Sr. Buyer/Planner (2026-123) (WA, Kirkland)

Astronics Advanced Electrical Systems is seeking a Sr. Buyer/Planner to join our cohesive Supply Chain Team in Redmond, WA.

If you are interested in working at a dynamic company with a winning culture which has won awards as one of Washington's Best Places to work for 16 years consecutively, please read on!

JOB SUMMARY

As our Sr. Buyer/Planner, you'll harness your expertise in contract manufacturing, cable assemblies, and electronic components to navigate the dynamic seas of procurement with finesse. Armed with a deep understanding of market trends, fierce competition insights, and a knack for strategic sourcing, you'll be pivotal in shaping our procurement strategies.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

The Sr. Buyer/Planner applies company standards, policies, procedures, and best practices in performing the following:

• Develops and maintains new and existing supplier relationships:

• Gathers research and analyze information, evaluating suppliers based on quality, price, service, support, lead times, reliability, production and distribution capabilities and supplier reputation and history.

• Draws on internal cross functional resources to complete supplier selection and qualification.

• Monitors performance and supplier relationship to ensure compliance to agreements, including sharing of AES forecasts.

• May visit suppliers to further develop relationships and gain better understanding of their business.

• Cultivates relationship by navigating supplier hierarchy and system to ensure access to the right contact for the situation. Effectively escalates performance concerns within the supplier organization, as required.

• Coordinates with SQE to drive root cause/corrective action with suppliers.

• Reaches out to distribution partners to find potential suppliers/sources of hard-to-find parts.

• Evaluates vendor performance and relative risk, developing new supply sources where vendors and suppliers are no longer competitive or performing.

• Monitors inventory levels of assigned commodities and parts, revising order point levels and order quantities to optimize inventory investment.

• May provide lead role in business reviews and/or periodic supplier business reviews (SBR)

• Initiates work transfer:

• Conducts a strategic selection of suppliers.

• Coordinates the movement of product.

• Generates a proposal of opportunity.

• Conducts a risk analysis.

• Facilitates steps toward product movement.

• Create long term, multi-year agreements, setting out terms and conditions outside of standard terms:

• Negotiate and implement agreements for new and existing suppliers.

• Negotiates terms.

• Provides input into the development of best practices, processes, procedures, and guidelines.

• Responds to purchase requisitions and MRP demand with alternative solutions, understanding and anticipating the need behind the request and providing appropriate alternatives accordingly.

• Initiate and participate in continuous improvement projects and project teams as required, often taking a leadership role.

• Mentor and provide guidance to Buyer/Planner. May distribute work assignments according to experience and expertise.

• Strong data analytical skills and understanding with ability to transform data into usable format for analysis and action.

This position may require knowledge of SOX / 404 internal audit controls and related documentation.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Education/Experience:

• Bachelor's degree from four-year college and/or a combination of certifications (APICS and/or CPSM) and/ or 5-8 years of experience in a related manufacturing environment.

• Lean manufacturing and/or Six Sigma a plus.

• Demonstrates familiarity in the essential functions of the position including:

• Supplier development through business reviews and scorecard management

• Purchase Order lifecycle management and shortage mitigation tasks

• Supplier quality strategies including evaluation of effective corrective action.

• Manufacturing environment in a related industry preferred.

Competencies:

The Sr. Buyer/Planner will display the following competencies:

• Analyzing Data or Information: Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into logical groupings.
• Negotiation: Bringing others together and trying to reconcile differences using negotiation planners.
• Persuasion: Persuading others to change their minds or behavior.
• Resolving Conflicts and Negotiating with Others: Handling complaints, settling disputes, and resolving grievances and conflicts, or otherwise negotiating with others.
• Making Decisions and Solving Problems: Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
• Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
• Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards: Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.
• Thinking Creatively: Suggest and implement process improvements which reduce total acquisition cost for parts or services supplied, resolve short term supply problems by thinking out of the box.

Technical Skills:

• Microsoft Office Suite
• Database user interface and query software
• Enterprise resource planning ERP software
• Project management software
• Strong knowledge of regulated industry, sourcing for related commodity and technology
• Ability to read and comprehend drawings and specifications and other related engineering data.
• Strong analytical skills, data driven with experience in establishing and tracking performance metrics.

Work Environment:

• The Buyer Planner will work primarily in a controlled office environment.
• Job requires accepting criticism and dealing calmly and effectively with high-stress situations.
• Occasional national/international travel.
• Independent work involving employee making decisions within defined parameters.

EMPLOYMENT ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS

• As a US Department of Defense Contractor, this position may involve access to items subject to U.S. export-control laws. Employment is contingent upon the employee's authorization to access such items under applicable law. The company does not guarantee and is under no obligation to seek such authorization if it would be necessary.
• An offer of employment is contingent on successfully passing a background screening and drug test which includes screening for the use of cannabis.

Base salary range for this position is $79,293 - $118,940 per year. Mid-point is $99,117.

Several job-related and non-discriminatory factors including but not limited to experience in comparable roles, skill sets, training, education, licensure or certifications, other qualifications, market conditions and business needs influence actual salary offered.

Astronics AES offers a competitive benefits package including:

• Stay Healthy - Health, dental, vision, disability, life insurance, FSA, HSA, as well as voluntary life/AD&D, voluntary critical illness, accident prevention and hospital indemnity.
• Save for the Future - 401K & Employee Stock Purchase Plan.
• Find Balance - Employee Assistance Program, work/life balance culture.
• Time for You - Generous Paid Time Off, starting at 120 hours annually, plus 12 Paid Holidays per year.