Buyer - Supply Chain Procurement

Worker Type Regular

Job Description

Summary
The Buyer III performs procurement duties related to the purchasing of services, supplies and equipment in accordance to policies and regulations. In this role, one reviews and analyzes purchase requisitions as well as coordinates purchasing activities with manufacturing, planning and engineering departments to acquire inventory in a cost effective and timely manner. The Buyer purchases requisitions, purchases change orders and requests for quotes to suppliers.

This role is responsible for sourcing, negotiating, and managing the procurement of materials, components, equipment, and services in support of development, integration, and production activities. The position works closely with Engineering, Program Management, Operations, and Quality to ensure on-time, cost-effective, and compliant material availability.

Position Responsibilities

• Monitors the cost, schedule and scope of assigned subcontracts to negotiate terms and pricing for increasingly larger, complex and difficult materials and services
• Monitors supplier performance and supports corrective actions to address delivery, quality, or service issues
• Develops new supply sources where vendors and suppliers are no longer competitive
• Manages and develops supplier relationships to reduce costs, improve & maintain quality, and ensure on-time delivery of purchased materials
• Negotiates terms and pricing for increasingly larger, complex and difficult materials and services
• Partners with cross-functional teams to align procurement plans with program schedules and budgets
• Writes and completes RFQ/RFP package
• Works with finance to resolve Accounting discrepancies in a timely manner, work on procurement/material projects as assigned by the Supply Chain Manager
• Ensures compliance with AV policies, customer requirements, and applicable regulations (e.g., FAR/DFARS, ITAR/EAR)
• Monitors site activities associated with Asset Management Lifecycle Business Systems to ensure company, customer, and US Government assets accountable to the company, or within its possession, are controlled and maintained in accordance with applicable regulations, company policies and procedures
• Maintains accurate procurement documentation and supports internal and external audits
• Works on problems of diverse scope where analysis of data requires evaluation of identifiable factors. Demonstrates good judgment in selecting methods and techniques for obtaining solutions
• Supports proposals and new business with pricing, lead-time, and sourcing inputs, including make/buy recommendations.
• Identifies and helps manage long-lead, single/sole-source, and obsolescence risks
• Other duties as assigned

Basic Qualifications (Required Skills & Experience)

• AS/AA Degree in Business, Finance, Accounting or related discipline is required or equivalent combination of experience and education
• Minimum 5 - 8 years of related experience
• Experienced negotiating terms and pricing for materials and services
• Experienced reading and comprehending drawing specification sheets
• Demonstrated proficiency using MS Office Suite (Word, Access, PowerPoint, Excel)
• Demonstrated technical knowledge regarding manufacturing processes of an assigned commodity and demonstrates experience with purchasing practices & processes in manufacturing & engineering environments
• Demonstrated understanding and intermediate usage of computerized MRP / ERP systems

Preferred Qualifications (Desired Skills & Experience)

• Certification for purchasing or supply chain professionals required (APICS or ISM certification preferred)
• B.S. Degree in Business, Finance, Accounted or related discipline preferred
• Demonstrates effective problem-solving, mathematical, time management, interpersonal and communication skills
• Highly organized and strong coordination skills to meet deadlines
• Resolves a wide range of issues in creative ways. Has a complete understanding and demonstrated knowledge of procurement concepts, methods and procedures
• Normally receives little instruction on day-to-day work and general instruction on new assignments
• Able to excel in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment, where small teams share a broad variety of duties
• Displays strong initiative and drive to accomplish goals and meet company objectives
• Takes ownership and responsibility for current and past work products
• Is committed to learning from mistakes and driven to improve and enhance performance of oneself, others, and the company

Physical Demands

• Ability to work in an office and manufacturing environment (Constant)
• Required to sit and stand for long periods (Frequent)
• Required to talk, hear, and use hands and fingers to operate a computer and telephone keyboard (Frequent)
• Able to lift up to 10 lbs. and carry objects of varying sizes and shapes (Occasional)

Clearance Level

The salary range for this role is:

AeroVironment considers several factors when extending an offer, including but not limited to, the location, the role and associated responsibilities, a candidate’s work experience, education/training, and key skills.

ITAR Requirement:

This position requires access to information that is subject to compliance with the International Traffic Arms Regulations (“ITAR”) and/or the Export Administration Regulations (“EAR”). In order to comply with the requirements of the ITAR and/or the EAR, applicants must qualify as a U.S. person under the ITAR and the EAR, or a person to be approved for an export license by the governing agency whose technology comes under its jurisdiction. Please understand that any job offer that requires approval of an export license will be conditional on AeroVironment’s determination that it will be able to obtain an export license in a time frame consistent with AeroVironment’s business requirements. A “U.S. person” according to the ITAR definition is a U.S. citizen, U.S. lawful permanent resident (green card holder), or protected individual such as a refugee or asylee. See 22 CFR § 120.15. Some positions will require current U.S. Citizenship due to contract requirements.

Benefits : AV offers an excellent benefits package including medical, dental vision, 401K with company matching, a 9/80 work schedule and a paid holiday shutdown. For more information about our company benefit offerings please visit:

We also encourage you to review our company website at to learn more about us.

Principals only need apply. NO agencies please.

About AV:

AV isn’t for everyone. We hire the curious, the relentless, the mission-obsessed. The best of the best.

We don’t just build defense technology—we redefine what’s possible. As the premier autonomous systems company in the U.S., AV delivers breakthrough capabilities across air, land, sea, space, and cyber. From AI-powered drones and loitering munitions to integrated autonomy and space resilience, our technologies shape the future of warfare and protect those who serve.

Founded by legendary innovator Dr. Paul MacCready, AV has spent over 50 years pushing the boundaries of what unmanned systems can do. Our heritage includes seven platforms in the Smithsonian—but we’re not building history, we’re building what’s next.

If you're ready to build technology that matters—with speed, scale, and purpose—there’s no better place to do it than AV.

We are proud to be an EEO/AA Equal Opportunity Employer, including disability/veterans. AeroVironment, Inc. is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) employer and welcomes all qualified applicants. Qualified applicants will receive fair and impartial consideration without regard to race, sex, color, religion, national origin, age, disability, protected veteran status, genetic data, sexual orientation, gender identity or other legally protected status.

ITAR