Buyer II

The Buyer II is responsible for independently managing procurement activities that support manufacturing, production, and program execution. This role purchases a wide range of materials, components, equipment, and services while building strong supplier relationships, negotiating pricing and delivery, and ensuring on-time support of business needs. The Buyer II exercises sound judgment in day-to-day purchasing decisions, resolves moderately complex supplier issues, and partners closely with Engineering, Supply Chain, Operations, Program Management, and Quality to achieve cost, quality, and delivery objectives. This position operates with limited supervision and escalates only highly complex or strategic issues to senior procurement leadership.

Essential Job Functions:

• Procure materials, components, equipment, and services in support of production schedules, customer programs, and operational requirements.
• Prepare, issue, and manage purchase orders while ensuring accuracy, pricing, delivery commitments, and compliance with company policies.
• Negotiate pricing, delivery schedules, and standard terms and conditions with suppliers to achieve cost, quality, and service objectives.
• Monitor supplier performance and proactively resolve delivery, quality, invoicing, or supply chain issues.
• Collaborate with Engineering, Operations, Quality, and Program Management to ensure procurement activities support program schedules and manufacturing priorities.
• Maintain accurate purchasing data, supplier records, and procurement documentation within the ERP system.
• Analyze inventory levels, demand requirements, and lead times to support material availability while minimizing excess inventory.
• Identify qualified suppliers and support supplier sourcing, evaluation, and onboarding activities.
• Participate in supplier performance reviews and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Support cost reduction efforts through competitive sourcing, supplier negotiations, and value engineering opportunities.
• Ensure procurement activities comply with company policies, contractual requirements, and applicable government regulations, including FAR/DFARS when applicable.
• Assist with proposal activities by obtaining supplier quotations, lead times, and cost information.
• Support internal, customer, and regulatory audits by maintaining complete and accurate procurement documentation.
• Mentor Buyer I team members and provide guidance on procurement processes and best practices as appropriate.
• Assist with procurement reporting, spend analysis, and supplier performance metrics.
• Support implementation of process improvements and purchasing best practices.
• Cross-train within other Supply Chain functions as needed.
• Perform other related duties as assigned to support organizational objectives.

Note:  The duties and responsibilities described on this document are not necessarily a comprehensive list and additional tasks may be assigned to the employee from time to time; and the scope of the job may change as necessitated by business demands.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain, Business, Operations, or a related field, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• 3–5 years of procurement, purchasing, supply chain, or manufacturing experience.
• Experience purchasing materials in a manufacturing, industrial, aerospace, or defense environment preferred.
• Experience using ERP systems such as Costpoint, Epicor, SAP, Oracle, or similar.
• Strong negotiation, organizational, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to prioritize multiple assignments and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills with the ability to build effective supplier and internal relationships.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, including Excel.
• Must be a U.S. Citizen.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience supporting aerospace, defense, or government contracting environments.
• Familiarity with FAR/DFARS requirements.
• Experience with supplier development, strategic sourcing, or cost reduction initiatives.
• Professional certifications such as CPSM, CPM, or CPIM.
• Experience supporting engineering change orders (ECOs), new product introductions (NPI), or production ramp-ups.

Reasonable Accommodations

To accomplish this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform, with or without reasonable accommodation, each essential function satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodation may be made to help enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.