Strategic Buyer

The Strategic Buyer possesses a polished level of skill maintaining supplier relationships, understanding product flow from quotation through first delivery and the acumen to work tactically or strategically to improve supplier performance. This position manages key suppliers to ensure high performance and uninterrupted supply to our internal operations teams. Additionally, this role will manage strategic initiatives (resourcing work, supplier improvements, and quoting new business opportunities) across multiple NMG divisions and have a dual reporting relationship to Tactical Managers within each division they support.

Essential Job Functions:

• Support for New Product Introductions with quoting and source selection
• Participate in supplier qualification assessments or audits.
• Actively manage supplier relationship including daily / weekly phone calls as needed to status open orders and delivery.
• Conduct regular Supplier Performance Reviews and maintain action plans to help improve performance if below targets.
• Manage ERP system “Buyers Workbench” for key suppliers inclusive of writing and/or rescheduling Purchase Orders to ensure a balance of supply with demand.
• Execute small to moderate scope resource projects.
• Manage supplier recovery plans as required.
• Excellent communication required across differentiated product types with divisional stakeholders, domestic and international suppliers.
• Manage supplier corrective actions (CAR) process ensuring thorough root cause analysis with sustainable improvements to prevent reoccurrence for defective material.
• Manage process for defective material and returned goods to suppliers along with financial debits as required.
• Participate as contributor to configuration control process.
• Travel to suppliers (up to 30%).
• Flex work schedule to manage global relationships.
• Participate in Lean / CI events.

Additional Duties:

• Provide support for Lean manufacturing and continuous improvement initiatives, companywide.
• Other duties, reporting, special assignments, or projects as needed and assigned.
• Must remain current with, and complete all required training as assigned.
• Must adhere to Company Corporate EHS Policy and department, occupation, and task specific safety protocols, including but not limited to Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) requirements.

Qualifications:

• Aerospace industry experience highly desirable.
• 3-5 years purchasing experience with manufactured components in a Made to Order environment using MRP/ERP systems.
• 2-3 years’ experience with Supplier Management (performance reviews, improvement plans, milestone delivery tracking).
• 2-3 years’ experience quoting, sourcing and onboarding suppliers.
• Must submit to and satisfactorily pass any pre-employment screening required for employment with the Company.
• Must take medical exams required by law, in conjunction with occupation specific activities, the physical work environment, and ongoing industrial hygiene sampling results.
• Depending on assignment, may be required to use stairs, remain upright and/or seated for prolonged timeframes, intermittently reposition the body per various tasks performed, and use various tools and work-related supplies.
• May be required to perform manual lifting activities, not to exceed a 40lb lift performed by one individual.

Education:

• High School Diploma or Equivalent
• Bachelor’s degree in Technical or Business Field, or 5+ years relevant work experience with purchasing or sourcing.
• Advanced Degree or industry certifications preferred.