ALI - Purchasing Agent III

Calista Corporation•Houston, TX

31d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Buyer II/III is an intermediate-to-senior procurement professional responsible for performing and administering a broad range of purchasing activities in support of company programs and customer requirements. The position manages procurement actions across the full purchasing spectrum, ranging from micro-purchases, purchase card transactions, routine commercial purchases, and low-dollar requirements to large-dollar, technically complex, critical, and/or higher-risk acquisitions. The Buyer II/III performs the procurement lifecycle, including requisition review, acquisition planning, market research, supplier sourcing, solicitation, proposal evaluation, price analysis, negotiation, purchase order placement, supplier management, administration, delivery coordination, invoice resolution, and closeout. The position exercises judgment commensurate with the complexity, dollar value, risk, and contractual requirements of each procurement. More complex, sensitive, or higher-risk procurement actions may require additional review or approval by the Purchasing Manager or other authorized management. The Buyer II/III may procure aircraft parts and components, maintenance and repair services, engineering and technical services, calibration and testing, tooling and equipment, logistics and transportation services, training, commercial products and services, and other materials and services required to support company and customer operations.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Business Administration, Procurement, Finance, Contract Management, or a related discipline is preferred.
Relevant procurement, supply-chain, aerospace, or government-contracting experience may be considered in lieu of formal education consistent with company requirements.
Typically requires three (3) to seven (7) years of progressively responsible purchasing, procurement, subcontract administration, supply-chain, or related experience, with position level and responsibilities determined based upon demonstrated knowledge and experience.
Experience should include progressively responsible involvement in supplier sourcing, competitive solicitations, purchase order placement, supplier negotiations, price analysis, supplier management, and procurement documentation.
Government contracting, aerospace, aviation, defense, manufacturing, maintenance/repair/overhaul (MRO), or another regulated industry is preferred.
Knowledge of purchasing, procurement, and supply-chain principles.
Ability to manage multiple procurement actions of varying dollar values and complexity simultaneously.
Ability to conduct market research and identify qualified sources.
Ability to solicit, evaluate, negotiate, award, and administer purchase orders.
Ability to perform and document price analysis appropriate to the procurement.
Working knowledge of FAR requirements applicable to purchasing activities under federal prime contracts is preferred.
Strong analytical, negotiation, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
Ability to read and understand Statements of Work, specifications, supplier quotations, proposals, purchase requisitions, and contractual requirements.
Strong written communication skills and ability to prepare clear and audit-ready procurement documentation.
Strong verbal communication and supplier relationship-management skills.
Ability to exercise independent judgment while recognizing matters requiring management review or escalation.
Ability to prioritize urgent and mission-critical requirements while maintaining procurement compliance.
Strong proficiency with Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook, and applicable purchasing or ERP systems.

Nice To Haves

Experience supporting NASA, Department of Defense, or other federal government programs.
Experience purchasing aircraft parts, aviation services, MRO services, engineering services, technical services, and specialized aerospace equipment.
Experience conducting competitive and sole-source procurements.
Experience preparing price analyses, procurement summaries, negotiation memoranda, and source-selection documentation.
Knowledge of CPSR requirements and government contractor purchasing-system expectations.
Experience supporting internal, customer, or government procurement audits.
Professional procurement or contract-management certification such as CPSM, C.P.M., CPCM, CFCM, or equivalent is desirable but not required.

