Purchasing
About The Position
As a Buyer at Karman Space & Defense, you support production and development programs by acquiring critical materials, components, and services. You strengthen supplier relationships, coordinate delivery schedules, track performance, and help mitigate supply-chain risks. Your work ensures program needs are met in a fast-paced, highly regulated environment and contributes directly to reliable execution of mission-critical manufacturing. The role is part of the Tactical Missiles and Integrated Defense Systems business, which designs and develops integrated missile and defense systems for critical air, land, and sea missions. The business delivers technologies including launch systems, propulsion, payload integration solutions, UAV components, missile subsystems, and Safe & Arm systems.
Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree in supply chain management, business, engineering, or a related field.
- Strong computer skills, including Microsoft Office, Excel, and Outlook.
- Minimum of 5 years of experience in procurement or strategic sourcing, preferably within the space, aerospace, or defense industries.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills and ability to build relationships with diverse stakeholders.
- Strong time-management skills and ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
- Demonstrated commitment to ethical practices and strong attention to detail.
- Must have U.S. person status under U.S. export control laws, including U.S. citizen or national, lawful permanent resident, refugee, or asylee status.
Nice To Haves
- Experience with Epicor Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) software.
- Ten or more years of experience in supplier management or supply-chain administration.
- Experience in the space and defense industry.
Responsibilities
- Build relationships with existing and internal suppliers, coordinate delivery schedules, and evaluate supplier performance.
- Lead regular supplier tag-ups to monitor open orders, address bottlenecks, and mitigate delivery risks.
- Monitor market trends and supply-chain material shortages to support proactive procurement planning.
- Coordinate Manufacturing Readiness Reviews with suppliers to assess production capacity, delivery performance, quality reliability, and compliance with contractual and regulatory requirements.
- Support risk-mitigation efforts by evaluating supply-base strengths and weaknesses and developing contingency plans for critical components.
- Process purchase requisitions to issue purchase orders and track part deliveries across programs and departments.
Benefits
- Medical, dental, and vision insurance
- 401(k) with company match
- Paid time off
- Health Savings Account (HSA) with company contribution
- Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA)
- Company-paid life and AD&D insurance
- Short- and long-term disability coverage
- Tuition reimbursement
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Mid Level
