Senior Buyer

Senior Buyer

The Senior Buyer will serve as a strategic procurement expert, leading the end-to-end sourcing and purchasing of composite materials for our aerospace manufacturing operations. This role requires an understanding of composite materials, aerospace quality standards, and complex supply chain management. The ideal candidate will leverage their experience to optimize procurement processes, negotiate favorable contracts, mitigate supply chain risks, and drive cost-saving initiatives.

Essential Job Duties and Responsibilities

• Procure direct and indirect raw materials, components, and services for manufacturing and maintenance, repair, and operations (MRO) while maintaining current and accurate purchase order data in the purchasing system (e.g. delivery dates, pricing, change orders)
• Develop and implement strategic sourcing plans for raw composite materials (e.g., carbon fiber, resins, prepregs) and related components.
• Negotiate long-term agreements (LTAs) with material suppliers to secure optimal terms for price, quality, and delivery. Effectively manage all contracts throughout their lifecycle.
• Negotiate best terms (price, delivery and payment terms) with suppliers, while maintaining efficient output of purchase orders, to reach highest quality at best value.
• Establish and maintain strong, collaborative relationships with key suppliers. Monitor supplier performance using key performance indicators (KPIs) and drive continuous improvement activities to enhance on-time delivery, quality, and responsiveness.
• Proactively identify and mitigate supply chain risks, including managing single-source dependencies, supply disruptions, and cost volatility in the composite materials market.
• Partner with engineering, quality assurance, and production teams to support new product introductions (NPI) and ensure sourcing strategies meet technical and program requirements.
• Conduct detailed spend analysis and market research to identify and execute cost-saving initiatives.
• Ensure all procurement activities comply with strict aerospace industry standards, including AS9100 and ISO 9001. Maintain full compliance with export control regulations such as ITAR / EAR.
• Utilize experience with lean manufacturing and continuous improvement principles to evaluate and improve current procurement processes and practices.
• Other responsibilities as assigned

Required Skills

Demonstrated experience procuring raw composite materials such as prepregs, carbon fiber, and resins, as well as an understanding of the associated manufacturing processes (e.g., lay-up, curing).

Ability to read and interpret complex technical drawings, blueprints, and material specifications. Experience collaborating with engineers on material requirements.

In-depth working knowledge of aerospace quality standards (AS9100) and regulatory requirements (ITAR, DFARS, FAR).

Advanced proficiency with ERP / MRP systems (Syteline preferred) for procurement, inventory management, and demand analysis.

Advanced proficiency with Microsoft Excel is required for procurement, inventory management, and demand analysis. This includes expertise in the following areas : PivotTables, VLOOKUP / INDEX-MATCH, and Power Query.

Certifications from organizations such as APICS (CPIM) or ISM (CPSM) are highly desirable.

Strong analytical, problem-solving, and negotiation skills with a proven track record of achieving cost reductions and supply chain efficiencies.

Excellent verbal and written communication skills with the ability to influence and build relationships with suppliers and cross-functional teams.

Required Experience

Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Business Administration, Engineering, or a related technical field is required. A master's degree or advanced certification is a plus.

7 years of progressive procurement experience, with a minimum of 5 years specifically in the composite or aerospace industry.