Job Description:
The Buyer supports production and customer requirements by sourcing and procuring raw materials, machined components, aircraft parts, outside processing, repairs, supplies, and other goods and services. The position works closely with Engineering, Program Management, Quality, Production, and suppliers to ensure purchased products meet technical, quality, cost, and delivery requirements while maintaining appropriate inventory levels and supporting continuous improvement.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
Review engineering drawings, specifications, purchase requirements, and other technical documentation to determine sourcing and procurement needs.
Solicit and evaluate quotations, identify qualified sources, select suppliers, and negotiate pricing, lead time, delivery, and commercial terms.
Purchase raw materials, machined components, contract manufacturing and outside processing services, aircraft parts, repairs, supplies, and related support items.
Ensure purchase orders accurately communicate Company, customer, drawing, specification, quality, and delivery requirements.
Monitor open purchase orders and supplier commitments to support production schedules and customer requirements; proactively address shortages and delivery risks.
Coordinate with Engineering, Quality, Production, Program Management, and other internal functions to resolve supplier, technical, quality, and schedule issues.
Evaluate supplier capability, capacity, performance, and risk; support supplier selection, development, and corrective improvement activities.
Maintain competitive sources for materials, supplies, and services and develop professional supplier relationships consistent with Company ethics and fair-dealing expectations.
Review supplier proposals and perform cost and price analysis to identify savings opportunities and establish negotiation objectives.
Support inventory optimization by balancing production requirements, material availability, target inventory levels, turns, and total cost.
Coordinate the return, replacement, or disposition of nonconforming or unacceptable purchased goods or services.
Support compliance with applicable purchasing, storage, transportation, quality, contractual, and regulatory requirements.
Use ERP/MRP systems to plan, place, track, and manage purchasing activity and supplier schedules.
Participate in continuous improvement efforts focused on cost, quality, delivery, inventory, and operational performance.
Maintain accurate purchasing records and documentation in accordance with Company procedures and quality system requirements.
Perform other related duties as assigned.
Work outside of standard hours, exceeding 40 at times, including occasional weekends, as business needs require.
Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings, specifications, purchase order requirements, and technical documentation.
Strong supplier sourcing, negotiation, purchasing, expediting, and follow-through skills.
Working knowledge of ERP/MRP planning and purchasing systems.
Ability to manage multiple priorities, suppliers, purchase orders, and projects in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.
Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, including cost/price analysis and supplier performance evaluation.
Effective written and verbal communication skills with the ability to coordinate across technical, operational, and supplier organizations.
Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications, particularly Excel and Word.
Ability to work independently while contributing effectively in a collaborative team environment.
Familiarity with AS9100 or comparable aerospace/defense quality management systems.
Understanding of continuous improvement and Lean manufacturing principles.
Education and Experience
Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain, Business, Acquisition Management, Engineering, Finance, or a related field preferred.
APICS/ASCM CPIM or similar supply chain certification preferred.
Aerospace and defense purchasing or supply chain experience strongly preferred.
Experience supporting low-volume, high-mix manufacturing, developmental programs, new product introduction, or production procurement preferred.
Prior experience purchasing machined components, raw materials, outside processing, or aerospace-related products and services preferred.
Experience with ERP/MRP-based planning and purchasing required for experienced-level candidates.
Work Eligibility (ITAR): This position must meet Export Control compliance requirements, therefore a “US Person” as defined by 22 C.F.R. § 120.15 is required. “US Person” includes US Citizen, lawful permanent resident or persons with protected status. Employer will not sponsor applicants for employment visa status.
Thank you for your interest. Due to the volume of applications, only applicants chosen for further consideration will be contacted.
While we appreciate and value our staffing partners, we do not accept unsolicited resumes from agencies. Thomas Instrument Inc. will not be responsible for paying agency fees for any individual to whom an agency has sent an unsolicited resume
Thomas Instrument is an EEO employer. Applicants are considered for all positions without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, veteran status, medical condition (GINA), or disability.