Strategic Buyer

Héroux-Devtek•Livonia, MI

5d•Onsite

About The Position

Beaver Aerospace & Defense, a Héroux-Devtek company, is seeking a Strategic Buyer to own end-to-end procurement of raw materials and purchased components across a supplier portfolio of approximately $25–$30M supporting mission-critical aerospace and defense programs. This role is approximately 90% strategic sourcing and supplier relationship management, and 10% MRP-driven material planning and production coordination, negotiating long-term agreements and ensuring uninterrupted material flow to the production floor. This job description indicates the general nature and level of the work expected and is not designed to be a comprehensive or all-inclusive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities. Other duties may be required.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in supply chain, Business, Engineering, or a related field, or equivalent combination of education and experience
5+ years of experience in a Buyer, Buyer/Planner, or Strategic Sourcing role within a manufacturing environment
Demonstrated experience managing a supplier book of $25M or greater
Proven track record of supplier relationship management, contract negotiation, and Long-Term Agreement (LTA) execution
Working knowledge of SAP, Oracle, or comparable ERP/MRP systems
Experience leading mass RFQ events and conducting cost savings analysis
Strong understanding of low-volume, forecast-driven production environments
Experience managing supplier performance through KPIs (OTD, quality, cost)
Excellent communication, negotiation, and relationship-building skills
Willingness to travel to supplier sites as required (estimated 10–20%)
Strong proficiency in Microsoft Excel and data analysis
Legal authorization to work in the United States without sponsorship
Must meet ITAR eligibility requirements
Ability to move through industrial or manufacturing areas and consistently observe established safety policies, including use of appropriate personal protective equipment

Nice To Haves

Aerospace, defense, or military supplier industry experience, or familiarity with these supplier networks
Experience in a low-volume, high-mix precision manufacturing environment
Familiarity with AS9100 quality management system requirements
APICS CPIM, CSCP, or ISM CPSM certification
Experience with cost reduction methodologies and value engineering
Prior experience supporting DoD, DLA, or major aerospace prime contractor programs

Responsibilities

Own and manage a supplier book of approximately $25–$30M across raw materials and purchased components
Build and maintain strong, long-term relationships with strategic suppliers, including regular on-site visits and travel as needed
Negotiate pricing, payment terms, lead times, and Long-Term Agreements (LTAs) to support program stability and cost performance
Lead mass RFQ events for new and recurring requirements, evaluating supplier responses on price, capability, capacity, lead time, and quality
Drive cost savings initiatives through strategic sourcing, supplier consolidation, contract renegotiation, and value engineering
Manage supplier performance against established KPIs including on-time delivery (OTD), quality, responsiveness, and cost
Resolve supplier issues including late deliveries, quality non-conformances, and capacity constraints; escalate appropriately
Conduct supplier risk assessments and develop mitigation strategies to ensure continuity of supply
Read and act on MRP output to drive purchase order creation, vendor release schedules, and material flow to the production floor
Maintain accurate planning parameters in SAP/ERP including lead times, safety stock, reorder points, and minimum order quantities
Coordinate daily with production supervisors, manufacturing engineering, and quality teams to align material availability with production schedules
Support forecast-driven planning in a low-volume, high-mix aerospace manufacturing environment
Track inventory levels and drive corrective actions to prevent shortages and excess
Develop and present cost savings analyses, supplier scorecards, and procurement performance reporting to leadership
Use data analytics to identify trends, risks, and improvement opportunities across the supplier base
Maintain accurate procurement and planning documentation to support compliance with AS9100, ITAR, and customer contractual requirements
Drive continuous improvement initiatives within the supply chain function