Sr. Buyer (84815)

The Gill Corporation; El Monte (CA); On-site; USD 80,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

The Gill Corporation, located in El Monte, California, is seeking a Senior Buyer to manage procurement activities and ensure alignment with production schedules. This role requires a minimum of 6 years of experience in procurement within a regulated environment, along with advanced data analysis and Excel skills.

The qualified candidate will collaborate with supply chain teams to improve cost efficiency and quality while adhering to strict manufacturing standards. The position demands expertise in SAP and lean methodologies, offering a crucial support role in day-to-day operations.

Qualifications

• At least 6+ years of experience in procurement or strategic buying.
• Strong expertise in Microsoft Excel required.
• Experience with enterprise resource planning systems.

Responsibilities

• Create RFQs and manage purchase orders for material demand.
• Coordinate raw material requirements with production schedules.
• Conduct supplier performance reviews and manage quality expectations.

Skills

Procurement experience

Advanced Excel skills

Data analysis

Supplier performance management

Lean manufacturing

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

SAP

Job description

Who We Are

The Gill Corporation is one of the world's largest manufacturers of honeycomb, high performance floor panels, cargo compartment liners and original equipment for passenger and freighter aircraft. The company also excels in many other types of reinforced plastics including interior sandwich panels for creating structures such as aircraft galleys and bulkheads, honeycomb core and related products.

Job Description

The Gill Corporation is seeking a Senior Buyer to orchestrate the procurement of machinery, equipment, tools, raw materials, parts, services, and operational supplies. Utilizing formal company governance documents—including the Gill Management System (GMS), Gill Operation System (GOS), and Gill Work Instructions (GWI)—this role balances optimal cost efficiencies with rigid quality standards, specifications, and manufacturing schedules. Reporting directly to the Procurement Manager, the Senior Buyer acts as a critical anchor for day-to-day operations and long-term business plans, integrating tactical execution, advanced data analytics and lean continuous improvement.

Responsibilities

• Tactical Procurement & Demand Alignment: Create RFQs and place purchase orders to support immediate material demand requirements. React dynamically to MRP/ERP messages to ensure the material supply is perfectly aligned with system demand, and manage RFQs for Future Business Proposals.
• Production Support & Material Tracking: Coordinate raw material requirements with production schedules and customer requirements. Attend daily production meetings and weekly shortage meetings to provide material status, while feeding critical availability updates back to scheduling and management.
• Advanced Data Analysis & Reporting: Manipulate large supply chain datasets using excellent Excel skills, including Pivot Tables, V-lookups/X-lookups, and complex analytical formulas. Prepare comprehensive material status sheets, milestones, shortage schedules, and data-driven presentations for site and executive reviews.
• Strategic Sourcing & Cost Improvement: Develop and participate in the implementation of high-impact purchasing strategies to support TGC’s production schedules while controlling costs. Partner with Production Managers, Operations, and Engineering in the selection of suppliers for new and portfolio products to drive departmental cost improvements.
• Lean Inventory & Kanban Optimization: Strategically use system planning parameters to ensure optimal inventory levels. Apply a deep lean manufacturing background to design, implement, and audit physical and electronic pull-based Kanban systems to minimize safety stock while eliminating line-down risks.
• Supplier Performance & Quality (MRB/RMA): Conduct supplier business reviews and manage supplier performance improvement objectives centered around delivery or quality expectations. Actively support the timely disposition of deviated materials, lead Material Review Board (MRB) cases, and execute the Return Merchandise Authorization (RMA) process for defective vendor parts.
• Transactional Problem Resolution: Proactively resolve supplier invoicing issues and implement systemic corrective actions to minimize future payment errors. Lead and support supplier consolidation, sub-tier capacity assessments, and transition activities.
• Chemical Purchasing & Category Support: Support specialized procurement activities for chemical portfolios, resins, and core substrates, ensuring strict adherence to regulatory tracking (such as ITAR or DFAR) and material shelf-life constraints.
• Other essential duties may be assigned.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications

• Experience: Minimum 6+ years of progressive procurement, strategic buying, or supplier performance experience within a highly regulated aviation, aerospace, or automotive manufacturing environment.
• Education: Bachelor’s level degree from an accredited institution (or equivalent blended industry experience).
• Data & Excel Proficiency: Advanced data analysis capabilities with mandatory, demonstrable expertise in Microsoft Excel (Pivot Tables, V-lookups, data modeling).
• Systems Acumen: Direct experience navigating complex enterprise resource planning systems; SAP proficiency is highly preferred.
• Lean & Technical Background: Deep lean manufacturing background with practical experience executing value stream mapping and managing supplier continuous improvement initiatives. APICS (CPIM/CSCP) or Lean Six Sigma certifications are highly desirable.
• Chemical Expertise (Preferred): Familiarity with chemical purchasing parameters—including safety data sheets (SDS), specialized chemical handling, and hazardous material storage protocols—is helpful but not required.

ITAR Requirement

This position requires access to information that is subject to compliance with the International Traffic Arms Regulations (“ITAR”) and/or the Export Administration Regulations (“EAR”). In order to comply with the requirements of the ITAR and/or the EAR, applicants will be asked to provide specific documentation to verify U.S. person status under the ITAR and the EAR. A “U.S. person” according to their definition is a U.S. citizen, U.S. lawful permanent resident (green card holder), or protected individual such as a refugee, or asylee.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Applicants for all job openings are welcome and will be considered without regard to race, religious creed, color, age, sex, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information, sexual orientation, national origin, religion, marital status, medical condition, physical or mental disability, military service, veteran status, pregnancy, childbirth and related medical conditions, or any other classification protected by federal, state, and local laws and ordinances.

The Gill Corporation provides reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities in accordance with the Americans with Disability Act and applicable state and local law. If you require an accommodation in the application process, please notify the Human Resources Department.