help develop, shape, and grow Avalir’s purchasing and supply chain function. We are looking for someone who wants to build, not just maintain, and who takes real pride in developing the people around them.

• Proactive and driven – Takes ownership, anticipates supply risks and problems before they reach the production floor, and acts without waiting to be asked. Brings energy, urgency, and a strong sense of accountability for results.
• A builder – Excited by the chance to develop, shape, and grow the purchasing and supply chain function, putting in place the processes, systems, structure, and talent needed to scale with the business.
• Collaborative – Builds strong, trusted relationships across Engineering, Planning, Quality, Program Management, and Operations, as well as with suppliers and customers. Sees supply chain as a team effort and works to find solutions rather than assign blame.
• A coach, mentor, and developer of people – Genuinely invested in growing others; able to coach, mentor, and develop buyers into stronger professionals and future leaders as the function expands.
• Hands-on and grounded – Comfortable rolling up their sleeves on day-to-day buying, expediting, and supplier issues when needed, while keeping sight of the bigger strategic picture.
• A continuous improver – Curious, data-driven, and always looking for a better way to work, whether in process, systems, supplier strategy, or team capability.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Lead, coach, mentor, and develop a team of Senior Buyers, Buyers, and the MRO Buyer, including remote team members on the East Coast; set goals, conduct performance reviews, and manage individual development plans
• Recruit and onboard talent as the team grows; define team structure, roles, account and commodity coverage, backup, and succession planning to scale the function

Procurement Operations

• Ensure components are sourced and purchased accurately and on time to customer BOMs, build schedules, and committed ship dates; oversee PO creation, approval, backlog, acknowledgements, and expediting/de-expediting in Epicor Kinetic ERP
• Drive proactive resolution of component shortages through expedites, alternates, and substitutions, and maintain accurate ERP purchasing data (item master, approved manufacturers, pricing, lead times) so MRP output can be relied on
• Support Estimating/Quoting with accurate component pricing, lead times, and availability for customer RFQs
• Own purchase price variance (PPV), cost-reduction initiatives, and purchasing budgets and forecasts; present PPV and purchasing performance metrics to executive leadership quarterly
• Manage inventory and material liability, including excess and obsolete (E&O) inventory, MOQ and NCNR exposure, last-time/EOL buys, and recovery of customer liability on cancellations and engineering changes

Supplier Management & Strategy

• Lead supplier base strategy, including supplier selection and qualification, the Approved Vendor List (AVL), consolidation, dual/multi-sourcing of critical components, and strategic relationships with key manufacturers and franchised distributors
• Negotiate and administer purchasing agreements, LTAs, and VMI, consignment, or kanban programs; drive supplier performance through scorecards, business reviews, and corrective action
• Monitor market conditions, including lead times, allocation, pricing trends, and tariffs, and communicate supply risks and mitigation plans to leadership and program teams

Compliance & Governance

• Ensure compliance with ITAR/EAR, AS9100, counterfeit-mitigation, and ethical purchasing standards, and flow down FAR/DFARS, quality, and DPAS requirements to suppliers
• Establish and enforce purchasing policies and procedures, and support AS9100, customer, and regulatory audits of the purchasing function
• Continuously improve purchasing tools, processes, and templates, including standard work, ERP functionality, and LEAN practices, to make the function more efficient, consistent, and scalable
• Develop and refine reporting and KPI dashboards covering purchase commitments, cost, delivery, and supplier performance

Cross-Functional & Customer Partnership

• Partner with Planning, Engineering, Quality, Program Management, Receiving, Stockroom, and Document Control to keep material flow on schedule
• Communicate material status and delivery commitments to customers, and participate in key customer and internal program reviews

STANDARDS & COMPLIANCE FRAMEWORKS

PERFORMANCE MEASURES OWNED

Purchase Price Variance (PPV) ·Supplier On-Time Delivery · Purchasing Budget vs. Forecast ·Purchase Commitments & Cost· Supplier Quality, Delivery & Responsiveness · Component Shortages · Open PO Backlog · Supplier Corrective Action Closure ·Inventory Turns · Excess & Obsolete (E&O) Inventory · Cost Savings vs. Target

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Bachelor's degree in Business, Supply Chain Management, Operations Management, Engineering, or a related field preferred

Experience

Minimum 5–7 years of progressive purchasing/procurement experience, including prior experience as a Buyer or Senior Buyer

Industry Background

Experience working at a contract manufacturer (EMS) in PCBA/electronics production is required

Leadership

Previous supervisory or managerial experience leading a purchasing or buying team is required; able to manage a geographically distributed team, including direct reports based on the East Coast

Systems & Tools

Strong, hands-on experience with ERP/MRP systems (Epicor strongly preferred); advanced Microsoft Excel (VLOOKUP, pivot tables, data analysis) and the broader MS Office suite

Business Acumen

Financial acumen including budgeting, forecasting, and variance analysis; working knowledge of project management principles and of laws/regulations relating to procurement and contracts

Must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

Market Experience

EMS/PCBA procurement experience in aerospace, defense, or space markets strongly preferred

Certifications

APICS (CPIM/CSCP) or ISM (CPSM) certification

Working knowledge of electronic component types, datasheets, and franchised distribution channels; experience managing component shortages, allocations, end-of-life (EOL), and counterfeit-mitigation processes

Compliance & Technical

Familiarity with aerospace/defense supply chain requirements (e.g., ITAR/EAR) and AS9100 quality systems; able to read and interpret assembly drawings and Bills of Materials (BOMs)

KEY SKILLS & COMPETENCIES

Leadership, Coaching & Team Development · Negotiation & Supplier Relationship Management · Clear, Professional Communication with Staff, Customers & Executives · Analytical & Financial Acumen ·Planning, Organization & Prioritization ·Problem-Solving & Sound Judgment Under Pressure ·Results Oriented & Attention to Detail ·Proactive, Self-Driven & Takes Ownership ·Collaborative Cross-Functional Partner· Building & Scaling a Growing Function

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS

BASE SALARY

$125k-$140k

LOCATION

Chatsworth, CA

• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage
• Annual performance bonus tied to business and personal objectives
• 401(k) with company match

This job description is intended to provide an overview of the responsibilities and duties of the Purchasing Manager role. It is not all-inclusive, and additional tasks may be assigned as needed.

Avalir is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, ancestry, age, disability, medical condition, genetic information, marital status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal or California law. Qualified applicants with arrest or conviction records will be considered in accordance with the California Fair Chance Act. To request a reasonable accommodation, contact [e-mail]