Buyer / Procurement Specialist

Job Summary

The Buyer / Procurement Specialist plans and executes the purchase of materials, components, hardware, outside services, and supplies required to support GMRE defense and aerospace programs. The position owns assigned purchases from requisition through receipt and closeout, balancing cost, schedule, quality, and compliance. Working closely with Planning, Manufacturing, Engineering, Quality, Inventory, Finance, and Program Management, the Buyer maintains material availability and complete, audit-ready procurement files. The position works with limited supervision within delegated authority and escalates technical, contractual, quality, security, financial, and supply risks as required.

Roles and Responsibilities

• Review purchase requisitions, bills of material, drawings, specifications, approved-source requirements, quantities, need dates, and revision levels before soliciting or placing orders.
• Prepare and issue requests for information, quotation, or proposal; obtain adequate competition when practicable; evaluate supplier responses; and document the basis for supplier selection and applicable FAR, DFARS, DPAS, export-control, and customer requirements.
• Negotiate price, lead time, delivery, payment terms, minimum order quantities, warranty, and other commercial terms to achieve best value within delegated authority.
• Create and administer accurate purchase orders in the ERP/MRP system, including applicable terms, quality clauses, contract flow downs, delivery schedules, and change documentation.
• Manage the complete purchase-order lifecycle, including supplier acknowledgment, status follow-up, expedites, changes, receipt and invoice issue resolution, returns, and closeout.
• Maintain current promise dates and purchasing data so production schedules, shortage reports, program forecasts, and cash requirements reflect reliable information.
• Source aerospace interconnect and harness materials such as wire and cable, connectors, contacts and terminals, back shells, splices, sleeving, heat-shrink products, labels, fasteners, and related assembly hardware.
• Confirm manufacturer part number, specification, revision, approved supplier or manufacturer status, traceability, shelf-life, and certificate requirements before award.
• Coordinate with Engineering and Quality to resolve part-number discrepancies, substitutions, source changes, deviations, nonconforming material, and supplier corrective actions; do not authorize technical changes without required approval.
• Develop qualified alternate sources when permitted and monitor supplier delivery, quality, responsiveness, pricing, capacity, and corrective-action performance.
• Identify and escalate long-lead, allocation, single/sole-source, counterfeit-part, obsolescence, minimum-buy, and capacity risks that could affect production or program milestones.
• Support supplier onboarding, evaluation, surveillance, and site visits in coordination with Quality and other stakeholders.
• Execute assigned procurements in accordance with GMRE procedures, delegated authority, prime-contract requirements,
• Prepare complete procurement files, including competition or source rationale, market research, price analysis, negotiation documentation, representations and certifications, approvals, and required correspondence.
• Perform and document appropriate price analysis; obtain additional review when cost analysis or certified cost or pricing data may be required.
• Apply and verify required contractual, quality, cybersecurity, traceability, and record-retention flow downs with guidance from the appropriate functional authority.
• Support internal audits, customer reviews, and Contractor Purchasing System Review readiness by maintaining accurate, timely, and retrievable records and correcting identified gaps.
• Serve as the primary commercial contact for assigned suppliers; communicate status and risk clearly; and partner with Receiving and Accounts Payable to resolve discrepancies promptly.
• Use data to identify opportunities for cost reduction, lead-time improvement, supplier consolidation, process standardization, and stronger purchasing controls.
• Perform other related duties consistent with the position's purpose and level of responsibility.

Why Work for GMRE?

GMRE is a small veteran-owned company who cares about our employees. We offer health, dental, and vision insurance, 401(k), vacation, Paid Time Off (PTO), or Paid Sick Leave (PSL) based on state laws, paid holidays, and life insurance to all permanent full-time employees. GMRE’s mission is to provide high quality engineering and technical services to help our customers grow and succeed. 

GMRE is an equal opportunity employer. GMRE is committed to making employment decisions based on valid requirements, without regard to age 40 and over, color, disability, gender identity, genetic information, military or veteran status, national origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation or any other applicable status protected by state or local laws.

This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change, or new ones may be assigned at any time with or without notice. 

Required Skills/Abilities

• Demonstrated ability to solicit and compare quotes, negotiate commercial terms, perform price analysis, issue and administer purchase orders, and follow orders through delivery and closeout.
• Working knowledge of ERP/MRP systems and proficiency with Microsoft Excel, Outlook, and Word.
• Ability to read and interpret bills of material, manufacturer part numbers, drawings, specifications, revision information, quality notes, and delivery requirements.
• Strong written and verbal communication, negotiation, analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
• High attention to detail and the ability to manage competing priorities, changing production needs, and time-sensitive supplier issues with limited supervision.
• Ability to work effectively and professionally with suppliers and cross-functional teams while protecting confidential and sensitive information.
• Ability to maintain regular attendance and punctuality and to respond appropriately to urgent supplier or production needs.

Education and Experience

• Three or more years of purchasing, procurement, or supply-chain experience in a manufacturing environment required; aerospace, defense, electronics, or another regulated industry is strongly preferred.
• Bachelor's degree in supply chain management, business, finance, operations, or a related field preferred; equivalent relevant experience will be considered.
• Experience buying electrical interconnect, wire-harness, electronic, mechanical, or aerospace components and services preferred.
• Working familiarity with FAR/DFARS procurement, DPAS priorities, CPSR expectations, ITAR/EAR controls, AS9100 environments, and government-contract flow downs preferred.
• Experience with manufacturing ERP/MRP system and with purchasing data analysis or dashboards preferred.
• Professional certification or coursework such as CPSM, CSCP, CPIM, or government-contract purchasing training is desirable.

Security Clearance and Other Requirements

• Must be a U.S. citizen and able to obtain and maintain a U.S. Government security clearance when required by the position or assigned by the program.
• Employment may be subject to a government security investigation, background screening, and other program-specific access requirements.
• The Buyer may solicit suppliers, negotiate within established parameters, recommend supplier selection, and issue or modify purchase orders only within formally delegated authority. Required approvals must be obtained before accepting deviations, substitutions, nonstandard terms, or commitments above authority limits.

Supervisory Responsibilities

• None. The position may provide process guidance or informal support to less-experienced team members.

Physical Requirements

• Work is performed primarily in an office environment with routine interaction in production, stockroom, receiving, and inspection areas.
• Prolonged periods of sitting and working at a computer, with regular use of standard office equipment.
• Ability to move safely through a manufacturing environment and comply with applicable personal protective equipment and safety requirements.
• Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Travel Required

• Occasional travel, generally up to 10%, may be required for supplier visits, meetings, audits, or training. The position may occasionally need to respond to urgent supplier or production issues outside the normal work schedule.