Lead Buyer

ACET is seeking a driven and detail-oriented Lead Buyer to manage and lead a procurement team to develop and execute strategies for sourcing goods and services. Key responsibilities include negotiating contracts, managing supplier relationships, identifying cost-saving opportunities, and ensuring compliance with company policies and regulations. The role also requires strong leadership, analytical, and problem-solving skills, with a focus on improving procurement processes and mitigating risk.

Responsibilities will include processing purchase orders, negotiating with suppliers, tracking orders, creating, maintaining a bill of material, quality assurance, liaising with inventory teams and management, as well as performing administrative duties and functions. This position will also include working with Operations Managers and various Program Managers to meet the needs of the company, making purchase decisions based on demand, cost, and timeframe, and all applicable regulations and company policies while also assisting in day-to-day administrative requirements.

This position is located in an office in Lexington, KY.

The Buyer should be analytically minded and possess excellent negotiating skills to secure the best prices according to budget and timeframe. Knowledge of sales and marketing principles is advantageous.

• Build relationships with suppliers and negotiate with them for the best pricing.
• Process requisitions and update management on status of orders.
• Analyze market trends and apply this knowledge to make insightful buying decisions.
• Assess quality of stock received and escalate any discrepancies to suppliers and management.
• Assist Project, Program, and Operational Managers in administrative requirements as needed.
• Check compliance with purchase orders in Cost Point as per company policy/Industry regulations/Government policy.
• Be able to track, decipher requirements, apply applicability, and brief leadership/management on training progress and requirements for all personnel assigned on aerospace contracts.
• Assist and comply with procurement and purchasing audits.
• Perform administrative duties such as filing documents in share point portal for aviation contracts as required
• Ability to track, allocate and reconcile credit cards, PO purchases to charge codes.
• Must maintain purchase tracker and provide weekly updates on status and long lead-time items.
  
  

Required Qualifications

• Minimum of 3 years’ direct experience in relevant field, preferably Aerospace.
• Highly organized with excellent computer skills (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, and Teams).
• High-energy and goal-oriented demeanor.
• History of performing market research with an emphasis on aircraft in order to research, select and purchase quality products and materials.
• Strong communication skills using all platforms, (email, phone, Teams/Skype).
• Strong problem-solving skills to include working with vendors to find solutions for over/under shipments, overcharges and lack of inventory.
• Some material life cycle/ inventory management experience a plus.
• Critical thinking and negotiation skills.
• Strong communication skills, both written and verbal.
• Team Player willing to work with, train and assist other buyers and material expediters when needed.
• Ability to multi-task, take initiative, work independently, and use creative problem-solving skills.
• Some travel will be required.
  
  

Preferred

• Proficiency in Costpoint, including the ability to create and maintain purchase orders, expedite deliveries, verify all transactions, and ensure proper financial authorization before the order is placed.
• Ability to create, track and update BOMs based off of released technical data, blueprints, manufacturing drawings and engineering documents.
• General understanding of how to interpret manufacturing drawings.
• General understanding of how to interpret military specifications.