Senior Buyer

Senior Buyer - Lorton, VA or Franklin, MA

Hybrid role - remote 2-3 days a week

Check you match the skill requirements for this role, as well as associated experience, then apply with your CV below.

The Senior Buyer will play a critical role in a fast-paced manufacturing environment, driving strategic sourcing decisions, strengthening supplier performance, and partnering closely with engineering, operations, quality, and program teams. This role requires a proactive, analytical, and highly collaborative individual who can manage multiple commodity categories, anticipate supply-chain risks, and deliver long-term value to the business.

Key Responsibilities

• Strategic Sourcing & Category Management
• Develop and execute sourcing strategies that support production schedules, engineering roadmaps, and long-term business objectives.
• Manage supply bases across multiple categories, ensuring competitiveness, continuity, and alignment with technical and operational requirements.
• Conduct market analysis to identify emerging suppliers, technologies, and cost-reduction opportunities.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration
• Partner closely with engineering, operations, quality, and program management to translate technical requirements into actionable procurement strategies.
• Participate in design reviews, production readiness meetings, and cross-functional problem-solving sessions.
• Serve as a key liaison between internal stakeholders and suppliers to ensure alignment on priorities, timelines, and deliverables.
• Supplier Negotiation & Performance Management
• Negotiate and execute purchase orders and long-term agreements that secure favorable terms while maintaining quality and schedule integrity.
• Perform detailed price/cost analysis and support should-cost modeling where necessary.
• Drive supplier accountability through performance metrics, corrective actions, and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Execution & Compliance
• Ensure timely delivery of materials and services in support of production and program milestones.
• Maintain strict compliance with FAR/DFARS, CPSR requirements, and internal procurement policies.
• Utilize Costpoint ERP to manage requisitions, POs, supplier data, and reporting.

Required Qualifications

• 7+ years of procurement/purchasing experience, including 3+ years in a senior role managing complex procurement activities.
• Strong understanding of manufacturing environments, production workflows, and supply-chain dependencies.
• Demonstrated experience supporting fast-paced, high-accountability operations.
• Working knowledge of CPSR requirements and FAR/DFARS compliance.
• Proficiency with Costpoint ERP.
• Excellent communication, negotiation, analytical, and relationship-building skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• Strategic mindset with the ability to anticipate risks, identify opportunities, and drive long-term solutions.
• Strong problem-solving skills and the ability to manage multiple priorities simultaneously. xhyhwjd
• Ability to work independently while maintaining strong alignment with cross-functional teams.
• Experience managing suppliers across multiple commodity categories (mechanical, electrical, PCBA, machining, services, etc.).