Purchasing Buyer

Aston Carter•Wichita, KS

8d•$23 - $25•Onsite

About The Position

The Purchasing Buyer procures materials and services that support the manufacturing of aerospace and defense components. This role manages the full purchasing lifecycle, including sourcing, quoting, negotiating, and issuing purchase orders for hardware, consumables, raw stock, tooling, outsourced machining and surface treatments, MRO items, and other goods and services. The Buyer works within an ERP/MRP system to maintain accurate data, ensure on-time delivery, and support customer schedules. Success in this position requires strong supply chain acumen, sound business judgment, effective communication, and a commitment to ethical purchasing practices.

Requirements

Minimum of two (2) years of experience in a purchasing or supply chain role within a manufacturing environment.
Experience buying for manufacturing operations and tracking purchase orders for on-time delivery.
Demonstrated experience using ERP and MRP systems; experience with Infor Visual is preferred.
Knowledge of export controls, ITAR, and CMMC is required.
Strong organizational, negotiation, interpersonal, and communication skills.
Proven analytical, problem-solving, and critical thinking abilities to handle unexpected challenges appropriately.
Demonstrated commitment to maintaining confidentiality, securing company records, and acting with integrity in all communications and actions.
Effective self-management skills, including efficiency, a strong sense of urgency, adaptability, and the ability to manage multiple projects and competing priorities while meeting concurrent deadlines.
Computer proficiency with Microsoft Office applications, including Outlook, Excel, PowerPoint, Word, and Teams/SharePoint.
Intermediate Excel skills, including creation of pivot tables, VLOOKUPs, charts, graphs, and other formulas.
Professional verbal and written communication skills in English for interaction with suppliers and internal stakeholders.
Ability to work effectively within a small manufacturing environment and oversee purchasing-related activities that support a team of full-time employees.

Nice To Haves

Experience in the aerospace or defense industry is strongly preferred.
Experience working in an AS9100 and/or Nadcap accredited company is preferred.
Bachelor's degree in business administration or a related field is preferred.
Supply chain certification from APICS, ISM, or a similar professional organization is preferred.
Experience with shipping and receiving processes, including coordination with carriers such as FedEx.
Experience in logistics, inventory control, warehouse management, and packaging is beneficial.
Familiarity with continuous improvement methodologies and a mindset focused on process enhancement.
Ability to coordinate and host vendor visits and participate in supplier or customer meetings.
Willingness and ability to travel to supplier and/or customer sites as needed.

Responsibilities

Maintain the timeliness, accuracy, and integrity of MRP data entered into the ERP system, including lead times, planned costs, payment terms, and other key parameters.
Use MRP data and internal customer quotes to prepare and obtain supplier quotations (RFQs) for required materials and services.
Negotiate or support the negotiation of long-term agreements (LTAs) with suppliers and monitor compliance with these agreements when applicable.
Review supplier bids and negotiate pricing to achieve the best possible value while meeting all quality and delivery requirements.
Coordinate purchasing activities with operations, project management, and engineering to acquire inventory cost-effectively and ensure timely receipt of goods in line with inventory objectives.
Create and issue purchase orders and order changes using the MRP system, and perform daily system monitoring and maintenance for materials and services.
Ensure order confirmation and acceptance for each purchase order released to the supply chain, and manage issue resolution through final delivery.
Track actual purchase spend against customer quotes and escalate major deviations for management review before issuing purchase orders.
Monitor shortage situations and past-due purchase orders, communicate status promptly, and negotiate expedited shipping or other solutions to minimize schedule interruptions.
Maintain monthly supplier performance metrics and ensure accurate supplier quality certifications are recorded in the ERP system.
Communicate professionally and courteously in English with suppliers and coworkers via telephone, email, and in-person interactions to convey clear and concise information.
Travel to supplier and/or customer sites as requested, coordinate and host vendor visits, and attend meetings as needed to support supply chain activities.
Encourage operational excellence by thinking innovatively, suggesting process improvements, and participating in continuous improvement initiatives where appropriate.
Support shipping and receiving activities as needed to ensure accurate and timely processing of incoming and outgoing materials.
Assist with warehouse management, including organization of inventory, storage locations, and material handling processes.
Perform cycle counts and support inventory control efforts to maintain accurate stock records and minimize discrepancies.
Track purchase orders for on-time delivery and follow up with suppliers to resolve delays or issues.
Support logistics and packaging requirements, including coordination with carriers and use of services such as FedEx to meet delivery commitments.
Perform other related duties as assigned to support overall supply chain and operations objectives.
Maintain regular on-site attendance at the workplace to effectively collaborate with the team and oversee day-to-day purchasing and materials activities.