Senior Buyer

About the role

Since 2018, Elevate Aircraft Seating has been enhancing the passenger experience through innovative aircraft seat design and manufacturing. With locations in California, Washington, and Germany we are guided by creativity, collaboration, and a shared commitment to quality. We are looking for a skilled Senior Buyer to join our team in Huntington Beach, CA. This is an on-site position based in Huntington Beach, CA. We value teamwork, inclusivity, and continuous professional development, and we offer competitive benefits along with opportunities for growth.

Responsibilities

• Evaluate and monitor supplier performance and risk by assessing suppliers’ ability to meet quality and delivery requirements through on-site visits, performance measurements, supplier audits, and readiness assessments.
• Establish, build, and maintain relationships with all key suppliers using independent judgment.
• Arrange supplier meetings to review and resolve issues such as On-Time Delivery, Quality, Pricing, or other problems as needed.
• Collaborate with departments such as Supplier Quality, Planning, Engineering, Quality Assurance, and Production to identify and qualify new suppliers.
• Negotiate pricing, contracts, and payment terms with suppliers, focusing on long-term buying agreements to maximize savings.
• Drive positive performance trends for both external suppliers and internal processes through continuous improvement using metrics and root cause analysis.
• Work with multiple departments to solve problems related to Engineering, Planning, Receiving, and Quality.
• Recommend system improvements to enhance day-to-day work functionality.
• Make daily purchases within allotted programs based on requisitions and analyze quality, specifications, and delivery requirements.
• Use independent judgment to send out quotations for bids on non-contracted items, negotiate best price, and select suppliers to award purchase orders.
• Enter purchase orders into the system and issue to suppliers via fax or email.
• Review purchase orders weekly via reporting system, follow up on past due items, and highlight problem areas to the Purchasing Director.
• Interact with Planning and Production to ensure changes in production requirements are communicated to suppliers.
• Liaise with planners to control scheduling of parts to ensure stock levels meet demands while staying within stock level buffers.
• Review Non-Conformance Reports (NCRs)/Withhold tags written against suppliers and relay information to them with corrective action.
• Update suppliers with engineering changes and drawings.
• Locate new suppliers when necessary.
• Coordinate with Supplier Quality and Quality Assurance to ensure all suppliers remain in good standing on the approved supplier list.
• Monitor the performance of procurement activities such as PO placement and non-conformance dispositions, and work with the purchasing department to make necessary improvements.
• Track material procurement status of all projects for progress, schedule, and performance; prepare and communicate information to all necessary personnel on pertinent issues and concerns regarding suppliers, raw materials, and finished goods.
• Implement and maintain Key Performance Indicators (KPIs).
• Maintain a safe, secure, and legal work environment, adhering to all Company policies and procedures.
• Contribute to team effort by accomplishing related results as needed.
• Maintain and protect the confidentiality of the Company’s information and products.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent work experience is required.
• 3–5+ years of direct experience in procurement or supply chain management.
• Must be authorized to work in the United States.

Skills

• Ability to communicate effectively in English, both verbally and in writing.
• Strong negotiation and relationship-building skills.
• Experience with supplier performance measurement, audits, and continuous improvement methodologies.
• Proficiency in using procurement systems and tools for PO placement, tracking, and reporting.

Benefits

• Up to 7% bonus potential (for bonus eligible positions).
• Generous 401(k) matching with immediate eligibility and vesting.
• 3 weeks of Paid Time Off.
• 12 paid holidays.
• Affordable health care plans for yourself and your family.

Pay

The base pay offered will vary depending on job-related knowledge, skills, location, experience and take into account internal equity. Salary Range Transparency: $90,000 – $115,000 annually.

Other Perks

• On-site gym.
• Free electric car charging stations.
• Potential for growth within organization.
• Supportive workplace environment with a team-oriented culture.