Senior Buyer

Chandler, AZ, United States

Job Title:

Sr. Buyer Department:
Purchasing

Reports To:

Purchasing Manager Position Summary The Senior Buyer supports production continuity by executing direct-material purchasing requirements in a fast-paced aerospace and defense manufacturing environment. This hands-on position converts material demand into accurate purchase orders, monitors supplier commitments, expedites critical materials, resolves shortages and delivery issues, and supports supplier performance and purchasing compliance. The role works closely with planning, manufacturing, engineering, quality, and strategic sourcing to keep materials available and production moving.

The position is primarily focused on purchasing execution rather than independent strategic sourcing or ownership of complex commercial negotiations.

Key Responsibilities Purchasing Execution & Production Support
• Execute purchase orders and blanket purchase orders against approved requirements; maintain accurate order data, pricing, lead times, delivery schedules, and terms and conditions.
• Interpret ERP/MRP demand signals, track supplier acknowledgments, manage exceptions, and proactively expedite or reschedule materials to prevent production disruption.
• Resolve shortages, supplier pushouts, discrepancies, and material availability concerns through timely cross-functional coordination and data-driven problem-solving.
• Purchase direct materials to engineering specifications and drawings; communicate applicable quality codes, technical requirements, and customer flow-down requirements to suppliers.
• Maintain complete and accurate procurement documentation in accordance with purchasing policies and applicable government-contract requirements.

Supplier Performance & Coordination
• Monitor supplier scorecards, on-time delivery, risks, and corrective actions; coordinate recovery plans and follow through on commitments.
• Support supplier onboarding, qualification, transitions, and basic capability assessments in partnership with appropriate stakeholders.
• Plan and facilitate supplier meetings and business reviews, including agendas, appropriate participants, action logs, and follow-up.
• Facilitate discussions concerning pricing, payment terms, delivery schedules, and commercial terms, escalating complex negotiations and approval decisions to management or strategic sourcing.
• Identify potential supplier and material lifecycle risks, including obsolescence, and recommend practical mitigation actions.

Operational Excellence & Collaboration
• Analyze purchasing and supplier data using Excel and ERP/MRP reporting to identify root causes, evaluate alternatives, and support fact-based decisions.
• Coordinate with planning, production, engineering, quality, and other teams to resolve changing priorities and meet customer requirements.
• Participate in continuous improvement and standard-work activities using Lean, Six Sigma, or Ralliant Business Systems principles as applicable.
• Support cross-training and onboarding of other buyers as experience develops; this is an individual-contributor role with no direct reports.
• Manage assigned commodities and adapt to changing commodity assignments and business priorities as needed.

Required Qualifications
• At least three years of purchasing experience supporting manufacturing or production, including direct-material procurement and purchase-order execution.
• At least three years of experience working in an ERP/MRP purchasing environment; no particular platform is required.
• Working knowledge of purchase-order terms, payment terms, delivery schedules, supplier follow-up, and purchasing documentation.
• Experience managing supplier delivery issues, material shortages, and competing production…