Tactical Buyer - Sarasota Assembly Line

Pilatus Aircraft USA Ltd; Colorado; On-site; USD 65,000 - 80,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

International training in Switzerland

Paid holidays and vacation time

Health premiums and HSA contributions

401(k) retirement plan matching

Life and long-term disability

Job summary

Pilatus Aircraft USA Ltd. in Sarasota, Florida, is launching a new PC-12 final assembly operation and seeks an experienced Tactical Buyer to ensure material availability and supplier performance for the startup line.

The successful candidate will complete advanced training within Pilatus procurement organizations in Broomfield, Colorado, with domestic travel during the first six months. This role requires SAP/MM experience, supplier negotiations and cross-functional collaboration.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management, Business Administration or related field.
• Three+ years purchasing, material-planning or supplier-management experience, preferably in aerospace.
• Experience with RFQs, purchase orders, supplier negotiations, delivery management and material expediting.
• Experience with SAP, preferably SAP S/4HANA MM; SAP Ariba experience is an advantage.
• Strong Excel, analytical, communication and negotiation skills, with a practical understanding of cost, schedule and supply risk.
• Ability to work independently, prioritize multiple urgent requirements and contribute effectively as part of a startup team.
• International procurement and import/export compliance experience, including ITAR and EAR familiarity, is an advantage.
• Willingness and ability to travel domestically and occasionally internationally for training and supplier support.
• This position involves access to technology that is subject to U.S. export controls. Any job offer made will be contingent upon the applicant’s capacity to serve in compliance with U.S. export controls.

Responsibilities

• Procure aircraft components, materials and services in accordance with approved purchasing processes, contractual requirements and assigned authority.
• Review purchase requisitions, issue and release purchase orders, and maintain accurate delivery dates, quantities, pricing and supplier data in SAP.
• Monitor purchase order acknowledgements and supplier delivery performance; proactively expedite overdue or at-risk materials to support the assembly schedule.
• Participate in shortage and material-readiness meetings, coordinate recovery actions with suppliers and internal teams, and communicate risks and status clearly.
• Provide suppliers with forecasts and demand updates to support capacity planning and reliable material availability.
• Conduct RFQs, compare quotations, support supplier selection, and negotiate pricing and commercial terms within the assigned scope.
• Manage day-to-day relationships with assigned suppliers and conduct regular supplier meetings covering delivery, quality, cost and open actions.
• Coordinate with Planning, Logistics, Production, Quality, Engineering, Finance and the central procurement organization in Switzerland to resolve supply, quality and invoice issues.

Skills

RFQs and purchase orders

Supplier negotiations

Delivery management

Material expediting

Excel

Analytical skills

Communication

Negotiation

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management or related field

Tools

SAP S/4HANA MM

SAP Ariba

Job description

Description

Be part of the operations team for our first US aircraft assembly line for Pilatus.

Pilatus Aircraft USA Ltd. is launching a new PC-12 final assembly operation in Sarasota, Florida. To establish this operation successfully, we are seeking an experienced Tactical Buyer to support material availability, supplier performance and purchasing activities for the new assembly line.

The successful candidate will complete advanced, hands-on training within the established Pilatus procurement organizations in Broomfield, Colorado. Training assignments will be completed during the initial 6 months of employment and will require domestic travel.

Essential Duties/Responsibilities

• Procure aircraft components, materials and services in accordance with approved purchasing processes, contractual requirements and assigned authority.
• Review purchase requisitions, issue and release purchase orders, and maintain accurate delivery dates, quantities, pricing and supplier data in SAP.
• Monitor purchase order acknowledgements and supplier delivery performance; proactively expedite overdue or at-risk materials to support the assembly schedule.
• Participate in shortage and material-readiness meetings, coordinate recovery actions with suppliers and internal teams, and communicate risks and status clearly.
• Provide suppliers with forecasts and demand updates to support capacity planning and reliable material availability.
• Conduct RFQs, compare quotations, support supplier selection, and negotiate pricing and commercial terms within the assigned scope.
• Manage day-to-day relationships with assigned suppliers and conduct regular supplier meetings covering delivery, quality, cost and open actions.
• Coordinate with Planning, Logistics, Production, Quality, Engineering, Finance and the central procurement organization in Switzerland to resolve supply, quality and invoice issues.

Other Duties/Responsibilities

• Maintain procurement records and SAP data completely, accurately and in a timely manner in accordance with internal requirements.
• Document purchasing decisions and prepare procurement reports, statistics and presentations as required.
• Work with a high level of ownership, urgency and cost awareness, particularly during assembly-line startup and ramp-up.
• Perform other duties and support cross-functional projects as assigned.

Requirements

Skills/Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management, Business Administration or a related field; an equivalent combination of education and relevant experience may be considered.
• Three or more years of purchasing, material-planning or supplier-management experience, preferably in aerospace or regulated manufacturing.
• Working knowledge of RFQs, purchase orders, supplier negotiations, delivery management and material expediting.
• Experience with SAP, preferably SAP S/4HANA Materials Management (MM); SAP Ariba experience is an advantage.
• Strong Excel, analytical, communication and negotiation skills, with a practical understanding of cost, schedule and supply risk.
• Ability to work independently, prioritize multiple urgent requirements and contribute effectively as part of a startup team.
• International procurement and import/export compliance experience, including ITAR and EAR familiarity, is an advantage.
• Willingness and ability to travel domestically and occasionally internationally for training and supplier support.
• This position involves access to technology that is subject to U.S. export controls. Any job offer made will be contingent upon the applicant’s capacity to serve in compliance with U.S. export controls.

What We Offer

• Unique opportunity to be part of Pilatus' first US PC-12 assembly line.
• International training assignment within the established Pilatus material-management organization in Stans, Switzerland.
• 11 paid holidays a year, plus 15 days of paid vacation time, and 6 days of paid sick/personal time to start with an increase to 20 days of paid vacation time after 5 years with Pilatus
• 90% of medical, dental, and vision premiums paid for single coverage and 80% for family coverage, averaging $9,600 annually
• Monthly health savings account (HSA) contributions totaling $2,250 for single coverage and $3,000 for family coverage annually
• 401(k) retirement plan matching up to 6%
• Life and long-term disability insurance premiums paid in full
• Tuition assistance available annually after the first year

The hiring range is $65,000 - $80,000 per year. This range represents Pilatus Aircraft USA Ltd.’s estimate of the compensation reasonably expected for this position at the time of posting. Actual compensation will be determined based on factors including relevant skills and experience, education, job location, internal equity, market data, and business considerations. The hiring range may be modified in the future based on business or market conditions. Any bonus, incentive compensation, benefits, or other forms of compensation are subject to the terms and conditions of the applicable plans, programs, and policies and may be modified in accordance with applicable law.

With over 3,000 employees and about 200 apprentices at its headquarters in Stans, Switzerland, completion center in Broomfield, Colorado, and multiple service centers across Westminster, MD, Rock Hill, SC, Chamblee, GA and Sarasota, FL, the Pilatus family unites people from over 40 countries. We offer a secure, innovative, international, and sustainable work environment. Courage, vision, and outstanding performance have made us a strong company. Our culture is shaped by a high level of quality awareness, close customer relationships, and a high degree of employee commitment.

Pilatus Aircraft USA Ltd. provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.