Senior Buyer – Aerospace Manufacturing

Mayhew, MS 39753 | Full-time, permanent

About the Role

A confidential aerospace and defense manufacturer is seeking an experienced Senior Buyer to support procurement and strategic-sourcing activities for technically complex manufacturing programs. This opportunity is ideal for a purchasing professional with experience supporting manufacturing operations who is ready to take greater ownership of supplier relationships, negotiations, cost-reduction initiatives, material availability, and purchasing strategy. The Senior Buyer will manage the complete procurement cycle for assigned materials, components, subassemblies, and design-to-specification products while partnering closely with Engineering, Quality, Production, Planning, and Logistics.

Responsibilities

• Manage sourcing and purchasing activities for assigned materials, components, and subassemblies.
• Identify, evaluate, qualify, and develop suppliers.
• Prepare and issue requests for quotation and evaluate supplier proposals.
• Negotiate pricing, payment terms, lead times, and commercial conditions.
• Generate and manage purchase orders from placement through delivery.
• Track open orders and address shortages, delays, and supplier issues.
• Support measurable cost-reduction and cost-avoidance initiatives.
• Monitor supplier performance related to quality, delivery, cost, and responsiveness.
• Partner with Engineering and Quality on technical requirements and supplier corrective actions.
• Support inventory optimization while reducing excess and obsolete materials.
• Maintain accurate purchasing documentation for audits and reporting.
• Follow applicable aerospace, defense, import/export, and government-contract requirements.
• Provide guidance and support to junior purchasing-team members.

Requirements

• Five or more years of procurement, purchasing, sourcing, or supply-chain experience.
• Experience supporting a manufacturing or production environment.
• Strong supplier-negotiation and relationship-management skills.
• Experience purchasing technical materials, components, subassemblies, or engineered products.
• Proven ability to identify cost savings and improve commercial terms.
• Experience managing RFQs, purchase orders, lead times, and supplier delivery commitments.
• Familiarity with ERP or MRP systems.
• Strong analytical, communication, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to work onsite within the Columbus, Mississippi area.

Preferred Qualifications

• Aerospace, defense, aviation, military, or government-contract manufacturing experience.
• Knowledge of ITAR, FAR, or DFARS requirements.
• Experience with SAP, Oracle, or a comparable ERP platform.
• Experience purchasing electronics, sensors, machined components, aerospace materials, or technical subassemblies.
• Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management, Business, Engineering, or a related field.
• CPSM, CPIM, CSCP, APICS, or ISM certification.
• Experience mentoring or training junior buyers.

Benefits

• Support specialized aerospace and defense programs.
• Take ownership of important supplier relationships.
• Work directly with Engineering, Quality, and Production.
• Lead sourcing and cost-reduction initiatives.
• Build deeper experience within a highly regulated industry.
• Make a visible impact on cost, quality, delivery, and production performance.

Pay

$75,000–$85,000 annually