Buyer / Procurement Specialist

Job Summary

The Buyer / Procurement Specialist plans and executes the purchase of materials, components, hardware, outside services, and supplies required to support GMRE defense and aerospace programs. The position owns assigned purchases from requisition through receipt and closeout, balancing cost, schedule, quality, and compliance. Working closely with Planning, Manufacturing, Engineering, Quality, Inventory, Finance, and Program Management, the Buyer maintains material availability and complete, audit‑ready procurement files. The position works with limited supervision within delegated authority and escalates technical, contractual, quality, security, financial, and supply risks as required.

Responsibilities

• Review purchase requisitions, bills of material, drawings, specifications, approved‑source requirements, quantities, need dates, and revision levels before soliciting or placing orders.
• Prepare and issue requests for information, quotation, or proposal; obtain adequate competition when practicable; evaluate supplier responses; and document the basis for supplier selection and applicable FAR, DFARS, DPAS, export‑control, and customer requirements.
• Negotiate price, lead time, delivery, payment terms, minimum order quantities, warranty, and other commercial terms to achieve best value within delegated authority.
• Create and administer accurate purchase orders in the ERP/MRP system, including applicable terms, quality clauses, contract flow‑downs, delivery schedules, and change documentation.
• Manage the complete purchase‑order lifecycle, including supplier acknowledgment, status follow‑up, expedites, changes, receipt and invoice issue resolution, returns, and closeout.
• Maintain current promise dates and purchasing data so production schedules, shortage reports, program forecasts, and cash requirements reflect reliable information.
• Source aerospace interconnect and harness materials such as wire and cable, connectors, contacts and terminals, back shells, splices, sleeving, heat‑shrink products, labels, fasteners, and related assembly hardware.
• Confirm manufacturer part number, specification, revision, approved supplier or manufacturer status, traceability, shelf‑life, and certificate requirements before award.
• Coordinate with Engineering and Quality to resolve part‑number discrepancies, substitutions, source changes, deviations, nonconforming material, and supplier corrective actions; do not authorize technical changes without required approval.
• Develop qualified alternate sources when permitted and monitor supplier delivery, quality, responsiveness, pricing, capacity, and corrective‑action performance.
• Identify and escalate long‑lead, allocation, single/sole‑source, counterfeit‑part, obsolescence, minimum‑buy, and capacity risks that could affect production or program milestones.
• Support supplier onboarding, evaluation, surveillance, and site visits in coordination with Quality and other stakeholders.
• Execute assigned procurements in accordance with GMRE procedures, delegated authority, and prime‑contract requirements.
• Prepare complete procurement files, including competition or source rationale, market research, price analysis, negotiation documentation, representations and certifications, approvals, and required correspondence.
• Perform and document appropriate price analysis; obtain additional review when cost analysis or certified cost or pricing data may be required.
• Apply and verify required contractual, quality, cybersecurity, traceability, and record‑retention flow‑downs with guidance from the appropriate functional authority.
• Support internal audits, customer reviews, and Contractor Purchasing System Review readiness by maintaining accurate, timely, and retrievable records and correcting identified gaps.
• Serve as the primary commercial contact for assigned suppliers; communicate status and risk clearly; and partner with Receiving and Accounts Payable to resolve discrepancies promptly.
• Use data to identify opportunities for cost reduction, lead‑time improvement, supplier consolidation, process standardization, and stronger purchasing controls.
• Perform other related duties consistent with the position's purpose and level of responsibility.

Required Skills and Abilities

• Demonstrated ability to solicit and compare quotes, negotiate commercial terms, perform price analysis, issue and administer purchase orders, and follow orders through delivery and closeout.
• Working knowledge of ERP/MRP systems and proficiency with Microsoft Excel, Outlook, and Word.
• Ability to read and interpret bills of material, manufacturer part numbers, drawings, specifications, revision information, quality notes, and delivery requirements.
• Strong written and verbal communication, negotiation, analytical, organizational, and problem‑solving skills.
• High attention to detail and the ability to manage competing priorities, changing production needs, and time‑sensitive supplier issues with limited supervision.
• Ability to work effectively and professionally with suppliers and cross‑functional teams while protecting confidential and sensitive information.
• Ability to maintain regular attendance and punctuality and to respond appropriately to urgent supplier or production needs.

Education and Experience

• Three or more years of purchasing, procurement, or supply‑chain experience in a manufacturing environment; aerospace, defense, electronics, or another