Tactical Buyer

Job Summary

The Tactical Buyer is responsible for managing day-to-day procurement activities by monitoring demand, issuing RFQs, negotiating pricing, and ensuring timely placement and management of purchase orders to support uninterrupted material flow. The role ensures full compliance with U.S. Government procurement regulations, maintains accurate purchasing data in Oracle, and provides reliable delivery commitments to internal stakeholders.

Job Responsibilities

• Monitor demand daily, issue RFQs promptly, and negotiate pricing to minimize cost increases and support financial performance.
• Place, manage, and expedite purchase orders to ensure material availability, maintaining a clear and accurate PO log and resolving overdue, unconfirmed, or exception driven orders.
• Maintain audit-ready compliance folders and ensure all procurement activities tied to U.S. Government contracts and DPAS rated orders comply with ITAR, EAR, FAR, DPAS, and related regulations, including strict control of technical data and supplier documentation.
• Provide timely and reliable delivery commitments to internal stakeholders.
• Maintain accurate purchasing data—including supplier information, pricing, and lead times—in Oracle.
• Investigate and resolve invoice holds and price/quantity discrepancies to ensure timely payment and prevent supply interruptions.
• Process ECO notifications, communicate updates to suppliers, and update purchase orders to align with revised engineering requirements.
• Process NCRs by coordinating supplier RMAs and ensuring timely RTV transactions.
• Work closely with the Receiving team to resolve RIHOLDs promptly.
• Utilize digital supply chain tools and analytics platforms to enhance efficiency, transparency, and data-driven decision-making.
• Engage the Strategic Procurement team to initiate negotiations on contracts, pricing, and terms to secure competitive, compliant long-term agreements.
• Execute sourcing strategies for assigned commodities to drive cost savings, reduce risk, and strengthen supplier capability.
• Manage supplier relationships within assigned categories by holding regular weekly/monthly calls with critical suppliers to review performance, risks, and open actions, and by reviewing the weekly Open Order Report for all assigned suppliers to ensure on-time delivery and timely issue resolution.
• Support plant inventory targets through effective coordination and collaboration with cross-functional teams.
• Collaborate with planning, production, engineering, and quality teams to support component gating, engineering changes, and resolution of inbound material issues.
• Support plant and divisional project initiatives by contributing to cross-functional efforts, ensuring timely execution of assigned tasks, and providing procurement expertise as needed.

Qualifications

• Basic Qualifications: Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution and 1 year of supply chain experience in a manufacturing environment; OR Associate degree from an accredited institution and 3 years of supply chain experience in a manufacturing environment; OR High School Diploma/GED from an accredited institution and 5 years of supply chain experience in a manufacturing environment.
• Must be authorized to work in the United States without company sponsorship now or in the future.
• No relocation assistance will be provided for this position.
• Only candidates who currently reside within 50 miles of Orchard Park, NY facility will be considered.
• Active-Duty Military Service members are exempt from this geographic requirement.
• This position requires access to information and/or hardware subject to the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR).
• Applicants must qualify as U.S. Persons under ITAR, which includes U.S. Citizens, U.S. Permanent Residents (Green Card holders), Political Asylees, and Refugees.
• Preferred Qualifications: Ability to read and interpret basic engineering drawings and blueprints to verify material requirements, specifications, and supplier deliverables. Proficient Microsoft Office experience. ERP system experience (SAP, Oracle). Skilled experience with negotiation. Ability to communicate effectively. Ability to work under pressure with a strong sense of urgency, effectively prioritizing tasks in a fast-paced, time-sensitive environment.