Buyer

JOB SUMMARY

The Buyer is responsible for executing and managing purchasing activities of moderate scope within a regulated, high-volume, low-mix military manufacturing environment. This role develops professional procurement expertise by applying company policies, procedures, and guidelines to resolve a variety of purchasing issues. The Buyer exercises judgment within defined practices, analyzes multiple factors to determine appropriate courses of action, and modifies processes or methods as required to support operational, cost, and schedule objectives. The Purchasing / Procurement focus specializes in the acquisition and delivery of raw materials, components and parts that together form the “end product”. Includes acquisition of goods at the right time, quantity, quality, and cost. This role includes ensuring the availability of materials in the supply chain, as scheduled, and the maintenance of inventory at minimum acceptable levels. Responsible for sourcing and supplying raw materials, utilities and outside services, as well coordinating global procurement efforts. Coordinates with finance / accounting on matters involving inventory-carrying costs. Reviews and plans requirements for acceptable inventory. May assist with the establishment and maintenance of the production control system. May work with customers in auditing customer inventory levels and with internal and external vendors to comply with inventory policies.

COMPLEXITY & PROBLEM SOLVING

Works on problems of moderate scope which are often varied and routine where analysis of situations or data requires a review of a variety of factors. Exercises judgment within defined procedures and practices to determine appropriate action. Applies learned techniques and contribute to analysis and investigation to solve problems. Normally receives little instruction on day-to-day work, general instructions on new assignments. Role may lead into working on problems of diverse scope where analysis of information requires evaluation of identifiable factors. Devises solutions based on limited information and precedents and adapts existing approaches to resolve issues. Uses evaluation, judgment, and interpretation to select right course of action. Work is done independently and is reviewed at critical points.

COLLABORATION & INTERACTION

Builds productive internal/external working relationships to resolve mutual problems by collaborating on procedures or transactions. Focuses on providing standard professional advice and creating initial reports/analysis for review by experienced team professionals. This role may lead into enhancing relationships and networks with senior internal/external partners who are not familiar with the subject matter often requiring persuasion. Adapts style to differing audiences and often advises others on difficult matters.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Purchasing & Supplier Management

• Manage purchasing      activities for assigned commodities, programs, or suppliers in accordance      with company policies, contracts, and military/defense compliance      requirements.
• Determine      appropriate procurement actions based on guidelines, modifying methods or      processes as needed to address changing requirements.
• Place, manage, and      adjust purchase orders to support production schedules in a high-volume,      low-mix manufacturing environment.
• Monitor supplier      performance, including delivery, quality, and responsiveness, and work      collaboratively to resolve routine and moderately complex issues.

Problem Solving & Analysis

• Address problems      of moderate scope that are varied and routine, requiring analysis of      situations or data across multiple factors (cost, lead time, quality,      schedule).
• Apply learned      procurement techniques and contribute to analysis and investigation to      identify root causes and implement solutions.
• Exercise judgment      within defined procedures and practices to determine appropriate actions      and escalate issues when necessary.

Cost, Risk & Performance Awareness

• Support cost      control and continuous improvement initiatives through informed purchasing      decisions and supplier engagement.
• Maintain awareness      of budget, pricing, lead times, and service-level requirements.
• Identify potential      supply risks and support mitigation efforts in collaboration with      planning, quality, and engineering teams.

Collaboration & Communication

• Build productive      internal working relationships with planning, production, engineering,      quality, and finance to resolve mutual supply chain issues.
• Develop effective      external relationships with suppliers to collaborate on transactions,      delivery performance, and issue resolution.
• Provide standard      professional advice to internal stakeholders related to procurement      status, constraints, and options.

Reporting & Documentation

• Prepare initial      reports, analyses, and purchasing data for review by senior or more      experienced procurement professionals.
• Ensure accurate      documentation and system data to support traceability, audits, and      compliance with military and quality requirements.

Skills & Competencies

• Developing      expertise in procurement and supply chain management
• Ability to analyze      routine and moderately complex problems involving multiple variables
• Sound judgment      within established procedures and guidelines
• Strong      collaboration and relationship-building skills
• Effective written      and verbal communication
• Attention to      detail and disciplined documentation practices
• Ability to work      independently with minimal instruction on day-to-day tasks

EDUCATION/ EXPERIENCE

This role prefers a bachelor’s degree and a minimum of 2-4 years of related experience or experience and education combination; or an advanced degree without experience; or equivalent work experience.

Nothing in this job description restricts management’s right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time. This job description reflects management’s assignment of essential functions; it does not prescribe or restrict the tasks that may be assigned.