Senior Aerospace Buyer – Long-Lead & RFQ Expert

Beaver Aerospace & Defense; Livonia (MI); On-site; USD 85,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary linked to perfomace

9 paid holidays

Comprehensive group insurance (HSA/FSA

Dental & Vision

401k with company match

Tuition reimbursement

Job summary

Beaver Aerospace & Defense, a Héroux‑Devtek company, seeks a Buyer/Senior Buyer to source specialty metals, forgings, and precision components for flight‑critical aerospace products. You will negotiate with suppliers, manage long‑lead material in a low‑volume, high‑mix environment, and ensure AS9100, ITAR, and DFARS compliance. Level based on experience.

Responsibilities include RFQ leadership, supplier performance management, and coordination with production planning to meet schedules.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain, Business, Engineering, or a related field.
• 3+ years of experience as a Buyer, Buyer/Planner, Purchasing Agent, or Contract Specialist in aerospace, defense, or government procurement.
• Working knowledge of AS9100, ITAR, and DFARS requirements, including purchase order flowdowns.
• Experience purchasing metals, machined components, or outside processing.
• Experience managing long‑lead material in a low‑volume, high‑mix environment.
• Experience running RFQs and negotiating price and lead time with suppliers.
• Working knowledge of SAP, Oracle, or comparable ERP/MRP systems.
• Strong communication, negotiation, and follow‑through skills.
• Willingness to travel to supplier sites as required (estimated 10‑20%).
• Strong proficiency in Microsoft Excel.
• Legal authorization to work in the United States without sponsorship.
• Must meet ITAR eligibility requirements.
• Ability to move through industrial or manufacturing areas and observe safety policies.

Responsibilities

• Source and purchase specialty steels and alloys, forgings, castings, precision machined components, bearings, electromechanical components, and outside processing (heat treat, plating, grinding, NDT).
• Lead RFQs and evaluate supplier quotes on price, capability, capacity, lead time, and quality; recommend awards.
• Negotiate pricing, lead times, payment terms, and LTAs with key suppliers.
• Manage supplier performance on on-time delivery, quality, and cost; drive corrective action on late or nonconforming material.
• Identify supply risk on single-source and long‑lead items and put mitigation plans in place.
• Visit supplier sites as needed to build relationships and resolve issues.
• Flow down customer, contract, and quality requirements to suppliers on every purchase order.
• Ensure purchases meet DFARS specialty metals, ITAR, and counterfeit parts prevention requirements.
• Partner with Quality on first article inspection (AS9102), source inspection, certifications of conformance, and NADCAP‑approved special processes.
• Purchase from the approved supplier list and support new supplier qualification.
• Manage priority‑rated (DPAS) orders in line with requirements.
• Act on MRP output to place purchase orders, manage releases, and expedite material to support production schedules.
• Plan long‑lead material ahead of demand to protect delivery commitments.
• Maintain accurate planning data in ERP, including lead times, safety stock, and minimum order quantities.
• Coordinate daily with production, manufacturing engineering, and quality to align material with the schedule.
• Track and report cost savings, supplier scorecards, and open order status to leadership.
• Maintain purchasing documentation to support AS9100, ITAR, and customer audit requirements.

Skills

Negotiation

Communication

Excel

Travel willingness

ITAR knowledge

Education

Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain, Business, Engineering, or related field

Tools

SAP

Oracle

MRP systems

Job description

Beaver Aerospace & Defense, a Héroux‑Devtek company, seeks a Buyer/Senior Buyer to source specialty metals, forgings, and precision components for flight‑critical aerospace products. You will negotiate with suppliers, manage long‑lead material in a low‑volume, high‑mix environment, and ensure AS9100, ITAR, and DFARS compliance. Level based on experience.

Responsibilities include RFQ leadership, supplier performance management, and coordination with production planning to meet schedules.