Buyer

About the Opportunity

We are seeking an experienced Senior Buyer to join a growing aerospace and defense manufacturing organization in Columbus, Mississippi. This is an excellent opportunity for a procurement professional who wants more than a transactional purchasing role. You will have significant ownership over strategic sourcing, supplier negotiations, cost reduction, supplier performance, and material availability for complex, highly engineered products supporting demanding aerospace and defense programs.

You will work closely with Engineering, Quality, Production, and other key stakeholders to develop sourcing strategies, strengthen the supply base, reduce costs, mitigate risk, and ensure critical materials and components are available when needed.

What You'll Do

• Develop and execute strategic sourcing plans for materials, components, subassemblies, and design-to-specification items
• Identify, evaluate, qualify, and develop suppliers capable of meeting demanding quality, delivery, cost, and compliance requirements
• Lead supplier negotiations involving pricing, contracts, lead times, terms, and commercial conditions
• Drive measurable cost-reduction and cost-avoidance initiatives across assigned categories
• Manage the complete procurement lifecycle, including RFQs, supplier selection, purchase orders, expediting, and order follow-up
• Build strong relationships with key suppliers while holding them accountable for quality, delivery, cost, and responsiveness
• Monitor supplier performance and work with suppliers and internal teams to resolve delivery, quality, or capacity issues
• Partner directly with Engineering, Quality, Production, and Logistics to support production requirements and new or changing program needs
• Help optimize inventory levels while reducing excess, shortages, and obsolescence
• Maintain procurement documentation and records required for audits and regulatory compliance
• Support purchasing activities governed by FAR, DFARS, ITAR, and other aerospace and defense requirements
• Identify opportunities to improve procurement processes, supplier performance, and overall supply-chain efficiency
• Provide guidance and mentorship to junior members of the purchasing team

What We're Looking For

• 5+ years of purchasing, procurement, or strategic sourcing experience, preferably within aerospace, defense, or another highly regulated manufacturing environment
• Proven experience managing suppliers for complex or highly engineered materials and components
• Demonstrated success negotiating with suppliers and delivering material or component cost reductions
• Strong understanding of strategic sourcing, supplier management, RFQs, purchase orders, and contract negotiations
• Knowledge of FAR, DFARS, and ITAR requirements is strongly preferred
• Experience working with ERP/MRP systems such as SAP, Oracle, or comparable platforms
• Ability to work effectively with Engineering, Quality, Manufacturing, and other cross-functional teams
• Strong analytical, negotiation, communication, and problem-solving skills
• Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Business, Engineering, or a related discipline preferred
• APICS or ISM certifications such as CPSM or CPIM are a plus

Why This Opportunity?

This role offers the chance to have a direct impact on both the supply chain and the success of complex aerospace and defense programs. You'll have the opportunity to:

• Take ownership of important supplier relationships and sourcing decisions
• Lead negotiations instead of simply processing purchase orders
• Drive visible cost savings and supplier performance improvements
• Work directly with Engineering, Quality, and Manufacturing
• Source highly engineered products in a challenging, regulated environment
• Help improve and strengthen the procurement organization as the business grows
• Build deeper experience within the aerospace and defense industry