Senior Purchasing Agent

MSI Defense Solutions; Mooresville (NC); On-site; USD 85,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401(k) with employer match

Disability Insurance

Health Insurance

Vision Insurance

Paid Parental and Maternity Leave

Life Insurance

Paid Time Off – 120 hours per year

Job summary

MSI Defense Solutions in Mooresville, NC is seeking a Senior Purchasing Agent to quote, issue POs, and manage order follow-up. You will interface with Engineering, Production, and Business Development to secure the best price, high quality, and on-time delivery.

The role requires 7+ years in manufacturing/aerospace/defense purchasing and ERP proficiency, with ITAR/AS9100 awareness. The position is full-time in-office in Mooresville, with occasional travel to suppliers or facilities, and a strong

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent. Bachelor's degree preferred in a related field.
• Minimum 7 years of purchasing experience in manufacturing, aerospace, or defense.
• Experience reading and understanding technical drawings.
• Knowledge of machining, materials, coating, and fabrication shop procedures.
• ERP experience required; FAI/PPAP preferred.
• Must be motivated, organized and responsible; able to work under pressure.

Responsibilities

• Solicit and evaluate quotes for raw materials, machined parts, off-the-shelf components, MRO supplies, and tooling.
• Issue and follow up on purchase orders to ensure timely delivery and accurate fulfillment.
• Interpret drawings and specifications to source from qualified suppliers.
• Communicate with vendors on lead times, pricing, and order status.
• Align procurement with production schedules, inventory, and customer delivery timelines.
• Assist in cost estimates and pricing for proposals and prototypes.
• Identify potential suppliers for bid packages and contribute to RFQs and internal costing.
• Review MRP reports to plan purchasing activities according to demand.
• Maintain records of quotes, POs, certifications, and supplier communications.
• Support ITAR, AS9100, and customer quality requirements; prepare related reports.

Skills

Technical drawings

ERP systems

Vendor management

Interpersonal skills under pressure

Organizational skills

US citizenship

Education

Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain/Business or related field

High school diploma

Tools

MRP/ERP software

Job description

The Senior Purchasing Agent is responsible for quoting and purchase order issuance and follow-up order management. The position will be interface with our Engineering, Production, and Business Development teams, and our vendor base to secure the best market price, highest quality product and on time delivery for all corporate procurement.

The Senior Purchasing Agent will report directly to the Supply Chain Manager. This position requires a full-time work week spent in the shop/office in Mooresville, NC. Normal hours are Monday through Thursday 7:00am-4:30pm and Friday 7:00am – 12:00pm (Must be flexible to work additional hours as needed based on project requirements and deadlines).

Key Responsibilities

• Solicit and evaluate quotes for raw materials, machined parts, off-the-shelf components, MRO supplies, and tooling.
• Issue and follow up on purchase orders to ensure timely delivery and accurate fulfillment.
• Interpret technical drawings, specifications, and material requirements to accurately source from qualified suppliers.
• Communicate with vendors regarding lead times, pricing, technical clarifications, and order status.
• Ensure procurement activities align with production schedules, inventory levels, and customer delivery timelines.
• Support the Supply Chain Manager and Sales/Engineering teams in the preparation of cost estimates and pricing exercises for new business proposals and prototype projects.
• Research and identify potential suppliers for components included in bid packages.
• Assist in generating sourcing data and vendor quotes for inclusion in customer RFQs and internal costing exercises.
• Review material requirements planning (MRP) reports to plan and adjust purchasing activity in accordance with demand.
• Maintain organized records of all purchasing activity, including quotes, purchase orders, material certifications, and supplier communications.
• Support compliance with ITAR, AS9100, and customer-specific quality requirements.
• Assist in preparing reports and summaries related to open POs, delivery status, and inventory levels.
• Build and maintain productive working relationships with domestic and international suppliers.
• Travel - Job will generally be performed in the office environment but may require occasional out of the office time to visit a vendor office or production facility.

Skills and Qualifications Required

• High school diploma or equivalent required. Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Business, Finance, Operations, or a related field preferred.
• Minimum 7 years of purchasing experience in a manufacturing, aerospace, or defense industry environment.
• Experience with reading and understanding technical drawings
• Knowledge of machining practices, materials and coating, industry workings, fabrication shop procedures
• ERP experience required
• FAI experience and PPAP preferred
• Motivated, organized and responsible
• Ability to interact with all types of people under pressure
• U.S. Citizenship is required. Candidates must be eligible to obtain and maintain a U.S. Government security clearance, if required for the position.

Physical Requirements

• Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
• Must be able to lift 15 pounds at times.
• Must be able to access and navigate each department at the organization's facilities.

The MSI Operating Code

Every employee at MSI is expected to operate in accordance with the MSI Operating Code. These seven principles define how we think, decide, and execute. They are not aspirational. They are the working standard by which all employees are evaluated.

The Seven Principles

• Own It. If a problem touches your function, it is yours until it is solved or explicitly transferred. Do not wait. Do not delegate upward. Do not hide behind process. Ownership means driving to resolution, not monitoring status.
• Kill the Wrong Fight. Before optimizing a solution, question whether the problem is yours to solve. If an opportunity requires MSI to become something we are not, kill it fast. The discipline to say no is what protects our ability to say yes to the right things.
• Move Before You're Told. Speed is MSI's compounding advantage. We move when directionally correct and adjust in motion. Leaders who wait for permission are not leading. We would rather correct a fast decision than wait for a perfect one.
• Solve Before You Contract. Prove the integration works before formalizing the relationship. Capability first, paperwork follows. Working capability is the strongest negotiating position and the most honest form of business development.
• Integrate First. MSI's moat is not any single technology. It is the ability to integrate modular systems faster and more effectively than anyone else. Every decision should reinforce our position as the integration hub.
• Say It Now. Silence is not alignment. If you disagree, say so, with data, with reasoning, and with an alternative path. Passive execution is institutional risk.
• Build Beyond Yourself. If your function depends on your presence to operate, you have not built anything. Develop your people. Document your processes. Create depth that survives your absence.
• 401(k) with employer match
• Disability Insurance
• Health Insurance
• Vision Insurance
• Paid Parental and Maternity Leave
• Life Insurance
• Paid Time Off – 120 hours per year to start (prorated in first year of employment)
• Continuing Education
• Annual Year End Paid Holiday Closure

Classification

• Position is full-time, Exempt

MSI Defense Solutions is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. We recruit, hire, train, promote, and compensate employees based on merit, qualifications, and business needs. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to any characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law, including race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, sexual orientation, and gender identity), national origin, age, disability, genetic information, protected veteran status, or any other legally protected status. MSI Defense Solutions is committed to fostering a workplace free from discrimination, harassment, and retaliation.