Purchasing Specialist

Job Description

Job Description

Purchasing Specialist

Full-time

Kalamazoo, MI, US

Exclusive confidential search — details shared with qualified applicants.

• Salary range: $80,000 - 95,000
• Bonus: 10%
• Comprehensive medical coverage (including prescription drugs)
• Dental and vision
• Voluntary optional life, accident insurance, hospital indemnity insurance, and critical illness insurance
• 401(k) Plan with company matching contributions at 100% of the first 5% of pay
• Company provided defined-contribution retirement plan with annual contribution equal to 3% of pay
• Career development and tuition reimbursement
• Paid parental leave
• Short- and long-term disability programs
• Adoption assistance
• Care.com membership
• Financial planning assistance
• Supplemental programs (identity protection, legal protection, pet wellness)
• Paid Time Off and up to 15 company-paid holidays
• Employee discounts
• Employee referral program (up to $4,000)
• On-site 24-hour fitness center
• On-site cafeteria with meals and snacks
• Dress for Your Day flexible work attire policy

You will secure critical, high-dollar parts and services that keep production moving and meet stringent aerospace quality requirements. You will partner with engineering, quality, and manufacturing teams and manage source-controlled suppliers to drive on-time delivery and cost performance. This is an onsite role (first shift) in Kalamazoo, MI, working directly with suppliers and cross-functional stakeholders.

• Manage suppliers in a source-controlled aerospace setting to optimize cost, delivery, and lead times
• Identify and qualify suppliers, develop bidders lists, and prepare RFQs/RFPs and statements of work
• Conduct supplier site visits and participate in supplier certification surveys
• Evaluate proposals and select suppliers for complex or technical materials and components
• Negotiate purchase terms, issue purchase orders, and administer procurement contracts
• Monitor supplier performance and implement corrective actions to prevent production delays
• Resolve shipment quality discrepancies and negotiate claims, returns, and engineering changes
• Ensure compliance with company, government, and aerospace procurement requirements
• Prepare reports and analyses on procurement trends and supplier performance
• Lead or participate in continuous improvement projects and cross-functional teams

• Bachelor's degree in Business Administration or a related field
• Six or more years of progressively responsible purchasing/procurement experience
• Experience managing source-controlled suppliers in an aerospace environment
• Thorough knowledge of purchasing and negotiation methods, principles, and concepts
• Knowledge of procurement-related legal and regulatory requirements (government/commercial)
• Proficiency with standard business applications and purchasing/materials systems (e.g., EDI, MRP)
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and communication skills
• Proven ability to negotiate effectively to obtain favorable prices and terms

• Certificate in Purchasing Management (CPM) or APICS
• Experience leading supplier certification and technical quality assessments
• Experience with international suppliers, import/export trade, or global sourcing
• Experience mentoring or providing leadership to other procurement staff
• Familiarity with continuous improvement methodologies

$80,000 - $95,000/year

This role may fill quickly. Submit your resume to be considered.

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