Procurement Specialist - Machine Parts and Machining

Procurement Specialist Machine Parts & Machining

AeroSpec, Inc. offers a unique opportunity for procurement professionals to work closely with our engineering and manufacturing teams while developing expertise in machine components, fabrication, machine shop sourcing, and technical purchasing. The Procurement Specialist plays a critical role in the development of Automated Assembly and Test Systems at AeroSpec. This position is responsible for sourcing and purchasing precision-machined parts, fabricated components, mechanical hardware, and other custom-manufactured items directly from qualified suppliers and machine shops. The Procurement Specialist works closely with mechanical and electrical design engineers to understand drawings, specifications, materials, tolerances, finishes, and manufacturing requirements. This position requires the ability to evaluate supplier capabilities, obtain and compare quotes, identify potential manufacturing risks, establish realistic delivery commitments, and proactively expedite parts when needed. The ideal candidate is comfortable working with machine shops, fabrication suppliers, specialty manufacturers, and technical vendors and enjoys solving challenging procurement and manufacturing problems.

Essential Functions

• Purchase machined parts, precision components, fabricated parts, mechanical hardware, assemblies, and equipment.
• Research and identify qualified machine shops and manufacturing suppliers based on capabilities, quality, capacity, pricing, and lead time.
• Review engineering drawings, specifications, Bills of Materials, and models to understand manufacturing requirements.
• Evaluate materials, tolerances, finishes, coatings, plating, heat treatment, and other technical requirements when sourcing components.
• Obtain, analyze, and negotiate supplier quotations for machined and manufactured components.
• Provide engineering with cost, lead-time, manufacturing, and supplier capability feedback during the design process.
• Identify potential manufacturing or procurement risks and recommend alternate suppliers, processes, materials, or sourcing strategies when appropriate.
• Develop and maintain strong relationships with machine shops and key manufacturing suppliers.
• Create and issue purchase orders from engineering Bills of Materials and requisitions.
• Review purchase orders and requisitions for accuracy, pricing, quantities, specifications, and required delivery dates.
• Establish supplier commitment dates and proactively monitor orders to ensure parts are delivered on schedule.
• Expedite late or at-risk orders and communicate delivery impacts to the appropriate project teams.
• Work directly with suppliers to resolve issues involving drawings, tolerances, material availability, manufacturing processes, quality, pricing, and delivery.
• Assist Engineering and Quality with supplier-related technical and quality issues.
• Evaluate existing and potential machine shops based on capability, quality, pricing, responsiveness, capacity, and delivery performance.
• Assist Quality Assurance with annual supplier performance evaluations.
• Support the qualification and development of new machine shops and manufacturing suppliers.
• Maintain accurate purchasing and supplier information within the ERP system.
• Participate in engineering, manufacturing, and procurement meetings to identify material and supplier risks.
• Stay current on machining processes, manufacturing capabilities, materials, finishes, and industry trends.

Required Skills and Experience

• Bachelor's degree in supply chain, business administration, engineering, or a related field.
• Minimum of 4 years of technical procurement or purchasing experience.
• 2 years of manufacturing or machine shop experience preferred.
• Demonstrated experience purchasing machined parts, fabricated components, or other custom-manufactured parts.
• Ability to read and understand engineering drawings, dimensions, tolerances, and technical specifications.
• Basic ability to interpret and visualize 3D CAD models and drawings.
• Working knowledge of common manufacturing processes, such as:
• CNC milling
• CNC turning
• Grinding
• Sheet metal fabrication
• Welding
• Wire EDM
• Laser cutting
• Waterjet cutting
• Forming and bending
• Understanding of common materials and manufacturing finishes.
• Ability to evaluate supplier capabilities and determine whether a machine shop is appropriately qualified for a specific part.
• Strong negotiation and supplier relationship skills.
• Demonstrated success with expediting and managing critical-path machine parts.
• Strong problem-solving skills with the ability to resolve challenging technical procurement issues.
• Proficient in ERP systems.
• Proficient in Microsoft Excel.
• Strong communication skills, with the ability to work effectively with engineers, machinists, quality personnel, project managers, and suppliers.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working directly with CNC machine shops and contract manufacturers.
• Engineering or manufacturing experience.
• Experience reviewing machining quotations and identifying cost drivers.
• Experience sourcing prototype, low-volume, and high-mix machined components.
• Knowledge of GD&T.
• Experience with inspection reports, CMM requirements, and quality documentation.
• Experience sourcing specialty processes, such as anodizing, plating, heat treating, passivation, powder coating, and other finishing processes.
• Desire to lead or mentor junior procurement team members.
• Experience working within an Agile/Scrum or equivalent team-based environment.

Benefits

• Excellent growth and promotion opportunities
• Competitive wages, dependent on experience
• Comprehensive benefits package including medical, dental, vision, and ancillary benefits
• 401(k) with company match
• Training and professional development opportunities

About AeroSpec AeroSpec is a leader in design-engineer-build solutions for manufacturing. Our team creates custom manufacturing equipment for cutting-edge products needed in a connected world. We create an extensive range of automation technology and solve complex manufacturing challenges for companies across a variety of industries. AeroSpec brings together engineering, machining, fabrication, assembly, procurement, and manufacturing to deliver innovative automated assembly and test systems. Our procurement team works directly with engineering and manufacturing to ensure the right parts, processes, suppliers, quality, cost, and delivery are in place to keep projects moving. Details about the company and our products can be viewed at