Buyer

Custom Control Sensors, LLC (CCS) is a global leader in the design, development, manufacturing and supply of pressure, temperature and liquid flow switches and sensors for the Aerospace, Defense and Industrial markets. Since 1957, CCS has provided high-reliability electro-mechanical devices utilizing the DUAL-SNAP action disc spring principle. CCS' Airborne Division supplies standard and custom switches, sensors, and transducers to aerospace, defense, commercial aviation, and government markets, including original PMA parts. The Industrial Division provides pressure and temperature switches, sensors, and transmitters for process control in oil and gas, petrochemical, power generation, steel, tire, automotive, medical, and other industrial applications. CCS is ISO 9001 and AS9100 certified, with additional certifications including UL, CSA, ATEX, GOST, CCC, and IECEx.

About the role

The Buyer executes the purchasing cycle for assigned direct material commodities and suppliers, converting demand signals from the MRP system into placed, confirmed, and delivered purchase orders. The position ensures material arrives on the date the production schedule requires, at the negotiated price, with complete quality and export documentation. The Buyer exercises independent judgment in supplier selection, order quantity and timing decisions, expediting, and resolving pricing, delivery, and quality issues with suppliers.

Responsibilities

• Purchase Order Execution: Convert MRP requirements and requisitions into purchase orders with correct part, revision, quantity, price, and required date. Obtain supplier acknowledgment on every order and reconcile acknowledged dates against need dates. Maintain accurate order dates, quantities, and status in the MRP system.
• Schedule Protection and Expediting: Monitor past due and at-risk purchase orders daily and drive recovery with suppliers. Communicate confirmed recovery dates and residual risk to Planning, Production, and the Supply Chain Manager. Identify alternate sources, partial shipments, premium freight, or substitutions to meet customer commitments. Support shortage resolution in daily production standups.
• Cost and Supplier Performance: Negotiate price, lead time, minimum order quantity, and terms within delegated authority. Track and act on purchase price variance for assigned commodities and identify cost-reduction opportunities. Monitor supplier on-time delivery and quality performance, conduct performance conversations, and escalate chronic underperformance. Support supplier qualification, requalification, and corrective action with Quality and Engineering.
• Compliance and Documentation: Ensure purchase orders include required quality clauses, certification requirements, and flow-down requirements. Verify certificates of conformance, material certifications, and inspection documentation are received with material. Comply with ITAR and export control requirements. Maintain purchase records to AS9100 and ISO 9001 retention and traceability standards.
• Continuous Improvement: Improve item-level planning parameters (lead time, safety stock, order policy, minimum order quantity) based on actual supplier performance. Identify and reduce sources of expediting, premium freight, and excess inventory. Support inventory accuracy, obsolescence review, and disposition of excess material. Participate in continuous improvement events affecting the supply chain.

Competencies

• Order Execution Accuracy: Places and maintains purchase orders with correct part, revision, price, quantity, and date; keeps MRP data accurate.
• Schedule Ownership: Owns the arrival date of assigned material, drives recovery on late orders, and escalates risk early.
• Supplier Negotiation: Negotiates price, lead time, and terms effectively within authority and documents commitments clearly.
• Cost Management: Understands and manages purchase price variance, total landed cost, and the cost consequences of expediting decisions.
• MRP Fluency: Uses the system as the source of truth, understands how planning parameters drive signals, and maintains data integrity.
• Problem Resolution: Resolves pricing, quality, and delivery disputes to closure.
• Attendance: Is present, on time, and ready to work as scheduled; manages planned time off to avoid impacting team commitments.
• Culture: Lives CCS values in daily work; treats people with respect, communicates directly, and supports decisions once made.
• Safety: Works safely, follows all safety rules and procedures, reports hazards, and does not take shortcuts under pressure.
• Compliance: Follows CCS policies, procedures, and quality/export control system requirements; completes required training and keeps accurate records.

Requirements

• Must be a US Person as defined by ITAR (22 CFR 120.15) due to the export-controlled nature of CCS products and technical data.
• Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain, Business, or a related field preferred; equivalent purchasing experience considered.
• Three or more years of purchasing experience in a manufacturing environment (aerospace, defense, or regulated industries preferred).
• Working knowledge of MRP systems and ability to interpret and act on planning signals.
• Demonstrated negotiation experience with suppliers on price, lead time, and terms.
• Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings, specifications, and revision levels.
• Working knowledge of AS9100 or ISO 9001 purchasing requirements (quality clauses, certification requirements) preferred.
• Proficiency in Excel and standard business software.
• APICS CPIM, CSCP, or ISM CPSM certification preferred.

Skills

• Independent judgment in supplier selection, order quantity, and timing decisions.
• Strong problem-solving and dispute-resolution skills.
• Effective communication with suppliers, internal teams, and leadership.
• Attention to detail in order execution, documentation, and compliance.

Benefits

• Medical and dental coverage
• 401k with company match
• Employer-funded life insurance, long-term disability, and short-term disability
• Paid sick leave, vacation, and holidays

Physical Requirements

The physical demands described are representative of those required to perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities.

• Continuous sitting, standing, use of hands and fingers, walking, carrying, climbing, bending, reaching, turning, twisting, pushing, and pulling.
• Occasional lifting and/or moving up to 25 pounds.
• Frequent use of a computer to access, input, and retrieve data.
• Specific vision abilities required: close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, color vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.