Senior Buyer

Ducommun Incorporated; Appleton (AL); On-site; USD 75,000 - 105,000; Full time

Job summary

Ducommun Incorporated in Appleton, WI is seeking a Senior Buyer to procure products within assigned planner codes, negotiate best value with suppliers, and ensure timely delivery to support manufacturing. The role focuses on cost‑effective purchasing and reducing risk through proactive supplier management.

Responsibilities include evaluating supplier performance, leading production meetings and QBRs, reviewing commodity trends, managing MRP data, and guiding new buyers.

Qualifications

• Five years’ experience in purchasing in a manufacturing environment.
• Advanced level of computer skills (Email, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access) and MRP/ERP proficiency.
• Understanding of engineering drawings and flow charts.
• MRP exposure is required.
• Strong communications and interpersonal skills.
• Experience with supplier quoting, order processing and delivery/quality tracking.
• Problem solving with many variables and limited standardization.
• Leadership, meeting facilitation, and customer support.
• Negotiation and conflict management experience.
• Excellent written and verbal skills across all levels.
• Ability to multitask in a rapidly changing environment.

Responsibilities

• Use knowledge of technical requirements and market conditions to negotiate best price while meeting specifications.
• Procure products within assigned commodity areas to ensure timely delivery for manufacturing.
• Evaluate supplier performance and drive corrective actions for quality/delivery issues.
• Participate in production meetings and Quarterly Business Reviews with key suppliers.
• Review commodity trends and identify opportunities for cost reduction.
• Monitor MRP exception messages and PO status to ensure material availability.
• Develop alternate sources of supply and identify solutions for obsolete components.
• Resolve price variances and maintain purchasing data, lead times, and vendor information.
• Provide training to new and junior buyers on purchasing processes.
• Administer purchase agreements and ensure proper handling of confidential information.

Skills

Purchasing experience

ERP & MRP systems

Engineering drawings

Communication & interpersonal

Negotiation

Leadership & facilitation

Education

Bachelor's degree in Finance or Accounting

ISM/APICS certification (preferred)

Tools

MRP/ERP systems

MS Excel

MS Word

Job description

Senior Buyer

The Senior Buyer is responsible for procuring products within assigned planner codes in a timely and cost-effective manner. This role will lead initiatives and projects to resolve quality and delivery concerns to take proactive steps to eliminate or reduce risk to the company.

Who are we?

Founded in 1849, Ducommun is the oldest company in California. Starting as a hardware supply store during the California Gold Rush and eventually assisted in the birth of the aerospace industry in Southern California by providing aircraft aluminum to early aerospace pioneers like Lindbergh, Douglas and Lockheed.

Today Ducommun is a global provider of innovative manufacturing solutions for customers in the aerospace, defense and industrial markets. We specialize in electronic and structural systems, producing complex products and components for commercial aircraft platforms, mission-critical military and space programs, and sophisticated industrial applications.

Our Facility in Appleton, WI manufactures state-of-the‑art circuit boards for Aerospace and Defense as well as Industrial and Medical Industries.

Job Summary

• Use knowledge of technical requirements and market conditions to negotiate best price while meeting all specifications; negotiate best value with suppliers and perform material quotations for price and delivery.


• Procure products within assigned commodity areas in a timely and cost‑effective manner while ensuring timely delivery to support manufacturing.


• Evaluate supplier performance, including quality and on‑time delivery, create and follow up on corrective actions, and resolve supplier issues as they arise.


• Participate in production meetings, perform Quarterly Business Reviews (QBRs) with key suppliers, and participate in cost reduction and business improvement teams.


• Review commodity trends to ensure suppliers are adjusting costs accordingly and identify opportunities for cost reduction.


• Review MRP exception messages, purchase order status, and order action reports, taking appropriate action to ensure material availability.


• Identify and reduce long lead times, develop new or alternate sources of supply, and identify alternate solutions for obsolete components with Engineering approval.


• Resolve material price variances and maintain purchasing data, lead times, minimums, multiples, and vendor information in the system.


• Provide training and guidance to new and lower‑level buyers on all aspects of purchase.


• Administer purchase agreements containing confidential and proprietary information, adhere to team member requirements, and ensure proper handling and management of hazardous waste generated in the work area.
  

Required Skills and Qualifications

• Five years’ experience in purchasing in a manufacturing environment


• Advanced level of computer skills in e‑mail, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Access. Proficient MRP/ERP system skills.


• Understanding of engineering drawings and flow charts


• MRP exposure required


• Intermediate level of computer skills in e‑mail, internet, Word, and Excel


• Strong communications and interpersonal skills needed


• Experience of dealing with suppliers including quoting, order processing and tracking delivery and quality performance.


• Demonstrated problem solving ability involving many variables and limited standardization.


• Leadership skills—people management, meeting facilitation, presentation, and customer support.


• Negotiation and conflict management skills together with demonstrated experience troubleshooting and problem‑solving.


• Excellent written and verbal skills to interact with people at all levels and functions inside and outside Ducommun.


• Ability to multitask efficiently and adapt within a rapidly changing environment
  

Preferred Experience and Education

• Bachelor’s Degree in Finance, Accounting or familiar discipline.


• Experience purchasing electronic or electrical manufacturing components.


• ISM/APICS certification preferred.

Equal Opportunity EmployerVeterans/Disabled

2222 East Pensar Drive
Appleton, Wisconsin, 54911
United States