Buyer

AIT is the world's largest provider of automation, factory integration, and tooling solutions dedicated to the global aerospace, defense, and space launch vehicle industries. AIT offers a competitive compensation package, including free medical options for employees and their families, a casual work environment, and excellent growth opportunities.

About the role

The buyer is responsible for identifying and procuring goods and services that the organization requires. They identify external material needs, find service providers who can supply these goods, negotiate prices, and arrange for the purchase and delivery of the goods.

Responsibilities

• Ensure that raw materials, component parts, and outsourced parts are available for order fulfillment and production (both internally and at contract processors) to meet customer delivery schedules and service levels at the lowest total cost.
• Receive and evaluate proposals from potential suppliers, develop negotiation plans, and complete negotiations with management approval.
• Qualify and approve vendors and coordinate the authorization of purchase orders.
• Review contractual terms and conditions offered to and requested by suppliers to ensure the company’s best interests are protected.
• Resolve sub-par quality or delivery timing in an expedient manner.
• Develop and maintain competitive sources for materials, supplies, and services.
• Coordinate source selection decisions with other company requirements as needed.
• Develop and maintain good supplier relations by adhering to high standards of business ethics and fair dealing.
• Coordinate engineering, manufacturing, and quality control requirements with suppliers.
• Perform cost/price analyses to advise management of potential savings and establish negotiation goals.
• Consistently adhere to AS9100 and ISO quality standards.
• Monitor vendor performance and process credit applications.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree preferred.
• Five to ten years of experience in an equivalent position.
• American Purchasing Society Certifications (CPP, CPPM, or CPM) desirable.
• Knowledge of Global Shop, IFS, and/or other MRP/ERP systems.
• Experience working within an ISO quality plan is a plus.

Skills

• Perform day-to-day administrative tasks such as maintaining information files and processing paperwork.
• Work in a high-energy, high-volume, rapidly changing environment.
• Multitask and manage multiple large to small projects in a cross-functional environment.
• Take personal responsibility for the quality and timeliness of work and achieve results.
• Achieve thoroughness and accuracy when accomplishing tasks.
• Clear and effective communication skills in both written and spoken forms.
• Understand how to use computers, including locating and opening files, navigating websites, performing searches, and downloading files.
• Knowledge of computer applications including email, databases, word-processing programs, and spreadsheets (such as Microsoft Office).
• Provide excellent service to internal and external customers.
• Make decisions based on policies, rules, and organizational directives to solve emerging problems.
• Proven negotiation skills and ability to explain products to audiences.
• Develop and maintain customer relationships.
• Analyze and diagnose problems and work independently to solve them.
• Manage own time, priorities, and resources to achieve goals.
• Work collaboratively and build strategic relationships with colleagues, coworkers, and contractors.
• Work effectively with different levels of management, team members, and customers.
• Knowledge of raw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and techniques for maximizing effective manufacture and distribution of goods.
• Knowledge of strategic supply-chain activities such as supply planning, sourcing, contracts, and supplier performance management.
• Ability to earn trust, maintain positive and professional relationships, and contribute to a culture of inclusion.

Work Conditions

• Environment Type: Indoor, production and office environment. Temperature controlled unless products and/or equipment are located outdoors.
• Exposure Types: Dirt, dust, grease, oil, and noisy environment.
• Work Hours: Standard work schedule; overtime may be necessary for meeting deadlines and emergent conditions.
• Travel Requirements: Up to 10% of the time.
• Physical Demands:
  • Light work that includes moving objects up to 20 pounds.
  • Picking, pinching, typing, or otherwise working primarily with fingers rather than the whole hand or arm.
  • Prolonged periods sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
  • Repeating motions that may include the wrists, hands, and/or fingers.

Benefits

• Competitive compensation package, including free medical options for employees and their families.

U.S. citizenship or permanent residency (green card) is required for this position due to ITAR and government security clearance requirements.