Senior Buyer

Founded in 1849, Ducommun is the oldest company in California and a global provider of innovative manufacturing solutions for customers in the aerospace, defense, and industrial markets. Our Appleton, WI facility manufactures state-of-the-art circuit boards for aerospace, defense, industrial, and medical industries.

About the role

The Senior Buyer procures products within assigned planner codes in a timely and cost-effective manner, leading initiatives and projects to resolve quality and delivery concerns while proactively reducing risk to the company.

Responsibilities

• Negotiate best price and value with suppliers while meeting all technical specifications, including performing material quotations for price and delivery.
• Procure products within assigned commodity areas to ensure timely delivery and support manufacturing.
• Evaluate supplier performance, including quality and on-time delivery; create and follow up on corrective actions; resolve supplier issues.
• Participate in production meetings, Quarterly Business Reviews (QBRs) with key suppliers, and cost reduction/business improvement teams.
• Review commodity trends to ensure suppliers adjust costs accordingly and identify cost-reduction opportunities.
• Review MRP exception messages, purchase order status, and order action reports; take action to ensure material availability.
• Identify and reduce long lead times, develop new or alternate sources of supply, and find alternate solutions for obsolete components (with Engineering approval).
• Resolve material price variances and maintain purchasing data (lead times, minimums, multiples, vendor information) in the system.
• Provide training and guidance to new and lower-level buyers on all aspects of purchasing.
• Administer purchase agreements containing confidential and proprietary information; adhere to team member requirements.
• Ensure proper handling and management of hazardous waste generated in the work area.

Requirements

• Five years’ experience in purchasing within a manufacturing environment.
• Advanced computer skills in email, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Access; proficient MRP/ERP system skills.
• Understanding of engineering drawings and flow charts; MRP exposure required.
• Strong communication, interpersonal, and problem-solving skills involving multiple variables and limited standardization.
• Leadership skills, including people management, meeting facilitation, presentation, and customer support.
• Negotiation and conflict management skills with demonstrated experience troubleshooting and problem-solving.
• Excellent written and verbal skills to interact with people at all levels inside and outside Ducommun.
• Ability to multitask efficiently and adapt within a rapidly changing environment.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in Finance, Accounting, or a related discipline.
• Experience purchasing electronic or electrical manufacturing components.
• ISM/APICS certification.