Buyer

Job Summary

The Buyer is responsible for managing supplier relationships, procurement activities, and material planning to support production and customer delivery requirements. This role drives supply chain performance through strategic sourcing, cost reduction, inventory optimization, supplier risk management, and on-time delivery. The successful candidate will partner closely with Manufacturing, Quality, and Strategic Sourcing teams to ensure material availability, maximize operational efficiency, and support business growth while maintaining compliance with company policies and government regulations.

Job Duties & Responsibilities

• Manage procurement and planning activities for assigned commodities to support production schedules and customer requirements.
• Analyze material demand, inventory levels, forecasts, and production requirements to determine purchasing needs.
• Create and manage RFQs/RFPs, evaluate supplier quotations, negotiate pricing and terms, and issue purchase orders.
• Develop and maintain strong supplier relationships to improve quality, delivery, cost, and responsiveness.
• Monitor supplier performance and resolve delivery, quality, commercial, and technical issues.
• Identify and develop alternate sources of supply to mitigate risk and improve competitiveness.
• Manage subcontractors and supplier agreements to ensure compliance with cost, quality, schedule, and contractual requirements.
• Collaborate with Manufacturing, Quality, and Operations teams to ensure uninterrupted material flow and achievement of production goals.
• Review customer orders against forecasts and material availability, communicating supply constraints and recovery plans as needed.
• Maintain accurate procurement and supplier data within the ERP/MRP system.
• Ensure compliance with company policies, quality requirements, and applicable government procurement regulations.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives focused on cost reduction, supplier performance, inventory optimization, and lead-time reduction.
• Analyze supply chain metrics and recommend actions to improve efficiency, cash flow, inventory turns, and total cost of ownership.
• Support strategic sourcing initiatives, including supplier selection, contract reviews, cost savings projects, and negotiation strategies.
• Assist in developing standardized processes, procedures, and work instructions across business units.
• Participate in cross-functional initiatives to improve supply chain performance and support business objectives.

Job Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain, Business, Engineering, Operations, or a related field required.
• Minimum 2 years of purchasing, planning, procurement, or supply chain experience in a manufacturing environment.
• Experience using ERP/MRP systems for procurement, planning, and inventory management.
• Knowledge of supplier management, sourcing, negotiations, and inventory control principles.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with proficiency in data analysis and decision-making.
• Experience with SAP preferred.
• Knowledge of FAR/DFARS regulations preferred.
• APICS certification (CPIM, CSCP, or equivalent) preferred.
• Excellent communication, negotiation, and relationship management skills.
• Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced, cross-functional manufacturing environment.

About Teledyne FLIR Defense

Join Teledyne FLIR Defense, where we're dedicated to supporting critical missions with an exciting range of cutting-edge technologies. Our products include advanced surveillance sensors, unmanned air and ground vehicles, sensing devices used to detect chemicals, biological agents, radiation and explosives, and a host of other solutions that help warfighters, first responders, and search-and-rescue teams do their jobs better. We're looking for passionate innovators eager to shape the future of the Defense and Public Safety industries. If you're mission-driven to globally collaborate on solutions that can change the battlefield and save lives, we invite you to explore our current opportunities.