Sr. Buyer

Hutchinson Group; Burbank (CA); On-site; USD 100,000 - 115,000; Full time

Job summary

Hutchinson Group in California is seeking a Senior Buyer to purchase requisitioned materials and lead strategic sourcing to support production schedules. You will manage supplier performance, negotiate long-term agreements, and drive cost savings while mitigating supply chain risks.

The role requires ERP proficiency, 5–8 years of manufacturing purchasing experience, and knowledge of ISO/QS9001/AS9100 standards. Travel to supplier sites may be required; local candidates preferred.

Qualifications

• BS or equivalent in materials area or supply chain.
• 5-8 years purchasing experience in manufacturing.
• Knowledge of MRP II/ERP systems and Kanban/JIT manufacturing.
• Familiarity with ISO/QS9001/AS9100 and ITAR/EAR frameworks.
• APICS, CPIM, CSCO or ISM CPSM training/certification preferred.

Responsibilities

• Negotiate, place and administer purchase orders to support production schedules.
• Develop and manage a certified supplier base with ESG metrics; assess capacity and de-risk key commodities.
• Review and initiate long-term agreements to ensure quality, delivery and cost savings; manage TCO and inflation terms.
• Expedite orders, implement RCCA with suppliers facing capacity or quality issues.
• Sponsor cost savings initiatives and manage PPV; maintain backlog visibility and weekly PO reporting.
• Collaborate with planning, QA and engineering to resolve issues and optimize lead times.

Skills

ERP

Advanced Excel

Data visualization

Strong communication

Problem solving

Education

BS in materials or supply chain

APICS/ISM CPSM/CSCP training

Tools

MRP II/ERP system

Kanban/JIT

Job description

SUMMARY

To purchase requisitioned material and execute strategic sourcing initiatives to support scheduled assembly and spares requirements to meet customer needs while proactively mitigating geopolitical, macroeconomic, and supply chain disruptions.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Negotiate, place and administer purchase orders and subsequent changes to support the production schedule using proactive risk management and advanced ERP analytics to guarantee continuity of supply.
• Manage, develop and support a certified supplier base to meet the quality and delivery needs for meeting of the production schedule while integrating Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) metrics, assessing supplier operational capacity, and evaluating dual‑sourcing options to de‑risk key commodities.
• Review and initiate LTA’s (long term agreements) with approved suppliers to ensure quality, delivery and cost savings incorporating robust Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) models, structured indexation, and inflation‑mitigation terms.
• Expedite all placed purchase orders to meet the production schedule and implement Root‑Cause Corrective Actions (RCCA) with suppliers experiencing structural delivery or capacity constraints.
• Quote and negotiate with suppliers to ensure standard costs (price) are met or improved. Proactively sponsor and institute cost savings initiatives and manage Purchase Price Variance (PPV) through data‑driven market intelligence. Maintain and report weekly on the current and accurate backlog of requisitions received, in‑process and on hold for completeness, additional documentation or other problems.
• Maintain and report weekly on quantity and value of purchase orders placed.
• Review all applicable documents and Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) input fields, including but not limited to: part file, purchase part file, purchase orders, unplaced requisitions, lead time and other purchasing related codes for accuracy and feedback any necessitated changes to the appropriate planner or department to maintain high database integrity and optimize safety stock parameters.
• React to inputs from planners by initiating lot splits on purchase orders due to problems with capacity, schedule or quality and collaborate cross‑functionally to optimize lead times and minimize premium freight exposure and avoid expedite fees.
• Analyze potential impact of any changes or delays in the purchase receipt schedule and alert proper personnel of any unresolved problems utilizing predictive metrics to establish comprehensive risk‑mitigation options before internal and external lines are impacted.
• Help determine effectiveness and impact of engineering change orders, taking into account the cost and schedule of material on order and mitigating potential inventory obsolescence or exposure.
• Reschedule and update purchase orders due to changes dictated by engineering change orders.
• React to customer reschedules or cancellations by rescheduling or canceling material on purchase orders as directed by planning.
• Interface with Quality and Engineering personnel to ensure that quality issues and corrective actions, where required, are taken and met by suppliers.
• May be asked to train, direct or lead other buyers and/or expeditors by championing standardized workflows, professional clear communication techniques, and system‑backed best practices.
• May be asked to perform special tasks or projects by Materials Manager. Responsible for promoting and abiding by the HSE rules and policies including but not limited to advancing Scope 3 supply chain sustainability efforts, ethical sourcing, and waste reduction principles.
• All other duties as assigned.

SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE

• ERP, advanced spreadsheet software (Excel), data visualization boards, and standard communication tools.
• BS or equivalent plus specialized training or experience in the materials area.
• 5-8 years of purchasing experience in a manufacturing environment, preferably aerospace.
• Knowledge of computerized MRP II/ERP system or Kanban/JIT manufacturing.
• Computer literacy with predictive analytical capabilities.
• Strong organizational, communication, and problem‑solving skills.
• APICS, CPIM, CSCO or ISM (CPSM) training or certification preferred.
• Knowledge of ISO/QS9001/AS9100 requirements and familiarity with ITAR/EAR regulatory frameworks where applicable.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS

Occasional domestic or international travel may be required for supplier site audits, training or technical operational reviews.

Local Candidate please.

Salary range: $100,000 to $115,000