Procurement Manager - Aerospace (Mercantile)

Job Description

Job Description

Description:

Position Summary

The Aerospace Procurement Manager is responsible for leading the strategic sourcing, procurement, and supplier management activities that support the production, maintenance, and delivery of aerospace products and services. 

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Procurement & Sourcing

• Develop and execute procurement strategies aligned with aerospace production schedules, customer requirements, and business objectives.
• Lead sourcing initiatives for aerospace materials, machined components, avionics, electronics, raw materials, special processes, tooling, and outsourced services.
• Establish and maintain strategic relationships with key suppliers to ensure long-term supply continuity and competitive pricing.
• Conduct supplier evaluations, RFQs, bid analyses, and contract negotiations.

Supplier Management & Performance

• Manage supplier qualification, onboarding, and performance measurement programs.
• Monitor supplier delivery, quality, responsiveness, and cost performance through established KPIs.
• Partner with Supplier Quality and Engineering teams to resolve supplier nonconformances and corrective actions.
• Conduct supplier business reviews and participate in supplier audits as required.
• Identify and mitigate risks associated with long-lead materials, capacity constraints, geopolitical issues, and supply disruptions.
• Develop inventory and sourcing strategies to support production continuity.

Cost Management & Continuous Improvement

• Lead cost-reduction initiatives through strategic sourcing, supplier negotiations, value engineering, and process improvements.
• Analyze spend data and procurement metrics to identify opportunities for operational efficiencies.
• Support make-versus-buy decisions and supplier consolidation initiatives.
• Drive continuous improvement projects that enhance procurement performance and supply chain resilience.

Leadership & Collaboration

• Lead and develop procurement personnel, buyers, and purchasing specialists.
• Foster cross-functional collaboration between Supply Chain, Engineering, Quality, Manufacturing, and Finance teams.
• Provide procurement status updates and strategic recommendations to senior leadership.

Education

• Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Business Administration, Engineering, Operations Management, or a related field.

Experience

• 7+ years of procurement, sourcing, or supply chain experience in aerospace, aviation, defense, or advanced manufacturing environments.
• Experience negotiating complex supplier agreements and managing strategic supplier relationships. 
• Experience with ERP/MRP systems such as SAP, Oracle, Infor, or Epicor.

Knowledge & Skills

• Working knowledge of AS9100 quality systems and aerospace regulatory requirements.
• Expertise in contract negotiation, supplier management, and cost analysis.
• Ability to interpret engineering drawings, specifications, and technical requirements.
• Strong analytical, project management, and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management abilities.