Estimator/Buyer – Materials & Outside Processing
About The Position
Votaw Precision Technologies is a manufacturer of precision components, assemblies, and systems for aerospace, defense, and industrial customers. This role handles both front-end estimating and post-award purchasing for raw materials and outside processing. It performs material takeoffs from drawings and specifications, develops costed bills of materials and outside-processing quotes, and executes purchases after award. The role manages suppliers and special processors, negotiates price and delivery terms, and ensures materials and services support operations while meeting compliance and traceability requirements. The position works with Manufacturing, Engineering, Quality, and Shipping/Receiving to coordinate purchasing, delivery, supplier performance, and production needs. It also maintains material-remnant inventory, supplier records, quote documentation, and pricing information; supports continuous improvement; and helps resolve supplier quality issues. The position requires strong print-reading skills, including GD&T, knowledge of aerospace materials and special processes, ERP/MRP experience, and the ability to manage work independently in a fast-paced environment.
Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree or an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience.
- 5–7+ years of experience in purchasing, estimating, materials management, or a related supply-chain role in an aerospace machining or job-shop environment.
- Proficiency reading complex prints and specifications, including GD&T, and identifying material callouts and special-process requirements.
- Strong knowledge of aerospace materials, including aluminum, titanium, stainless steel, nickel alloys, and exotic alloys, and raw-material forms.
- Practical understanding of outside-processing methods, typical lead times, and quality requirements.
- Experience with ERP/MRP systems and working knowledge of BOM structure and demand signals.
- Demonstrated negotiation skills and vendor-management experience.
- Strong communication, organization, and follow-through skills; ability to work with minimal supervision.
- Advanced Excel skills for cost modeling and quote analysis, and proficiency with MS Office.
- Familiarity with AS9100/ISO and ITAR/DFARS flow-downs.
- Applicants must be U.S. persons as defined by ITAR because the position requires access to information or hardware subject to ITAR.
- Ability to work a 40-hour onsite week and be available on call.
- Ability to sit for extended periods and use hands and fingers to operate a computer keyboard, mouse, and power tools and handle computer components.
Nice To Haves
- Experience working with accredited special-process suppliers.
Responsibilities
- Analyze 2D and 3D drawings, specifications, and statements of work to determine material type, form, dimensions, quantities, and yield; perform material takeoffs for prototype and low-rate production.
- Identify required outside processes and develop cost estimates and schedule assumptions.
- Solicit, compare, and analyze supplier and processor quotes; normalize assumptions and select proposal sources based on price, lead time, capability, and quality.
- Build and maintain costed bills of materials and quote backup; prepare estimating summaries and risk and assumption logs.
- Maintain a pricing database for key materials and outside-processing services.
- Issue purchase orders for materials, components, equipment, and services, including critical or complex purchases requiring specialized knowledge and certifications.
- Review and approve requisitions, expedite purchases as needed, and coordinate with Manufacturing, Engineering, Quality, and Shipping/Receiving.
- Analyze bids, negotiate pricing, delivery, and terms, select suppliers, and evaluate vendor performance and reliability.
- Monitor delivery to support production, escalate schedule risks, and communicate status and issues to stakeholders.
- Coordinate with Shipping/Receiving to support material flow and hardware kitting when needed.
- Manage remnant inventory, including check-in/check-out, secure storage, identification, and traceability.
- Identify new sources for materials and special processing where cost, capability, or delivery can be improved.
- Improve estimating and purchasing procedures for materials and outside processing; conduct post-project reviews comparing estimates with actuals and document learnings.
- Partner with Quality to address nonconforming goods or services, determine root causes, and implement supplier or processor corrective actions.
- Use ERP/MRP systems for demand, purchase orders, status, and reporting; maintain required traceability and documentation.
- Follow contracts and customer flow-down requirements and maintain accurate supplier records, certifications, and outside-processing documentation.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Mid Level
