What are the responsibilities and job description for the Buyer position at Vaco by Highspring?
Supply Chain Buyer
Industry: Defense / Aerospace
Location: Hawthorne, CA (Full in office to start)
Duration: Temp, possible temp to hire
Pay: $32-$40/hour
A rapidly growing company within the defense and aerospace industry is seeking a Supply Chain Buyer to support increased operational demand. This role is open due to growth and will help fill an immediate bandwidth gap within the supply chain team.
This is a highly tactical, execution-focused position operating in "firefighting mode," ideal for someone who thrives in urgency, supplier follow-up, and production-driven environments.
Position Overview:
The Supply Chain Buyer is responsible for placing purchase orders, tracking inbound materials, managing past-due shipments, and protecting production schedules. This individual will work closely with suppliers, logistics partners, and internal operations teams to ensure material flow and resolve delivery challenges.
This role requires strong Excel skills and the ability to prioritize quickly in a fast-paced environment.
Key Responsibilities:
Tactical Buying & Order Management
- Create and release purchase orders based on MRP signals and production needs
- Maintain open order, past-due, and shortage reports
- Adjust purchase orders and priorities as production requirements shift
Expediting & Past-Due Recovery
- Identify late and at-risk shipments and drive recovery actions
- Communicate directly with suppliers to obtain firm commitment dates
- Coordinate partial shipments, alternate sourcing, or expedited freight when necessary
- Escalate critical shortages with clear recommendations and impact analysis
Inbound Logistics Coordination
- Partner with logistics teams and carriers to ensure shipment execution
- Resolve missed pickups, transit delays, and documentation issues
- Track shipments from supplier dock to final receipt
Production & Stakeholder Support
- Serve as point of contact for inbound constrained materials
- Communicate shortages and recovery plans to planning and operations teams
Required Qualifications:
- 2-5 years of tactical buying, expediting, or supply chain operations experience
- Experience in the Defense/Aerospace industry preferred
- Bachelor's degree required (Supply Chain, Business, or related field preferred, but degree field is flexible)
- Intermediate Excel skills (VLOOKUPs and Pivot Tables required)
- Strong follow-up skills and sense of urgency
- Ability to prioritize and pivot in a fast-paced, execution-driven environment
- Team-oriented mindset
Preferred Qualifications:
- Experience in defense or highly regulated manufacturing environments
- Experience supporting high-volume operations
- ERP system experience (NetSuite preferred)
Salary : $32 - $40