Buyer

McFarlane Aviation•Baldwin City, KS

About The Position

McFarlane is a rapidly growing 50+ years old aviation firm that focuses on the design and manufacture of high-quality aircraft parts within the general aviation and commercial marketplace. We are an industry leading developer, manufacturer, and distributor of FAA-PMA products and believe in providing better parts with superior “old-school” customer service. When you join the McFarlane team, you’ll join a dedicated group of colleagues passionate about aviation, community, and the McFarlane way. Overview The Buyer is responsible for sourcing, purchasing, and managing the flow of materials and components needed to support daily manufacturing operations. This role coordinates purchase orders, monitors inventory and supplier performance, and partners closely with operations and vendors to ensure materials are available on time to meet production schedules and customer delivery commitments.

Requirements

3+ years of professional experience in purchasing, procurement, or supply chain, preferably in a manufacturing environment
Experience in aviation, aerospace, or other regulated manufacturing environments preferred
Strong negotiation and supplier relationship management skills
Experience with ERP/MRP systems and purchasing transactions
Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills
Excellent verbal and written communication skills
High attention to detail and data accuracy
Proficiency in Microsoft Office, especially Excel and Word
Ability to manage multiple priorities and adapt to changing business needs
Ability to work independently with minimal supervision
Strong collaboration skills and commitment to a team-oriented environment
Bachelor’s degree in supply chain, business, or related field preferred

Nice To Haves

APICS, CPIM, or CPSM certification
Aerospace supply chain experience
Experience with supplier development and strategic sourcing
Lean manufacturing or continuous improvement experience

Responsibilities

Source, qualify, and manage suppliers for raw materials, components, and services
Evaluate bids and negotiate pricing, lead times, terms, quality standards, and overall best value
Create, issue, and manage purchase orders to ensure timely delivery of materials
Monitor supplier performance, including quality, responsiveness, delivery, and risk
Track purchase orders, acknowledgements, and delivery dates to support manufacturing needs
Maintain accurate vendor records, purchasing data, and supplier communications within the ERP system
Monitor inventory levels and collaborate with operations to ensure material availability for production
Work with domestic and global suppliers to resolve shortages, delays, and quality concerns
Support supplier forecasting and communication to maintain continuity of supply
Identify opportunities to improve supplier performance, reduce costs, and strengthen supply chain reliability
Partner cross-functionally with operations, inventory, quality, and leadership teams to support business objectives