About the Role
We are seeking a Purchasing Manager to lead the procurement function at an aerospace and defense manufacturing company. This role will oversee a team of Buyers and drive the timely, cost-effective, and quality-focused acquisition of materials, components, and services needed to support production and operations.
The Purchasing Manager will develop supplier strategies, manage supplier performance and risk, negotiate contracts and cost improvements, and partner closely with Material Planning, Production, Engineering, and Quality. The ideal candidate will bring strong aerospace procurement experience and a proven ability to lead teams and drive results in a highly regulated environment.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead and develop a team of Buyers and Procurement Specialists
- Develop purchasing strategies aligned with production requirements and business objectives
- Identify, evaluate, negotiate, and manage suppliers to achieve cost, quality, and delivery goals
- Establish and manage long-term agreements and supplier contracts
- Monitor supplier performance, including on-time delivery, quality, responsiveness, and compliance
- Drive supplier corrective actions and improvement initiatives when performance targets are not met
- Manage supplier risk, including capacity, financial, geopolitical, and single-source risks
- Partner with Material Planning, Production, Engineering, and Quality to ensure material availability
- Optimize ERP/MRP purchasing parameters to balance inventory, lead times, and production requirements
- Lead cost reduction and cost avoidance initiatives through negotiations, value engineering, and supply chain improvements
- Drive continuous improvement across purchasing processes, systems, and policies
- Ensure compliance with customer flow-down requirements, FAR/DFARS, ITAR/EAR, CPSR, AS9100, and applicable company policies
- Support internal and external audits related to purchasing and supplier management
- Establish departmental goals, KPIs, and performance expectations aligned with company objectives
Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Business Administration, Engineering, or a related field
- 7+ years of progressive procurement or purchasing experience
- 3+ years of leadership experience, preferably within aerospace or defense
- Strong knowledge of aerospace manufacturing supply chains and supplier qualification processes
- Proven experience with contract negotiation, cost reduction, supplier development, and performance management
- Experience with ERP/MRP systems such as SAP, Oracle, IFS, or similar
- Strong analytical, negotiation, problem-solving, and communication skills
- Ability to lead cross-functional projects and influence decision-making
- Proven ability to lead, mentor, and develop procurement teams
Preferred Qualifications
- APICS/CPIM, CPSM, PMP, or similar certification
- Experience with aerospace regulatory and customer requirements
- Knowledge of FAR/DFARS, ITAR/EAR, CPSR, and AS9100 requirements
- Experience developing long-term supplier agreements and strategic sourcing initiatives
- Experience with supplier risk management and corrective action programs
- Experience driving Lean or continuous improvement initiatives
- Strong understanding of inventory management, material availability, and supplier performance metrics
Why Join?
- Lead a critical procurement function supporting advanced aerospace and defense manufacturing
- Manage and develop a talented purchasing team
- Work directly with suppliers and cross-functional teams to influence cost, quality, and delivery
- Drive strategic sourcing, supplier development, and continuous improvement initiatives
- Make a measurable impact on production readiness, supply chain performance, and business results
- Work in a highly regulated environment supporting mission-critical products
Interested in learning more? We'd love to connect and discuss this opportunity further.