Responsibilities

Manage assigned procurement actions from receipt of an approved purchase requisition through award, administration, delivery, invoice resolution, and closeout.
Process procurement requirements ranging from micro-purchases and routine purchases to large-dollar and complex acquisitions.
Utilize appropriate purchasing methods based upon dollar value, complexity, urgency, competition, availability, contractual requirements, and company procurement procedures.
Review purchase requisitions, Statements of Work (SOWs), specifications, drawings, bills of material, and other technical documentation for completeness and procurement readiness.
Conduct market research and identify qualified suppliers using approved vendor sources, OEMs, authorized distributors, manufacturers, repair facilities, historical procurement information, industry resources, and other appropriate sources.
Develop and issue Requests for Quote (RFQs), Requests for Proposal (RFPs), Requests for Information (RFIs), and other solicitation documents as appropriate.
Obtain and evaluate supplier quotations and proposals for price, delivery, technical compliance, quality requirements, commercial terms, and overall responsiveness.
Prepare, issue, administer, modify, and close purchase orders and other authorized procurement instruments within assigned purchasing authority.
Perform purchase card and micro-purchase transactions when appropriate and in accordance with company policies and established purchasing controls.
Support urgent, mission-critical, and Aircraft on Ground (AOG) requirements while maintaining required procurement documentation and approvals.
Promote competition to the maximum practical extent consistent with company procedures, contractual requirements, schedule, and market conditions.
Solicit qualified suppliers and document competition obtained.
Evaluate quotations and proposals based on applicable procurement criteria, including price, technical compliance, delivery, quality, past performance, supplier capability, risk, and other solicitation requirements.
Support Lowest Price Technically Acceptable (LPTA), Best Value, and other source-selection methodologies when applicable.
Prepare procurement summaries, bid evaluations, award recommendations, sole-source documentation, and other records necessary to establish the basis for supplier selection.
Identify and resolve supplier exceptions, assumptions, qualifications, and deviations prior to award.
Evaluate proposed pricing and document price reasonableness at a level appropriate to the dollar value, complexity, and risk of the procurement.
Communicate and negotiate with suppliers regarding price, delivery, payment terms, warranty, freight, schedule, quality requirements, commercial terms, and other procurement considerations.
Conduct negotiations appropriate to the complexity and value of assigned procurement actions.
Seek opportunities for cost savings, cost avoidance, improved delivery, favorable payment terms, warranty protection, and other commercial benefits.
Coordinate significant contractual exceptions, unusual supplier terms, or elevated business risks with the Purchasing Manager, Contracts, Legal, Finance, or other appropriate functional organizations.
Document negotiations when required by company procedures or the nature of the procurement.
Perform purchasing activities in accordance with Yulista policies and procedures, applicable prime contract requirements, customer requirements, and incorporated federal acquisition requirements.
Maintain working knowledge of applicable Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR), agency supplemental requirements, and other federal contracting requirements relevant to assigned procurements.
Determine or coordinate applicable contractual flow-down requirements based upon the type and value of the procurement.
Support compliance requirements involving, as applicable: Competition and sole-source procurement; Commercial products and commercial services; Price and cost analysis; Truthful Cost or Pricing Data; Service Contract Labor Standards; Buy American and Trade Agreements; Defense Priorities and Allocations System (DPAS); Government property; Quality and inspection requirements; Representations and certifications; Small business requirements; and Other applicable contractual and regulatory requirements.
Maintain complete and accurate procurement files appropriate to the value, complexity, and risk of the procurement.
Support internal reviews, customer reviews, government audits, Contractor Purchasing System Reviews (CPSRs), and other procurement compliance activities.
Develop and maintain professional relationships with OEMs, distributors, manufacturers, repair facilities, service providers, and other suppliers.
Coordinate supplier qualification and onboarding requirements.
Monitor supplier performance, delivery commitments, quality requirements, open orders, and contractual obligations.
Resolve late deliveries, invoice discrepancies, quality issues, rejected material, warranty claims, core returns, and other supplier performance matters.
Identify alternate sources and support mitigation of supply-chain risks involving obsolete, long-lead, limited-source, or mission-critical products and services.
Maintain appropriate communication with suppliers and internal stakeholders regarding procurement status and potential risks.
Support procurement activities associated with aerospace, aviation, aircraft maintenance, engineering, logistics, and other assigned program requirements.
Procure aircraft components, rotables, consumables, tooling, ground support equipment, maintenance and overhaul services, engineering services, calibration services, training, transportation, and other operational requirements.
Evaluate applicable aviation procurement requirements such as traceability, airworthiness documentation, certificates of conformity, FAA/EASA documentation, OEM requirements, component condition, repair and overhaul requirements, core exchanges, warranties, shelf life, and technical documentation.
Coordinate closely with Program Management, Maintenance, Engineering, Quality, Contracts, Finance, Property, Logistics, and other functional organizations.
Independently manage routine and moderately complex procurement actions and progressively assume responsibility for larger-dollar, technically complex, mission-critical, and higher-risk requirements based upon demonstrated experience and assigned purchasing authority.
Provide procurement guidance and assistance to less-experienced buyers when requested.
Share sourcing information, supplier knowledge, pricing history, and procurement best practices with the purchasing team.
Assist the Purchasing Manager with market research, complex solicitations, supplier negotiations, procurement file reviews, process improvements, and special projects.
May review procurement documentation prepared by other buyers when assigned.
May assist in training Buyer I, Buyer II, or other procurement personnel.