Senior Buyer

Fairbanks Morse Defense; Salem (OH); Hybrid; USD 80,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Comprehensive benefits package

Career development opportunities

Job summary

Fairbanks Morse Defense is seeking a Senior Buyer responsible for Raw Material to support the newly formed FMC Components Supply Chain. You will source, negotiate, and procure materials to support manufacturing while aligning with DFARS/ITAR and government contracting requirements.

The role is hybrid/remote with travel to FMC sites as needed, offering career development within a defense manufacturing organization and a comprehensive benefits package.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management, Business, Engineering, or related field (or equivalent).
• 3–5 years of procurement/purchasing experience, preferably in defense or regulated manufacturing.
• Strong knowledge of FAR/DFARS, ITAR, and government contracting processes.
• Proven negotiation and supplier management skills.
• Experience with ERP/MRP systems (SAP, Oracle, VISUAL).
• Excellent communication, analytical, and problem-solving abilities.
• Ability to organize large data from various sources; AI tools a plus.
• U.S. citizenship required due to NOFORN/export control.

Responsibilities

• Manage the full procurement lifecycle from supplier selection to PO creation and delivery tracking.
• Source and qualify suppliers meeting DFARS/ITAR requirements.
• Develop supplier relationships and monitor performance with site visits; travel up to 30%.
• Perform cost analyses and negotiate pricing, terms, and contracts for best value.
• Collaborate with operations to ensure timely procurement meeting budgets and specs.
• Maintain procurement documentation for audits and compliance.
• Support cost-reduction initiatives and continuous improvement in supply chain.
• Ensure adherence to ethical standards and export control requirements.
• Provide mentoring and training to junior team members.

Skills

FAR/DFARS/ITAR

Negotiation

Supplier management

Data organization

Communication

AI tools knowledge

Citizenship requirement

Education

Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain/Business/Engineering

Tools

SAP

Oracle

VISUAL

Job description

Mission-Driven. Honor-Bound. Fairbanks Morse Defense. What’s your calling?

For the men and women of Fairbanks Morse Defense it's the rapid and effective support of the fleets that entrust us to design, develop, and deliver the best naval power technology on the planet. We're one of the nation's leading marine defense contractors because of the highly trained and dedicated teams that provide reliable power systems, parts, and aftermarket services to the U.S. Navy, Coast Guard, Military Sealift Command, and Canadian Coast Guard. When you join Fairbanks Morse Defense, you join a legacy of commitment that spans 150 years. Fairbanks Morse Defense offers competitive benefits with a wide range of training and development opportunities. Our world-class teams are dedicated to helping every individual achieve their full potential. Discover what it’s like to be a part of the Fairbanks Morse Defense team here: https://www.fairbanksmorsedefense.com/careers

This position is for a Senior Buyer responsible for Raw Material under the newly formed central Fairbanks Morse Components (FMC) Supply Chain which will support all FMC Business Unit Supply chain requirements including but not limited to sourcing, negotiating, and procuring materials, components, and services to support manufacturing efforts and for setting long term strategies for procurement. This role requires strict attention to compliance with U.S. government contracting regulations, supplier performance standards, and quality assurance requirements. This is a hybrid/remote role, with travel to FMC sites as required.

Key Responsibilities:

• Manage the full procurement lifecycle, from supplier selection and RFQ/RFP issuance to purchase order creation, tracking, and delivery follow-up.
• Source and qualify suppliers that meet Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS) and ITAR requirements, where required.
• Develop supplier relationships and manage supplier performance via regular check-ins and site visits. Travel up to 30% may be required.
• Perform cost analysis and negotiate pricing, terms, and contracts to achieve best value while maintaining compliance with company and government regulations.
• Collaborate with operations/administrative teams to ensure timely procurement of materials that support budget goals and adhere to technical/quality specifications.
• Manage supplier performance, delivery schedules, and quality metrics, resolving issues proactively to minimize production delays.
• Maintain accurate procurement documentation for audits and contract compliance.
• Support cost-reduction initiatives and continuous improvement programs within the supply chain function.
• Ensure adherence to ethical standards, export control requirements, and corporate purchasing policies.
• Provide mentoring and training for less experienced team members.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management, Business, Engineering, or a related field (or equivalent experience).
• 3-5 years of experience in procurement or purchasing, preferably in a defense, aerospace, or regulated manufacturing environment.
• Strong knowledge of FAR/DFARS, ITAR, and government contracting processes.
• Proven negotiation and supplier management skills.
• Experience with ERP/MRP systems (e.g., SAP, Oracle, VISUAL).
• Excellent communication, analytical, and problem-solving abilities.
• Ability to organize and manage large amounts of data from various sources. Experience with AI tools a plus.
• U.S. citizenship required (due to government contract and export control regulations).

What We Offer:

• Competitive salary and comprehensive benefits package.
• Opportunity to contribute to critical national defense programs.
• Career development and advancement opportunities within a growing defense manufacturing organization.

Note:

This position requires access or potential access to Unclassified Naval Nuclear Propulsion Information, which is Not Releasable to Foreign Nationals (NOFORN) data. Therefore, to meet NOFORN requirement, you will have to provide proof of US Citizenship and attest that you do not have dual citizenship. Acceptable proof of US Citizenship is a US Passport, US Birth Certificate or Naturalization Certificate.

This specification is intended to indicate the kinds of tasks and levels of work difficulty that will be required of positions that will be given this title and shall not be construed as declaring what the specific duties and responsibilities of any particular position shall be. It is not intended to limit or in any way modify the right of any supervisor to assign, direct, and control the work of employees under his/her supervision. Ability to competently perform all the essential duties of the position, with or without reasonable accommodation, demonstrated commitment to effective customer service delivery, and the ability to work productively as a member of a team or work group are basic requirements of all positions at Fairbanks Morse Defense.

Fairbanks Morse Defense offers a competitive benefits package including but not limited to, medical, dental, vision, life, and disability insurances, and 401k retirement plan with employer match. In addition, we offer paid time off, paid holidays, paid parental leave, and tuition reimbursement.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Veterans/Disabled