Senior Buyer

Stark Aerospace; Columbus (MS); On-site; USD 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading aerospace and defense company is seeking a Senior Buyer to enhance their procurement team. The role requires a strategic thinker with expertise in supplier management and a deep understanding of industry regulations. Candidates must possess excellent negotiation skills and a bachelor's degree in a related field, along with relevant experience in procurement.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of procurement experience, especially in aerospace or defense.
• In-depth knowledge of industry regulations like ITAR, DFARS, and FAR.
• APICS or ISM certification is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Manage strategic sourcing, supplier relationships, and purchasing activities.
• Negotiate contracts and optimize costs while ensuring quality.
• Ensure compliance with regulatory standards in procurement.

Skills

Negotiation

Supplier Management

Problem-solving

Analytical Skills

Communication

Education

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

Tools

ERP/MRP systems

SAP

Oracle

Job description

Description

Job Title: Senior Buyer - Aerospace & Defense

Location: Columbus MS

Position Type: Full-time, Permanent

Job Summary:

We are seeking an experienced and highly skilled Senior Buyer to join our procurement team in the aerospace and defense sector. The Senior Buyer will play a crucial role in managing strategic sourcing, supplier relationships, and purchasing activities to support our company’s objectives in quality, delivery, and cost-effectiveness. This role requires a deep understanding of aerospace and defense industry requirements, including compliance, quality standards, and risk management.

Key Responsibilities:

• Strategic Sourcing and Supplier Management:
• Identify, assess, and qualify suppliers to ensure alignment with company objectives, compliance with industry standards, and delivery reliability.
• Develop and implement sourcing strategies to optimize costs, ensure quality, and mitigate risks.
• Negotiate contracts, terms, and conditions to secure favorable terms that meet the company’s cost, quality, and lead-time requirements.
• Maintain and strengthen relationships with key suppliers, ensuring alignment on strategic goals.
• Strong cost reduction background in material, component, sub-assemblies, Design to specification items
• Procurement and Inventory Management:
• Manage the end-to-end procurement process for assigned categories, including RFQs, PO generation, and order tracking.
• Optimize inventory levels to meet demand forecasts while minimizing excess and obsolescence.
• Collaborate with internal stakeholders (Engineering, Quality, Production) to ensure material availability and timely delivery.
• Monitor and report on supplier performance, conducting regular reviews and taking corrective action as needed.
• Compliance and Documentation:
• Ensure all procurement activities comply with regulatory standards, including ITAR, DFARS, FAR, and other relevant aerospace and defense regulations.
• Maintain accurate records of purchases, pricing, and other important data for auditing and reporting purposes.
• Manage import/export compliance requirements, collaborating with logistics teams to ensure smooth flow of goods.
• Identify opportunities for process improvements and cost savings within the procurement function.
• Stay updated on industry trends, market conditions, and new technologies that could benefit sourcing and procurement activities.
• Lead and mentor junior members of the purchasing team, providing guidance in best practices, problem-solving, and career development.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management, Business, Engineering, or related field; a Master’s degree is a plus.
• 5+ years of procurement experience, preferably within the aerospace or defense sector.
• In-depth knowledge of industry regulations, including ITAR, DFARS, and FAR.
• Strong negotiation and contract management skills.
• Proven track record in strategic sourcing and supplier management, especially with highly regulated or high-specification suppliers.
• Experience with ERP/MRP systems; familiarity with SAP, Oracle, or similar platforms is preferred.
• APICS or ISM certification (such as CPSM or CPIM) is highly desirable.
• Excellent communication, problem-solving, and analytical skills.
• Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced, cross-functional team environment.

Qualifications

Behaviors

Preferred

Enthusiastic

: Shows intense and eager enjoyment and interest

Dedicated

Dedicated

: Devoted to a task or purpose with loyalty or integrity

Motivations

Preferred

Ability to Make an Impact

Ability to Make an Impact

: Inspired to perform well by the ability to contribute to the success of a project or the organization

Education

Required

High School or better.

Preferred

Bachelors or better.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities
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