Senior Buyer

Leonardo DRS; Fitchburg (KY); On-site; USD 80,000 - 114,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

401(k) retirement plan

Paid time off (vacation, holidays, and

Sick leave

Parental leave benefits

Tuition reimbursement

Professional development support

Life and disability insurance

Job summary

Leonardo DRS, Inc. in the United States is seeking a Senior Buyer to lead procurement activities and supplier relationships, ensuring CPSR compliance and adherence to company policies.

The role involves negotiating favorable terms, driving cost savings, and coordinating with suppliers and internal teams to deliver quality products. You will manage purchase orders, changes, and supplier performance, track cost savings, and maintain accurate procurement records, while supporting the mission and

Qualifications

• 5–7 years of progressive procurement experience, including work on U.S. government contracts.
• Knowledge of FAR/DFARS and applying contract requirements to purchase orders.
• Experience issuing and managing purchase orders for defense programs with compliant files.
• Experience purchasing aerospace/defense components and assemblies.
• Ability to read engineering drawings and specs.
• Understanding machining, welding, fabrication processes.
• Experience in negotiations, price analysis, and fair price determinations.
• Ability to manage complex procurements and cross-functional work.

Responsibilities

• Generate CPSR-compliant purchase orders from approved requisitions and bids.
• Manage supplier issues (cost, quality, delivery, service).
• Oversee supplier performance and A/P holds.
• Lead supplier changes (Engineering Change Notices).
• Negotiate terms to minimize risk and ensure favorable conditions.
• Maintain supplier relationships and resolve contract disputes.
• Monitor demand/spend and report savings.
• Maintain procurement records and vendor agreements.
• Communicate supplier performance and visits as needed.
• Serve as primary contact between DRS and suppliers.
• Support company mission, values, and culture.

Skills

Procurement

FAR/DFARS knowledge

Contract management

Negotiation

Cross-functional collaboration

U.S. Government contracts

Reading engineering drawings

Supplier relationship management

Cost analysis

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management/Business/Engineering

Equivalent relevant experience

Tools

Deltek Costpoint

ERP systems

Job description

Job ID: 115795

The Leonardo DRS Naval Power Systems business is a trusted provider of innovative naval gas and hybrid power systems, control technology and support solutions for the U.S. Navy and navies around the world.

Job Summary

The Senior Buyer will manage procurement activities and supplier relationships to support business needs while ensuring compliance with CPSR requirements and company policies. This role will negotiate favorable terms, drive cost savings, and collaborate with suppliers and internal teams to resolve issues, minimize risk, and ensure timely delivery of quality products and services.

Job Responsibilities

• Generate and execute CPSR-compliant purchase orders, based on approved requisitions, requests for proposals, bids and other similar and necessary documents related to the purchasing of commodities or major subcontract items
• Facilitate and manage any supplier issues (i.e. cost, quality, delivery, customer service)
• Manage all aspects of supplier including A/P holds
• Initiate and follow through on any supplier changes (Engineering Change Notices)
• Lead negotiations and apply knowledge of commercial contract law and guidelines, practices and requirements to assess, plan and negotiate best terms and conditions and to minimize risk
• Establish and maintain sound professional relationships with suppliers. Resolve issues (e.g. pricing, quality, timing, claims, contract disputes, etc.) associated with terms and conditions of service agreements
• Understand demand/spend profile for commodity areas, and provide this information as necessary
• Track and report cost savings or avoidances
• Maintain current accurate records and files of all vendor agreements and related procurement records
• Communicate supplier performance including supplier visits as required
• Be the primary contact between DRS personnel and assigned suppliers
• Support, communicate and defend the mission, values and culture of the company

Required Qualifications

• 5–7 years of progressive procurement experience, including hands‑on purchasing in support of U.S. government contracts.
• Demonstrated working knowledge of FAR and DFARS and experience applying applicable contract requirements and supplier flowdowns to purchase orders.
• Direct experience issuing and managing purchase orders for defense or government‑funded programs, including compliant procurement file documentation.
• Experience purchasing custom‑manufactured components and engineered assemblies in aerospace, defense, or industrial manufacturing.
• Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings, technical specifications, bills of material, and revisions.
• Working understanding of machining, welding, fabrication, and mechanical or electromechanical assembly processes.
• Experience conducting negotiations, price analysis, sole‑source justifications, and fair‑and‑reasonable price determinations.
• Experience managing supplier delivery, production constraints, nonconforming material, quality issues, and recovery actions.
• Ability to independently manage complex procurements and competing production priorities; strong communication and cross‑functional collaboration skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience supporting Department of Defense, U.S. Navy, shipbuilding, propulsion, or aerospace programs.
• Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management, Business, Engineering, or a related field, or equivalent relevant experience.
• Familiarity with DCMA oversight and Contractor Purchasing System Review (CPSR) expectations.
• Knowledge of DPAS, DFARS specialty metals/domestic sourcing requirements, ITAR/EAR, CUI, and CMMC as relevant to procurement.
• Familiarity with AS9100 and AS9102 First Article Inspection requirements.
• Experience purchasing precision‑machined parts, welded fabrications, specialty metals, motors, electrical components, and complex assemblies.
• Experience with Deltek Costpoint or comparable ERP systems.
• Experience managing critical‑path suppliers, shortages, supplier corrective actions, and schedule recovery.

U.S. Citizenship required.

The salary range for this position is $79,919 - $114,285. This range reflects the good faith estimate of pay the employer is willing to offer at the time of posting. Several factors can influence the pay scale, including but not limited to: Federal contract labor categories and contract wage rates, collective bargaining agreements, geographic location, business considerations, scope, and responsibilities of the position, local or other applicable market conditions, and internal equity. Other factors include the candidate’s qualifications such as prior work experience, specific skills and competencies, education/training, and certifications. In addition to base pay, employees may be eligible for: annual performance‑based bonuses, equity awards, and overtime pay (for non‑exempt employees as applicable. Our benefits package includes comprehensive health insurance (medical, dental, vision), employer matching 401(k) retirement plan, paid time off including vacation, holidays, and sick leave (including ant state‑mandated paid sick leave), parental leave benefits, tuition reimbursement, professional development support, and life and disability insurance coverage.

Leonardo DRS, Inc. and its subsidiaries provide equal opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibit discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.