Buyer- Aerospace

Héroux-Devtek•Livonia, MI

35d•Onsite

About The Position

Join Beaver Aerospace & Defense, a Héroux-Devtek company, as a Buyer supporting mission-critical aerospace and defense programs including the B-2 Stealth Bomber and Boeing landing gear systems. This role sits at the intersection of strategic sourcing, supplier management, and production planning, with a strong emphasis on supplier relationship ownership. The Buyer is responsible for managing a supplier portfolio of approximately $25–$30M, owning end-to-end procurement of raw materials and purchased components, negotiating long-term agreements, and ensuring uninterrupted material flow to the production floor. This role is approximately 90% supplier management and procurement, with the remaining 10% focused on MRP-driven planning and production coordination. This is a high-impact, relationship-driven role for someone who thrives in a fast-paced, low-volume aerospace manufacturing environment, builds strong supplier partnerships, and is comfortable putting out fires while driving long-term cost and delivery improvements. Movement through industrial or manufacturing areas is required, along with the use of appropriate personal protective equipment and consistent observance of established safety policies.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in supply chain, Business, Engineering, or a related field or equivalent combination of education and experience.
5+ years of experience in a Buyer, Buyer/Planner, or Strategic Sourcing role within a manufacturing environment.
Demonstrated experience managing a supplier book of $25M or greater.
Proven track record of supplier relationship management, contract negotiation, and Long-Term Agreement (LTA) execution.
Working knowledge of SAP, Oracle, or comparable ERP/MRP systems.
Experience leading mass RFQ events and conducting cost savings analysis.
Strong understanding of low-volume, forecast-driven production environments.
Experience managing supplier performance through KPIs (OTD, quality, cost).
Excellent communication, negotiation, and relationship-building skills.
Willingness to travel to supplier sites as required (estimated 10–20%).
Strong proficiency in Microsoft Excel and data analysis.
Legal authorization to work in the United States without sponsorship.
Must meet ITAR eligibility requirements.

Nice To Haves

Aerospace, defense, or military supplier industry experience or familiarity with these supplier networks.
Experience in a low-volume, high-mix precision manufacturing environment.
Familiarity with AS9100 quality management system requirements.
APICS CPIM, CSCP, or ISM CPSM certification.
Experience with cost reduction methodologies and value engineering.
Prior experience supporting DoD, DLA, or major aerospace prime contractor programs.

Responsibilities

Own and manage a supplier book of approximately $25–$30M across raw materials and purchased components
Build and maintain strong, long-term relationships with strategic suppliers, including regular on-site visits and travel as needed
Negotiate pricing, payment terms, lead times, and Long-Term Agreements (LTAs) to support program stability and cost performance
Lead mass RFQ events for new and recurring requirements, evaluating supplier responses on price, capability, capacity, lead time, and quality
Drive cost savings initiatives through strategic sourcing, supplier consolidation, contract renegotiation, and value engineering
Manage supplier performance against established KPIs including on-time delivery (OTD), quality, responsiveness, and cost
Resolve supplier issues including late deliveries, quality non-conformances, and capacity constraints; escalate appropriately
Conduct supplier risk assessments and develop mitigation strategies to ensure continuity of supply
Read and act on MRP output to drive purchase order creation, vendor release schedules, and material flow to the production floor
Maintain accurate planning parameters in SAP/ERP including lead times, safety stock, reorder points, and minimum order quantities
Coordinate daily with production supervisors, manufacturing engineering, and quality teams to align material availability with production schedules
Support forecast-driven planning in a low-volume, high-mix aerospace manufacturing environment
Track inventory levels and drive corrective actions to prevent shortages and excess
Develop and present cost savings analyses, supplier scorecards, and procurement performance reporting to leadership
Use data analytics to identify trends, risks, and improvement opportunities across the supplier base
Maintain accurate procurement and planning documentation to support compliance with AS9100, ITAR, and customer contractual requirements
Drive continuous improvement initiatives within the supply chain function

Benefits

Competitive salaries linked to performance and paid time off
9 paid holidays
A comprehensive group insurance plan including a HSA/FSA options, Dental & Vision
Coverage for Domestic Partnerships
Supportive wellness program, including healthcare discounts
Automatic Life Insurance with supplemental options
Short- and Long-Term Disability Insurance
Opportunities for retirement savings with 401k plans including a company match
Tuition reimbursement for relevant Certifications, Education, & Trainings
Free access to a virtual doctor and the employee assistance program
Social activities for all employees (BBQ, Golf, Christmas parties, etc.)
Generous referral bonuses and advantageous recognition programs