Our client is a New Jersey-based company that designs and manufactures ruggedized displays, computers, and panel PCs for military and other mission-critical applications. Founded in 2002, the company operates a large engineering and manufacturing facility in Mahwah and supplies products for land, sea, and air defense systems.
Job Description: The Buyer / Purchasing Agent is responsible for managing procurement activities to support manufacturing operations within a defense industry environment. This position is responsible for sourcing suppliers, obtaining competitive quotations, negotiating pricing and delivery schedules, issuing purchase orders, and ensuring materials and components are delivered on time and meet quality, regulatory, and contractual requirements.
The ideal candidate will have experience purchasing materials, components, and services for a manufacturing organization, preferably within the defense, aerospace, or government contracting industries. A strong understanding of government procurement requirements, supplier management, quality standards, and manufacturing schedules is essential.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
Purchasing & Procurement
* Prepare and issue purchase orders for raw materials, hardware, components, machined parts, outside processing, and manufacturing services.
* Source new suppliers and maintain relationships with existing vendors.
* Request, evaluate, and compare supplier quotations to ensure competitive pricing, quality, and delivery.
* Negotiate pricing, payment terms, lead times, and delivery schedules.
* Monitor open purchase orders and proactively follow up with suppliers to ensure on-time delivery.
* Identify potential material shortages and communicate risks to production planning and management.
* Expedite critical materials and components to prevent production delays.
* Review purchase requisitions for accuracy, completeness, and appropriate approvals.
Salary Range $75,000 - $100,000
Defense Industry & Regulatory Compliance
* Understand and comply with applicable government contracting and defense procurement requirements.
* Familiarity with FAR (Federal Acquisition Regulation) and DFARS (Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement) requirements.
* Understand flow-down requirements and ensure applicable contractual requirements are communicated to suppliers.
* Maintain purchasing documentation and records to support customer, government, and quality audits.
* Support compliance with ITAR and export-controlled purchasing requirements, as applicable.
* Understand material traceability, certifications, and documentation requirements, including Certificates of Conformance (CoCs).
* Ensure procurement activities follow company quality procedures and applicable customer requirements.
Supplier Management
* Evaluate supplier capabilities, pricing, quality, and delivery performance.
* Monitor supplier performance and address delivery or quality issues.
* Work with Quality and Engineering to resolve supplier-related nonconformances.
* Develop alternative sources for critical materials and components.
* Maintain accurate supplier records and purchasing documentation.
Cross-Functional Responsibilities
* Work closely with Production, Planning, Engineering, Quality, and Accounting.
* Coordinate procurement activities with manufacturing schedules and customer delivery commitments.
* Communicate material shortages, supplier delays, and cost issues to management.
* Assist with inventory control and excess material reduction initiatives.
* Support continuous improvement efforts within the purchasing and supply chain functions.
Qualifications and Experience
* 3-5 years of purchasing or procurement experience in a manufacturing environment.
* Experience in defense, aerospace, military, or government-contract manufacturing preferred.
* Knowledge of purchasing processes, supplier negotiations, and purchase order management.
* Familiarity with FAR and DFARS purchasing requirements preferred.
* Understanding of ITAR requirements and controlled technical data preferred.
* Experience purchasing metals, raw materials, machined components, electronic components, hardware, and outside processing services.
* Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings, specifications, and bills of material (BOMs).
* Experience working with ERP/MRP systems.
* Proficiency in Microsoft Excel, Word, and Outlook.
* Strong organizational, analytical, communication, and problem-solving skills.
* Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.
Preferred Qualifications
* Experience with government and military contracts.
* Knowledge of AS9100 and/or ISO 9001 quality management systems.
* Familiarity with supplier audits and source inspection requirements.
* Understanding of material certifications, lot traceability, and counterfeit parts prevention.
* Experience with government property and customer-furnished material requirements.
* APICS/ASCM or other supply chain certification is a plus.
Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)
The Buyer / Purchasing Agent will be evaluated based on:
* On-time delivery performance from suppliers.
* Purchase order accuracy and timeliness.
* Material availability to support production schedules.
* Supplier quality and delivery performance.
* Cost savings and purchasing efficiencies.
* Effective management of open purchase orders.
* Compliance with customer and government procurement requirements.
Education
* Associate's or Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Business Administration, or a related field preferred.
* Equivalent purchasing and manufacturing experience will be considered.
Personal Attributes
* Strong attention to detail and accuracy.
* Proactive approach to problem-solving and supplier follow-up.
* Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
* Strong negotiation and communication skills.
* Ability to prioritize competing demands and meet deadlines.
* High level of professionalism and integrity when handling customer and government-related procurement requirements.
ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:
United States Citizen or Permanent Resident required.
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