Senior Buyer (Aerospace)

About the role

TAT Technologies is a fast-growing, profitable provider of aerospace thermal management, power and actuation products, and repair services. Established in 1969, TAT serves as a global partner to leading aerospace companies, delivering innovative solutions across commercial, defense, OEM, and MRO markets. With employees and operations in the U.S. and Israel, TAT is recognized for its flexibility, technical expertise, and commitment to customer success. TAT Technologies' Tulsa site serves as the company's Center of Excellence for heat transfer manufacturing, MRO, and OEM solutions. Supporting commercial, regional, and military aircraft worldwide, the site delivers advanced thermal management solutions that enhance aircraft performance, improve reliability, and ensure operational and mission readiness.

We are seeking a Senior Buyer who is a highly experienced procurement professional responsible for the strategic management of assigned commodities, suppliers, and critical material requirements. This role goes beyond transactional purchasing and is expected to independently evaluate supply risk, develop sourcing and recovery strategies, negotiate favorable commercial and delivery terms, and proactively protect production requirements. The position partners closely with Operations, Planning/SIOP, Engineering, Quality, Finance, and suppliers to communicate material status, manage recovery efforts, and provide recommendations that support business performance. The Senior Buyer is expected to confidently present risks, actions, and solutions to cross-functional teams and leadership.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute procurement strategies for assigned commodities and suppliers to support production, inventory, cost, and business objectives.
• Manage the end-to-end purchasing process, including supplier selection, sourcing, negotiations, purchase order management, and issue resolution.
• Analyze MRP demand, inventory levels, supplier commitments, and forecast changes to proactively identify and mitigate supply risks, shortages, and excess inventory.
• Lead supplier recovery efforts and negotiate improved pricing, delivery schedules, capacity commitments, payment terms, and other commercial agreements.
• Evaluate supplier performance and implement corrective actions to improve quality, delivery, responsiveness, and overall reliability.
• Identify, qualify, and develop alternate sourcing opportunities while driving cost reduction and risk mitigation initiatives.
• Maintain accurate procurement data, supplier acknowledgments, pricing, lead times, and purchase order schedules to support operational planning.
• Manage inventory exposure through pull-ins, push-outs, cancellations, reschedules, and other actions that balance material availability with working capital objectives.
• Provide clear communication of material status, shortages, risks, recovery plans, and recommendations to cross-functional teams and leadership.
• Partner with Operations, Planning/SIOP, Engineering, Quality, Finance, and suppliers to resolve material issues and support business priorities.
• Support supplier business reviews, continuous improvement initiatives, capacity planning, and supplier development activities.
• Mentor junior buyers and serve as a resource for complex sourcing, supplier, and material management challenges.
• Exercise sound business judgment, escalate significant issues with recommended solutions, and perform other supply chain responsibilities as needed.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain, Business, Operations, or related discipline preferred, or equivalent combination of education and relevant experience.
• 10+ years experience in purchasing, procurement, supply chain, or strategic sourcing within a manufacturing environment.
• Aerospace, aviation, defense, or other highly regulated manufacturing experience preferred.
• Demonstrated experience managing complex suppliers and production material requirements.
• Strong experience in supplier negotiation, expediting, material recovery, sourcing, and supplier performance management.
• Working knowledge of ERP/MRP systems and the ability to interpret purchasing and planning signals.
• Demonstrated ability to analyze data and translate information into procurement actions and business recommendations.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills with the ability to communicate effectively across organizational levels.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently, prioritize multiple critical requirements, and make sound business decisions in a fast-paced environment.

Benefits

• Major Medical, Dental, Vision, and Life insurance.
• 401K with company matching.
• Short-Term Disability (STD), Long-Term Disability (LTD), and accidental coverages.
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP).