Procurement Associate

Title: Senior Procurement Specialist Company: Heven AeroTech Location: Sterling, Virginia FLSA: Exempt About Our Company: At Heven AeroTech (Heven), we don’t just believe in the power of people—we build our success on it. As a recognized leader in hydrogen powered drones, we’ve earned recognition for creating a workplace where innovation thrives, collaboration is second nature, and every employee feels valued. Our culture is anchored in trust, and a shared commitment to excellence. We know that great organizations are built by extraordinary teams. That’s why we invest in your professional growth, offering robust training programs, leadership development opportunities, and a clear pathway for advancement. At Heven, your voice matters, your ideas are heard, and your contributions make a tangible impact. Role Summary: The Senior Procurement Specialist is responsible for planning, sourcing, purchasing, and managing materials, components, and services required for equipment production. This role ensures uninterrupted manufacturing operations by building reliable supplier relationships, optimizing inventory, controlling costs, maintaining quality, compliance, and on-time delivery across the supply chain. The position plays a critical role in supporting production schedules, scaling manufacturing, and driving continuous improvement across procurement and supply chain processes. Develop and execute procurement strategies for raw materials, components, subassemblies, and production services Identify, qualify, and manage domestic and international suppliers Lead RFQs, contract negotiations, pricing agreements, and long-term supply agreements Ensure best value sourcing while balancing cost, quality, lead time, and risk Maintain approved vendor lists and supplier performance metrics Coordinate closely with engineering, manufacturing, and quality teams to support equipment builds Manage lead times, capacity constraints, and supply risks Support new product introductions (NPI) and production ramp-ups Implement mitigation strategies for supply disruptions and shortages Ensure suppliers meet technical, quality, and regulatory requirements Support supplier audits, corrective actions, and continuous improvement initiatives Ensure compliance with contractual, regulatory, and industry standards Manage supply chain risk assessments and contingency planning Track and report procurement KPIs (cost savings, OTIF delivery, inventory turns, supplier performance) Identify cost reduction and process improvement opportunities Improve procurement workflows, tools, and systems Support make/buy decisions and total cost of ownership analysis Qualifications & Experience: Required: Bachelor’s degree in supply chain management, Business, Engineering, Operations, or related field 5+ years of experience in procurement within a manufacturing or equipment production environment Strong experience sourcing mechanical, electrical, or fabricated components Proven negotiation and supplier management skills Experience working with ERP/MRP systems Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving abilities Preferred: Experience in aerospace, robotics, defense, automotive, or complex equipment manufacturing Knowledge of contract manufacturing and build-to-print suppliers Familiarity with quality systems and supplier audits CFCM or similar certification Experience supporting rapid production scaling or startup environments Physical Requirements: Combination of office and manufacturing floor environment Occasional travel to supplier facilities Fast-paced production setting with evolving priorities Benefits Overview: Heven AeroTech offers a competitive benefits package designed to support the health, financial security, and overall well-being of our employees and their families. Benefits include medical, dental, and vision coverage, retirement plans, paid time off/sick, and additional protections such as critical illness, hospital indemnity, accident coverage, and short- and long-term disability. Equal Employment Opportunity Statement: Heven AeroTech is an Equal Opportunity Employer and considers all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other protected characteristic under applicable law. $85,000 - $125,000 USD #J-18808-Ljbffr