Outside Services Buyer

Job Description

Job Description

Description:

Athena Manufacturing, LP is a career-minded company that cares about our employees and their success. We invest in all employees by providing the training and skills they need to not only be successful in their occupation but also the opportunity to grow and advance within the company.

Overview: The Outside Services Buyer is responsible for managing Athena Manufacturing's outsourced manufacturing operations, including subcontract machining, waterjet processing, special processes, finishing services, and other outside service providers. This role ensures suppliers meet quality, delivery, and cost expectations while supporting production schedules, customer commitments, and continuous improvement initiatives.

The Buyer serves as the primary liaison between Athena's Supply Chain, Program Management, Quality, Estimating, Production, and external suppliers to proactively manage supplier performance, mitigate risks, and develop scalable sourcing strategies that support business growth.

Key Responsibilities: (include but not limited to): Essential duties and functions, pursuant to the Americans with Disabilities Act, include and are not limited to the following:

Outside Services Management

• Manage all outside service providers, subcontract manufacturers, waterjet suppliers, machining partners, and special process vendors.
• Ensure outsourced operations support production schedules and customer delivery commitments.
• Maintain and update outside service schedules within ERP systems.
• Monitor open outside service orders and ensure all required purchase orders are issued and maintained.
• Coordinate movement of material to and from suppliers to support production schedules.
• Ensure timely receipt and processing of outsourced materials and components.
• Identify potential schedule risks and implement recovery plans to minimize customer impact.

Supplier Performance Management

• Monitor supplier delivery, quality, responsiveness, and overall performance.
• Participate in supplier performance reviews and communicate performance expectations.
• Develop and maintain supplier scorecards and performance metrics.
• Escalate supplier-related risks and concerns to leadership and Program Management.
• Coordinate supplier corrective actions and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Support supplier audits and qualification activities.

Quality & Compliance

• Coordinate Discrepant Vendor Material Reports (DVMRs) and Supplier Corrective Action Requests (SCARs/CARs).
• Work directly with suppliers to resolve quality concerns and obtain corrective actions.
• Ensure supplier compliance with Athena quality requirements.
• Participate in internal audit activities.
• Support compliance with ISO 9001, AS9100, customer-specific requirements, and applicable regulatory standards.
• Maintain accurate supplier documentation and records.

Strategic Sourcing & Cost Management

• Develop sourcing strategies that support quality, delivery, and cost objectives.
• Identify and qualify new suppliers to support growth and capacity requirements.
• Perform supplier cost analysis and support cost reduction initiatives.
• Negotiate pricing, terms, and annual service agreements as directed.
• Support supply chain risk mitigation and supplier diversification efforts.
• Partner with Finance and Accounts Payable to resolve invoice and pricing discrepancies.

Program Management & Estimating Support

• Maintain accurate supplier lead times within ERP routings.
• Communicate lead-time changes to Program Management, Production, and Estimating teams.
• Support Estimating during RFQ and New Product Introduction (NPI) activities by obtaining supplier quotations.
• Participate in estimating and sourcing strategy discussions for outsourced manufacturing opportunities.
• Provide supplier capacity and lead-time information to support customer quoting activities.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Collaborate with Program Management, Quality, Production, Engineering, and Estimating teams.
• Coordinate resolution of supplier-related issues involving damaged, missing, or nonconforming material.
• Support continuous improvement initiatives across the supply chain.
• Drive effective communication between internal stakeholders and external suppliers.

Additional Responsibilities

• Maintain accurate records and data within ERP systems.
• Support Athena Manufacturing's Lean Manufacturing and 2 Second Lean initiatives.
• Participate in departmental and company continuous improvement activities.
• Other duties may be assigned by leadership.

Requirements:

Qualifications: Minimum Preferred Qualifications, pursuant to the Americans with Disabilities Act, include and are not limited to the following:

• Associate degree in Supply Chain, Business, Manufacturing, Engineering, or related field; equivalent experience may be considered.
• Minimum 3 years of experience in purchasing, sourcing, supplier management, manufacturing operations, or supply chain.
• Experience working with outsourced manufacturing suppliers or outside service providers.
• Experience in a manufacturing environment.
• Experience supporting Aerospace, Defense, Semiconductor, or Precision Manufacturing industries.
• Working knowledge of ISO 9001 and/or AS9100 quality systems.
• ERP/MRP system experience.
• Experience with supplier audits, corrective actions, and supplier development programs.
• Lean Manufacturing or Continuous Improvement experience.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Strong supplier relationship management skills.
• Excellent organizational and project management abilities.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.
• Strong negotiation and analytical skills.
• Understanding of manufacturing processes including machining, fabrication, welding, finishing, and assembly operations.
• Ability to interpret manufacturing drawings and specifications.
• Effective verbal and written communication skills.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite and ERP systems.
• Strong attention to detail and follow-through.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS: Essential physical requirements pursuant to the Americans with Disabilities Act, include and are not limited to the following:

• Ability to sit, stand, walk, bend, reach, and use hands throughout the workday.
• Ability to occasionally lift up to 25 pounds.
• Ability to travel locally to supplier locations as required.
• Ability to work in both office and manufacturing environments.

PREFERRED TOOLS AND TECHNOLOGY:

• ERP/MRP Systems (Made2Manage (M2M) preferred)
• Microsoft Excel (Pivot Tables, VLOOKUP/XLOOKUP, data analysis)
• Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Outlook, PowerPoint, Teams)
• Supplier Scorecard and Performance Management Tools
• RFQ and Quoting Platforms
• Purchase Order Management Systems
• Quality Management Systems (QMS)
• AS9100 and ISO 9001 Documentation Systems
• Corrective Action Management Systems (CAR/SCAR)
• Supplier Audit and Vendor Qualification Tools
• Power BI or similar business intelligence/reporting platforms
• SharePoint or document management systems
• Paperless Parts (preferred)
• High QA (preferred)
• Manufacturing scheduling and capacity planning tools

REQUIRED WORK CLOTHING AND PPE: Attire should not interfere with job performance or safety.

• Safety glasses are provided by Athena
• Closed toe safety shoes are required

Athena Manufacturing supports commercial, aerospace, and government customers and is committed to maintaining compliance with applicable information security, export control, and government contract requirements, including the Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) program.

Certain roles may require access to controlled information, systems, or programs that are subject to U.S. government regulations, including export control requirements. As a result, access to specific work, systems, or data may be restricted to individuals who meet applicable regulatory eligibility requirements, including U.S. Person requirements as defined by federal regulations. Eligibility for such access will be determined prior to assignment and may be re-evaluated as business or regulatory needs change.

At Athena Manufacturing , we are dedicated to fostering a culture of continuous improvement through the principles of 2 Second Lean. This approach encourages all team members to identify and implement small, daily improvements that streamline processes, reduce waste, and enhance overall efficiency. We believe that by empowering our employees to take ownership of their workspaces and share their ideas, we can drive innovation, increase productivity, and create a more enjoyable work environment for everyone. Join us as we strive to improve every day, 2 seconds at a time!