Materials Buyer, Purchasing, Manufacturing

Role: Materials/Manufacturing Buyer Location: Merritt Island, FL or Melbourne, FL
Duration: 06+ Months possible extension
Pay rate: $46.26/hr on W2

Position Overview
The Buyer II – Tooling is responsible for sourcing, negotiating, and managing suppliers supporting the procurement of tooling, manufacturing equipment, fixtures, and related services required for aerospace production and development programs. This contract role owns the full procurement lifecycle—from requisition through invoice payment—while ensuring cost, quality, schedule, and technical requirements are achieved in support of client mission.

Prescreen Questions

• Describe your experience sourcing tooling, manufacturing equipment, fixtures, or production support services. What types of tooling or equipment have you procured?
• Have you independently managed RFQs, supplier negotiations, and purchase orders from initial request through delivery and invoice resolution? Please provide a specific example.
• Can you read and work from engineering drawings, technical specifications, or manufacturing requirements when sourcing suppliers? Please explain your experience and the industries you've supported.

Key Responsibilities
Manage supplier relationships supporting tooling, manufacturing equipment, and production support requirements.
Prepare and issue RFQs/RFPs, conduct price and cost analyses, and develop negotiation strategies.
Negotiate and administer purchase orders, long-term agreements (LTAs), and strategic supplier partnerships.
Drive procurement activities from requisition creation through receipt, invoice resolution, and final payment.
Collaborate with Engineering, Manufacturing, Program Management, and Quality teams to support production schedules and program objectives.
Ensure suppliers meet delivery, quality, technical, and cost requirements.
Support supplier performance management and continuous improvement initiatives.
Analyze procurement data and develop metrics to support business decisions.
Work effectively in a fast-paced, ambiguous environment while managing multiple priorities and deadlines.
Maintain compliance with company policies, contractual requirements, and applicable regulations.

Required Qualifications
Experience sourcing tooling, manufacturing equipment, fixtures, capital equipment, or industrial services.
Experience negotiating contracts and purchase orders.
Knowledge of supplier management and procurement best practices.
Strong analytical, organizational, and communication skills.
Experience managing multiple priorities in a dynamic environment.
Working knowledge of engineering drawings, specifications, and technical documentation.
Understanding of AS9100 quality standards.

Preferred Qualifications (Nice-to-Have)
Tooling procurement experience (manufacturing, fabrication, machining, production tooling).
Full-cycle sourcing and negotiation experience.
Demonstrated ability to work directly with engineering and manufacturing teams.
Strong supplier management and problem-solving skills.
Comfortable operating in a fast-paced, ambiguous environment.
Prior aerospace, defense, or high-volume manufacturing industry experience.