Senior Buyer: Defense Procurement & CPSR Expert

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

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

401(k) matching

Paid time off (vacation, holidays, and

Sick leave

Tuition reimbursement

Professional development support

Life and disability insurance

Job summary

Leonardo DRS, Inc. is seeking a Senior Buyer in Fitchburg, MA to lead procurement activities and supplier relationships, ensuring CPSR compliance and company policy adherence.

The role focuses on cost savings, favorable terms, and cross-functional collaboration to ensure timely delivery of quality products and services. The position requires 5–7 years of progressive procurement experience, including defense or government-related purchases, with knowledge of DFARS/FAR and DPAS standards.

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.

Responsibilities

• Generate and execute CPSR-compliant purchase orders, based on approved requisitions, requests for proposals, bids and other similar documents.
• 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 to assess, plan and negotiate best terms and conditions and to minimize risk.
• Establish and maintain sound professional relationships with suppliers. Resolve issues 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.

Skills

Procurement experience

FAR/DFARS knowledge

Negotiation skills

Cross-functional collaboration

Reading engineering drawings

Education

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

Tools

Deltek Costpoint

Job description

Leonardo DRS, Inc. is seeking a Senior Buyer in Fitchburg, MA to lead procurement activities and supplier relationships, ensuring CPSR compliance and company policy adherence.

The role focuses on cost savings, favorable terms, and cross-functional collaboration to ensure timely delivery of quality products and services. The position requires 5–7 years of progressive procurement experience, including defense or government-related purchases, with knowledge of DFARS/FAR and DPAS standards.