Senior Defense Materials Buyer | DFARS/ITAR Expert

Fairbanks Morse, LLC; Salem (MA); Hybrid; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Career development opportunities

Opportunity to support national-defens

Job summary

Fairbanks Morse Defense in Salem, MA, is seeking a Senior Buyer for Raw Materials to support the FMC centralized supply chain. You will source, negotiate, and procure materials and services, ensuring DFARS/ITAR compliance and strong supplier performance, with up to 30% travel.

The role demands a bachelor’s degree and 3–5 years in defense or regulated procurement, with ERP/MRP experience (SAP/Oracle/VISUAL) and U.S. citizenship. This is a hybrid role with site visits as required.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Business, Engineering, or related field.
• 3-5 years of procurement 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 (e.g., SAP, Oracle, VISUAL).
• Excellent communication, analytical, and problem-solving abilities.
• Ability to organize and manage large data from various sources; AI tools a plus.
• U.S. citizenship required.

Responsibilities

• Manage the full procurement lifecycle, from supplier selection and RFQ/RFP issuance to PO creation and tracking.
• Source and qualify suppliers meeting DFARS/ITAR requirements, where required.
• Develop supplier relationships and monitor performance via regular check-ins and site visits; travel up to 30%.
• Perform cost analysis and negotiate pricing, terms, and contracts for best value.
• Collaborate with operations to ensure timely procurement meeting budgets and specs.
• Manage supplier performance, delivery schedules, and quality metrics to minimize delays.
• Maintain procurement documentation for audits and compliance.
• Support cost-reduction initiatives and continuous improvement within supply chain.
• Ensure adherence to ethics, export controls, and purchasing policies; mentor junior staff.

Skills

Regulatory compliance

Negotiation

Data analysis

Communication

Problem solving

Education

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

Tools

SAP

Oracle

VISUAL

Job description

Fairbanks Morse Defense in Salem, MA, is seeking a Senior Buyer for Raw Materials to support the FMC centralized supply chain. You will source, negotiate, and procure materials and services, ensuring DFARS/ITAR compliance and strong supplier performance, with up to 30% travel.

The role demands a bachelor’s degree and 3–5 years in defense or regulated procurement, with ERP/MRP experience (SAP/Oracle/VISUAL) and U.S. citizenship. This is a hybrid role with site visits as required.