Senior Buyer – Electronics, Printed Wiring Boards & Machined Parts

INNOVATIVE SOLUTIONS AND SUPPORT LLC; Exton (PA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Innovative Aerosystems in Exton, PA seeks an experienced Senior Buyer to support procurement of complex aerospace components. You will manage supplier relationships, negotiate pricing, and ensure on-time delivery for PWBs/CCAs and precision machined parts.

The ideal candidate has aerospace procurement experience, strong reading of engineering drawings, ERP/MRP proficiency, and a track record of reducing cost while meeting quality and delivery targets.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent in a related field.
• 5+ years of purchasing experience in aerospace/defense/high-reliability manufacturing.
• Experience purchasing PWBs/PCBs, CCAs, electronic components, and precision-machined parts.
• Strong understanding of purchasing processes, supplier management, and material planning.
• Proven negotiation and cost-reduction skills.
• Ability to read engineering drawings, specifications, and BOMs.
• Experience with MRP/ERP systems and Excel data analysis.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute procurement strategies for assigned commodities.
• Source and procure PWBs/PCBs, CCAs, electronic components, semiconductors, connectors, and machined parts.
• Review material requirements and production schedules to determine purchasing needs.
• Issue and manage purchase orders reflecting drawings, specs, and terms.
• Obtain quotations and conduct supplier evaluations.
• Negotiate pricing, lead times, terms, and other commercial conditions.
• Identify cost-reduction opportunities and manage supplier relationships.
• Support supplier selection, qualification, and performance improvements.

Skills

Supplier management

Negotiation

Forecasting & planning

Data analysis

Excel

Communication

Engineering drawings

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management, Business, Operations, Engineering

Tools

MRP/ERP systems

Job description

About Innovative Aerosystems

Innovative Aerosystems (IA) is a diversified international avionics supplier serving civil, military, business, and commercial aviation markets and operators. IA manufactures a broad range of aviation products, including RVSM-compliant Air Data Systems, Flat Panel Display Systems, Fuel Quantity and Flow Measurement Systems, and Engine Hydraulic Displays.

Innovative Aerosystems offers excellent career opportunities for individuals who thrive in a fast-paced, technically driven manufacturing environment and have the initiative to contribute directly to the success of the organization. We seek committed professionals interested in joining a talented team involved in all aspects of the business, from product development and engineering through manufacturing, procurement, customer delivery, and installation.

IA takes pride in the quality and reliability of its products, its commitment to customers, and its employees who help shape the IA culture.

Position Summary

Innovative Aerosystems is seeking an experienced Senior Buyer to support the procurement of complex electronic and mechanical components used in the design and manufacture of aerospace and defense avionics systems.

The Senior Buyer will be responsible for managing assigned suppliers, negotiating pricing and commercial terms, placing and administering purchase orders, maintaining material availability, and supporting the company's production and new product development requirements.

The ideal candidate will have demonstrated procurement experience within an aerospace, defense, electronics, avionics, or high-reliability manufacturing environment, with specific experience purchasing printed wiring boards (PWBs/PCBs), circuit card assemblies (CCAs), electronic components, fabricated parts, and precision machined components.

This position requires an individual who can read and interpret engineering documentation, understand bills of material and technical specifications, work closely with Engineering and Manufacturing, and effectively manage suppliers to meet cost, quality, delivery, and technical requirements.

The Senior Buyer will serve as a key link between IA's Engineering, Manufacturing, Quality, Program Management, and Supply Chain organizations and the company's external supplier base.

Essential Responsibilities

Strategic and Tactical Procurement

• Develop and execute procurement strategies for assigned commodities.
• Source and procure printed wiring boards (PWBs/PCBs), circuit card assemblies (CCAs), electronic components, semiconductors, connectors, cable assemblies, machined components, fabricated parts, and other aerospace components.
• Review material requirements, MRP recommendations, purchase requisitions, bills of material, and production schedules to determine purchasing requirements.
• Issue and manage purchase orders in accordance with company procedures and established procurement strategies.
• Ensure purchase orders accurately reflect drawing revisions, specifications, quality requirements, delivery requirements, terms and conditions, and other applicable contractual requirements.
• Obtain competitive quotations and conduct supplier price evaluations.
• Negotiate pricing, lead times, payment terms, minimum order quantities, tooling, freight, and other commercial requirements.
• Identify cost-reduction opportunities through competitive sourcing, supplier negotiations, alternate sourcing, volume leverage, and value engineering.
• Develop and maintain effective supplier relationships while holding suppliers accountable for performance.
• Support strategic sourcing initiatives and commodity management activities.
• Assist with supplier selection, qualification, development, and performance improvement initiatives.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management, Business, Operations, Engineering, or a related field preferred; equivalent combination of education and relevant experience will be considered.
• 5+ years of purchasing/buying experience, preferably within aerospace, defense, avionics, electronics, or high-reliability manufacturing.
• Demonstrated experience purchasing printed wiring boards (PWBs/PCBs), CCAs, electronic components, and precision-machined parts.
• Strong understanding of purchasing processes, supplier management, and material planning.
• Experience negotiating pricing, lead times, terms, and other commercial conditions.
• Ability to read and comprehend engineering drawings, specifications, bills of material, and technical documentation.
• Experience working with MRP/ERP systems.
• Strong Microsoft Excel skills, including formulas, data analysis, sorting/filtering, and spreadsheet development.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Word, Outlook, and other standard business applications.
• Strong analytical and mathematical skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and make sound purchasing decisions.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective supplier and internal customer relationships.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in aerospace or defense manufacturing.
• Experience with avionics, electronic assemblies, or high-reliability electronic components.
• Experience with PCB/PWB fabrication and CCA assembly.
• Familiarity with IPC standards and electronics manufacturing requirements.
• Experience purchasing CNC-machined aerospace components.
• Experience with AS9100 quality systems.
• Knowledge of FAR/DFARS requirements.
• Experience with ITAR/EAR and export-controlled materials.
• Experience with DPAS-rated orders.
• Experience with NetSuite by Oracle or a similar ERP/MRP system.
• Experience managing long-lead-time and allocation-controlled electronic components.
• Experience developing alternate suppliers and mitigating single-source risks.

Work Environment

This position operates in a fast-paced aerospace manufacturing environment where procurement decisions can directly impact production schedules, customer deliveries, and program performance. The successful candidate must be comfortable working with changing priorities, time-sensitive material requirements, technical documentation, and multiple suppliers simultaneously.

The position will interact regularly with Engineering, Manufacturing, Quality, Program Management, Finance, Production Control, and senior leadership.

U.S. Person Requirements

Due to compliance with U.S. export control laws and regulations, candidates must be a U.S. citizen, U.S. permanent resident, or have asylum or refugee status in the United States, as applicable to the requirements of the position.

Innovative Aerosystems is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, or disability status. IA does not discriminate on the basis of disability and is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all qualified individuals.