Buyer

Position Summary

The Buyer is responsible for purchasing materials, components, equipment, and services required to support avionics manufacturing and production operations.

This position works closely with Engineering, Production, Quality, Inventory, and Supply Chain teams to ensure materials are purchased at the appropriate cost, quality, and delivery schedule while maintaining compliance with aerospace quality standards and company purchasing procedures.

Key Responsibilities

• Purchase electronic components, raw materials, hardware, mechanical parts, and manufacturing supplies used in avionics production.
• Review purchase requisitions and issue purchase orders to approved suppliers.
• Obtain and evaluate supplier quotations based on price, quality, availability, lead time, and delivery requirements.
• Negotiate pricing, delivery schedules, minimum order quantities, and purchasing terms with vendors.
• Monitor open purchase orders and follow up with suppliers regarding delivery status.
• Expedite critical materials when necessary to prevent production delays.
• Coordinate with Production Planning and Inventory teams to maintain adequate material availability.
• Work closely with Engineering regarding specifications, drawings, bills of material, and component requirements.
• Assist in identifying alternate suppliers and components when shortages or obsolescence issues occur.
• Maintain accurate purchasing records, supplier documentation, pricing, delivery dates, and purchase-order information.
• Resolve supplier issues involving late deliveries, shortages, damaged materials, incorrect parts, or quality concerns.
• Coordinate with Quality and Incoming Inspection regarding rejected or nonconforming materials.
• Process supplier returns and corrective-action requests when appropriate.
• Review inventory levels and purchasing requirements to reduce excess inventory and material shortages.
• Support cost-reduction and supplier-performance initiatives.
• Maintain relationships with domestic and international suppliers.
• Ensure purchasing activities comply with company quality procedures and applicable aerospace requirements.
• Assist with supplier evaluations, approved-vendor documentation, and purchasing audits.
• Communicate potential material shortages or supply-chain risks to management.
• Support Engineering and Production with prototype, new-product, and special-project purchasing requirements.

Required Qualifications

• High school diploma required; Associate or Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain, Business Administration, Operations, Procurement, or related field preferred.
• 2–5 years of purchasing or buyer experience in a manufacturing environment.
• Aerospace, avionics, electronics, defense, or precision manufacturing experience strongly preferred.
• Experience purchasing electronic components, mechanical parts, raw materials, or production supplies.
• Strong understanding of purchase orders, RFQs, supplier quotations, pricing, and lead times.
• Strong negotiation and vendor-management skills.
• Ability to read and understand part numbers, bills of material, engineering specifications, and purchasing documentation.
• Strong organizational and follow-up skills.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Excel, Outlook, and ERP/MRP systems.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working within an AS9100 or ISO 9001 manufacturing environment.
• Knowledge of aerospace purchasing and supplier-quality requirements.
• Experience purchasing electronic components such as:
• PCBs
• Integrated circuits
• Connectors
• Switches
• Displays
• Wiring components
• Hardware
• Machined parts
• Experience with ERP or MRP purchasing systems.
• Knowledge of supplier qualification and approved-vendor processes.
• Familiarity with material traceability, certificates of conformity, and aerospace documentation.
• Experience managing component shortages and obsolete electronic parts.

Core Competencies

• Purchasing & Procurement
• Aerospace Manufacturing
• Vendor Management
• Supplier Negotiation
• Purchase Orders
• RFQs
• Inventory Control
• Material Planning
• Electronic Components
• ERP / MRP Systems
• Cost Analysis
• Supplier Performance
• Quality Compliance
• Production Support
• Supply Chain Coordination