About the role
Job Summary
The Manufacturing, Production and Procurement (MPP) Buyer is responsible for sourcing and purchasing COTS (Commercial Off-the-Shelf) and non-COTS parts and materials while developing strong, strategic relationships with suppliers. This role requires a strong understanding of supplier capabilities, manufacturing processes, lead times, quality requirements, and commercial considerations to ensure the right materials are purchased at the right cost and delivered when needed.
The Buyer will manage purchases from initial sourcing and purchase order placement through receipt into inventory, proactively addressing delays, shortages, quality issues, and other supplier-related challenges. The Buyer will also manage and track RMAs (Return Material Authorizations) through resolution.
Responsibilities/Duties/Functions/Tasks
1. Develop and maintain strong relationships with suppliers to understand their capabilities, capacity, lead times, quality performance, and areas of expertise. 2. Source and purchase both COTS and non-COTS components, materials, and hardware based on engineering and program requirements. 3. Evaluate supplier capabilities to determine the best source for specific parts, including the ability to manufacture to engineering requirements. 4. Review engineering drawings, specifications, BOMs, and other technical documentation to understand purchasing requirements. 5. Lead supplier selection and qualification activities. 6. Request and evaluate supplier quotes, negotiate pricing and delivery schedules, and issue purchase orders. 7. Ensure purchase orders accurately reflect part numbers, revisions, quantities, specifications, delivery requirements, and applicable quality requirements. 8. Track open purchase orders from placement through receipt into inventory. 9. Work closely with accounting and finance teams to resolve purchasing related documentation and classification issues. 10. Proactively monitor supplier commitments and communicate potential delays or risks to internal stakeholders. 11. Manage supplier shortages, late deliveries, discrepancies, and other issues that could impact production or program schedules. 12. Initiate, manage, and track RMAs through return, supplier disposition, replacement/repair, and final receipt or closure. 13. Maintain accurate purchasing and supplier information within the MRP system. 14. Identify opportunities to reduce cost, improve lead times, increase supplier reliability, and mitigate supply chain risk. 15. Maintain clear documentation and follow purchasing policies, procedures, and applicable quality requirements. 16. Report regularly on KPIs to leadership.
Other Duties
Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for the job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.
Qualifications
Minimum Requirements
* Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain, Business, Operations, or a related field preferred; equivalent experience will be considered. 1. 1-4 years 2. 5-10 years * Experience in purchasing, procurement, materials management, or supply chain. * Experience purchasing both COTS and custom/non-COTS components. * Must be extremely computer literate and agile, strong Costpoint ERP and MS Excel skills is a plus. * Working knowledge of Material Requirements Planning logic a plus. * Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings, specifications, tolerances, and related technical documentation. * Ability to gain strong understanding of supplier capabilities and manufacturing processes. * Must enjoy team collaboration and networking for problem resolution. * Must be detail oriented with the ability to manage multiple tasks at the same time. * Ability to obtain and maintain a security clearance is required.
Essential Mental Requirements
* Strong analytical skills with attention to details. * Excellent written and verbal communication skills. * Problem solving and reasoning skills to assist with resolution of issues. * Strong organizational skills. * Capability to interpret data.
Essential Physical Requirements
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools or controls; reach with hands and arms; talk or hear. The employee must occasionally lift or move office products and supplies, up to 50 pounds.
Equipment/Software/Tools Used
* Computer, copier/printer/fax machine, filing cabinets, label maker and scanner. * Basic computer operating system (Windows); Microsoft Office Applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Visio, Outlook, SharePoint). Costpoint ERP software. Jira & Vault a plus.