Procurement Manager

Procurement Manager, Aerospace Manufacturing

Kentucky (Hybrid) | $135,000 to $145,000 base + 10% bonus

About the business:

I'm partnering with a global Tier 1 aerospace manufacturer, part of one of the largest engineering groups in the world, to appoint a Procurement Manager at in Kentucky.

The role:

You'll lead day-to-day procurement of raw materials, parts, equipment and operating supplies for the site's production, and drive lean enterprise principles through the whole procurement process. You'll report to the Division Sourcing and Procurement Manager and lead a team of 5 buyers, with plans to grow it.

This is a hands-on, tactical leadership role. You'll own the book of business, so the site always knows where parts are and when they will land. You'll lead recovery plans when suppliers slip and hold suppliers accountable for quality, delivery, service and cost.

Key responsibilities:

Supplier performance and delivery:

• Drive improvement across supplier schedule compliance, purchase cost, on-time performance, on-time receipt and lead time
• Lead supplier recovery plans and keep clear visibility of inbound parts and expected delivery dates
• Build strong supplier relationships with consistent, robust communication
• Work with suppliers on continuous improvement programs covering quality, delivery, service and price
• Visit US-based suppliers (up to 15% travel) and make sure every visit ends with a clear follow-up plan

Procurement operations and compliance:

• Lead all procurement and materials management activity, including order placement, supplier follow-up and compliance with government procurement regulations
• Support sourcing for new products and new product introduction (NPI) activities
• Organize and implement cost reduction initiatives that give the division the best return for the lowest spend
• Help define and implement automated systems that plan and track material flow from customer, through procurement, to delivery

Data, KPIs and reporting:

• Track and analyze procurement KPIs for customers, management and the team
• Produce ad hoc analysis and present findings to leadership in clear PowerPoint presentations
• Manage buyer workload so priorities are balanced and nothing falls through the cracks

Leadership and culture:

• Lead, coach and develop a team of 5 buyers, most of whom are working toward their next step up
• Drive culture change across the buying function, bringing the whole team along, including anyone who is slower to embrace new ways of working
• Encourage buyers to travel to suppliers more and make those visits count
• Lead and support cross-functional projects with operations, sourcing, production planning, quality and IT
• Champion continuous improvement and suggest efficiency and cost improvements across the site

What you'll bring:

• 5+ years of supply chain, procurement or purchasing management experience with direct reports (5 to 7 years ideal)
• A background in manufacturing procurement, with aerospace or defense strongly preferred
• A 4-year bachelor's degree, ideally in business, engineering, supply chain or materials management (an associate's degree does not meet the requirement)
• A supply chain certification (APICS / ASCM, ISM or similar) is a plus
• Strong SAP experience, or deep experience with another ERP / MRP system
• A working understanding of cost accounting and how to apply it in practice
• Hands-on lean and continuous improvement experience, with a problem-solving, growth mindset
• Strong analytical skills and confidence presenting data to senior stakeholders
• Excellent communication skills with suppliers, internal teams and leadership

This role involves defense contracts and is subject to US export control (ITAR) requirements, so you must be a US citizen. The employer runs a drug-free workplace, and all offers are subject to drug testing.