Category Buyer - Cowling

About the role

The Category Buyer is a key individual contributor in Mercury’s global direct material procurement organization, focused on highly engineered and complex cowl systems. Reporting to the Category Manager, the buyer develops and executes sourcing and supplier‑management strategies to improve cost competitiveness, quality, delivery, and innovation for Mercury’s global manufacturing operations and product development efforts.

Job details

Location: Fond du Lac, WI · Workplace: Hybrid (3+ days in office per week) · Travel: up to 20% (domestic and international) · Direct reports: Yes · Visa sponsorship: Not available · Relocation assistance: Yes

Responsibilities

• Supplier Management: Build and maintain constructive relationships with suppliers and internal customers; conduct supplier visits and business reviews; facilitate RFQs, analyze quotations, and make selection recommendations; execute purchase orders and requisitions; identify and mitigate supplier risks; drive performance improvement using Mercury’s Supplier Progress Review process; monitor supplier capacity and readiness.
• Project Management: Utilize project‑management tools to ensure timely completion of sourcing, supplier development, and new‑product launch activities; manage change processes; develop and communicate project schedules; coordinate supplier readiness for new products, engineering changes, and production transitions; lead supplier action plans and recovery activities; ensure deliverables align with program timing.
• Cost Management: Conduct detailed analysis of supplier quotations using benchmarks, market data, and should‑cost methodologies; develop cost‑reduction opportunities through collaboration, value analysis, and process improvements; manage tooling lifecycle with suppliers; quantify and recover costs from supplier performance issues; negotiate commercial agreements, pricing adjustments, and tooling investments; support accurate financial reporting and forecasting.
• Collaboration: Engage internal and external stakeholders with integrity and effective communication; participate in cross‑functional discussions; align procurement objectives across functions; proactively communicate concerns and emerging issues; assist the category leader in developing and championing strategies.

Required qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management, Engineering, Operations Management, or a closely related field.
• 5+ years of experience in supply chain management or engineering capacity.
• Strong analytical, financial, project‑management, and communication skills.
• Ability to travel domestically and internationally (approximately 20% of time).

Preferred qualifications

• CPSM and CPIM certifications.
• Lean Six Sigma Green Belt.

Pay

Salary range: $73,600 – $106,200 annually (base pay varies based on knowledge, skills, experience, business needs, and location). Eligible for an annual discretionary bonus.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision coverage
• Paid vacation
• 401(k) with up to 4% company match
• Health Savings Account with company contribution
• Well‑being program
• Product purchase discounts
• Comprehensive benefits package

Schedule

Hybrid work model with at least three days per week in the office; travel required up to 20% of the time.