Manufacturing Materials Buyer (Aerospace/UAS)

Job Duties & Responsibilities

• Manage end-to-end procurement of manufacturing materials and flight-critical components, from RFQs and supplier selection through purchase order issuance and delivery.
• Use Deltek Costpoint to process purchase requisitions, issue purchase orders, maintain procurement records, and track purchasing activities.
• Sources manufacturing materials and flight-critical components, including avionics, electronic assemblies, sensors, composite materials, machined parts, hardware, fasteners, propulsion components, batteries, wiring harnesses, and related aerospace hardware.
• Evaluate supplier quotations, negotiate pricing, lead times, and commercial terms, and recommend suppliers for inclusion on the approved vendor list.
• Build and maintain strategic supplier relationships while monitoring performance and resolving quality, delivery, and supply issues.
• Identify, evaluate, and qualify new suppliers while maintaining the approved vendor list and developing alternate sources to strengthen the supply base and reduce supply chain risk.
• Partner with the Program Manager, Production Manager, Manufacturing Scheduler, Engineering, and Quality teams to ensure purchased materials meet technical, schedule, quality, and cost requirements.
• Convert engineering bills of material (BOMs) into purchasing BOMs to support manufacturing operations, material traceability, and contract compliance.
• Apply knowledge of FAR, DFARS, ITAR/EAR, and supplier flow-down requirements when supporting federal contract procurement.
• Identify opportunities to reduce material costs, improve supplier performance, and strengthen supply continuity without compromising quality or production schedules.
• May provide guidance and mentoring to less experienced procurement personnel.

Required Experience

• Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Business, Operations, Engineering, or a related field, or equivalent experience.
• Minimum of 3 to 5 years of sourcing, procurement, or purchasing experience supporting aerospace, defense, or other highly regulated manufacturing operations.
• Experience sourcing technical materials and components such as avionics, electronic assemblies, sensors, composite materials, machined parts, hardware, fasteners, propulsion components, batteries, wiring harnesses, and related aerospace hardware.
• Experience using ERP and/or MRP systems.
• Ability to interpret engineering drawings, bills of material (BOMs), and technical specifications.
• Working knowledge of FAR, DFARS, and ITAR/EAR requirements.
• Knowledge of AS9100 and/or ISO 9001 quality management standards.
• Proven negotiation skills and the ability to manage multiple supplier relationships.
• Strong organizational, analytical, communication, and problem-solving skills with excellent attention to detail.
• U.S. Citizenship required. Must be able to successfully complete a criminal background investigation prior to hire.