What are the responsibilities and job description for the Purchaser (Weapons Systems) position at CoAspire?
CoAspire (https://www.coaspire.com) is a cutting-edge defense manufacturing leader in Northern Virginia, specializing in the precision assembly of advanced weapons systems. With over twelve years of a legacy of innovation, we're at the forefront of building reliable, affordable mass weapons that protect and empower our nation’s warfighters. Our tight-knit team thrives in a collaborative environment where safety, quality, and work-life balance come first with a focus on professional growth at our new 27,000 sq. ft. facility. Join us to make a tangible impact on mission-critical technology while enjoying Northern Virginia's vibrant community.
Position: You will join a growing purchasing team to manage the full procurement lifecycle for materials, components, subcontracted services, and supplies critical to the production of weapon systems. Working closely with engineering, manufacturing, quality, and program management teams, you will ensure on-time delivery of compliant, cost-effective parts and materials while adhering to government regulations, Federal Acquisition Regulations/ Defense FAR Supplement (FAR/DFARS), ITAR, and company approved purchasing system requirements.
Responsibilities:
- Source, negotiate, and purchase parts, electronics, composites, raw materials, and subcontracted services in support of CoAspire contracts.
- Issue requests for quotation (RFQs), perform price/cost analysis, and negotiate pricing, terms, lead times, and long-term agreements to achieve best value and to reduce total cost of system deliveries.
- Place and manage purchase orders, expedite deliveries, resolve supplier discrepancies, and maintain accurate procurement records in the ERP/PLM system.
- Ensure all procurements comply with FAR/DFARS, ITAR export controls, Truth in Negotiations Act (TINA) and any other company regulations.
- Develop and maintain strong supplier relationships, conduct supplier performance evaluations as needed, and identify/qualify new sources for strategic materials.
- Collaborate with engineering and quality teams on make-vs-buy decisions, supplier approvals, flow-down of technical and quality requirements, and resolution of non-conformances.
Qualifications:
- 3–10 years of procurement/buying experience in defense/aerospace environments.
- Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management, Business Administration, Operations, or a related field (or equivalent experience).
- Demonstrated knowledge of FAR/DFARS, ITAR, government contracting flow-downs, and compliant purchasing systems.
- Proven negotiation skills with experience in cost/price analysis, long-term agreements, and supplier management.
- Strong analytical, organizational, and communication skills with the ability to work cross-functionally in a fast-paced production environment.
- U.S. citizenship and ability to obtain/maintain a security clearance (active clearance strongly preferred).
- Comfortable in a hands-on manufacturing setting with occasional supplier visits or audits.
Desired Skills:
- Experience procuring components for missile/weapon systems, COTS/mil-spec components, or ITAR-controlled items.
- Proficiency with ERP/PLM systems (e.g., WindChill) and Microsoft Office Suite (especially Excel for analysis).
- Familiarity with AS9100/ISO quality standards and small business/subcontracting reporting.
- Experience supporting CPSR audits or DCMA reviews.
What We Offer:
Beyond competitive pay, we offer:
- Full benefits from day one: medical, dental and vision
- 401(k) with generous company match and immediate vesting
- PTO and Federal holidays
Apply now! We're reviewing applications on a rolling basis. Let's build the future together. No agencies, please.
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