Buyer II

Crane Aerospace & Electronics supplies critical systems and components to the aerospace and defense markets. Our Fort Walton Beach location, minutes from white-sand beaches, is home to our Defense Power business—a leading supplier of high-power solutions for aerospace and defense applications. You’ll join a trusted, dynamic organization providing custom radar, directed energy, and electric warfare solutions for next-gen military platforms.

About the role

The Buyer II manages all aspects of purchasing components from suppliers to ensure timely delivery of parts supporting production needs. This role serves as the communication and logistics link between Value Streams, Supervisors, Marketing, Master Scheduler, and Purchasing.

Responsibilities

• Perform material requirements planning through coordination with manufacturing personnel and external suppliers to support the Value Stream.
• Communicate priorities and schedule changes to Outside Processing Suppliers daily to align with production requirements.
• Establish and maintain positive working relationships with suppliers; escalate common supplier problems to Leadership, Procurement Specialists, and other Buyers.
• Develop, own, and drive an inventory action plan to maintain proper inventory levels and achieve turns goals for key production components.
• Train value stream support personnel and facilitate the upgrade to a pull-based replenishment system (Kanban) to improve inventory turns and eliminate part shortages.
• Monitor supplier orders to ensure timely shipment supporting the Value Stream.
• Improve supplier fill rates, quality, and lead times to match product mix and needs.
• Obtain quotes from suppliers for production material and Outside Processing operations.
• Negotiate blanket purchase orders and pursue cost reduction initiatives to eliminate adverse Purchase Price Index (PPI).
• Interact with sourcing teams to ensure best practices in procurement, low-cost region sourcing, supplier assessment, and management.
• Publish a daily shortage report to communicate current delivery information from suppliers.
• Resolve invoice discrepancies promptly.
• Manage supplier quality through the Non-Conforming Report (NCR) Process; minimize production impact by addressing discrepant materials with Manufacturing Engineering, Procurement Quality, Supervisors, and Suppliers.
• Work closely with suppliers and Procurement Quality Engineers to resolve Corrective Action Requests (CARs) generated from NCRs.
• Obtain Return Merchandise Authorization (RMA) and process return transactions in Oracle (ERP System); follow the Debit Memo process for supplier rework of discrepant materials.
• Perform additional tasks as assigned by supervisor or management.

Requirements

• 2+ years of experience buying in a similar industry or demonstrated equivalent knowledge of supply chain function through work experience or education.
• In-depth knowledge of the manufacturing process used in the operating unit of assignment.
• Working knowledge of buying and ordering procedures, production planning, material requirements planning, and Kanban systems.
• Working knowledge of computer systems supporting production, such as inventory control, purchasing, production scheduling, and Materials Requirement Planning (MRP).
• Proficiency in Excel and Word; ability to work with Access databases.
• Ability to coordinate materials and production schedules with multiple teams, solve urgent manufacturing problems, and document production outcomes and trends.
• Ability to perform math and logic computations requiring sequencing of times, critical incidents, and numeric information.
• Negotiation skills for changes with vendors and manufacturing teams.
• BA or BS degree in Supply Chain, Business, or Materials-related field desired.
• This role requires access to U.S. export-controlled information. Final offers are contingent on obtaining authorization for access to such information from the U.S. Government.
• As a US Department of Defense contractor, eligibility requirements for access to classified information apply under the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR).

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working in a regulated manufacturing environment.

Working Conditions

• Normal conditions for a manufacturing environment.
• Use of safety equipment may include eye safety glasses, gowning, masks, hearing protectors, heel/wrist straps, and other required PPE.
• Exposure to unusual environmental conditions such as loud noises, cold temperatures, confined spaces, dust, or fumes.
• Occasional travel to support customers.
• Standing: approximately 10% (may vary depending on work task).
• Sitting: approximately 90% (may vary depending on work task).
• Lifting: up to 10 pounds.
• Pushing: up to 10 pounds.
• Mental/Visual: use of computer.
• Workspace: cubicle/desk.

Benefits

• Health care, dental, vision, life, and disability insurance starting the first day of the month.
• 15 days of paid time off accruing from the first day, plus 12 paid holidays per year.
• 401k retirement plan with company match.
• Education reimbursement eligible after 6 months of employment.