Purchasing Manager Job Granby area,Connecticut USA,Supply Chain/Logistics

We are seeking a Purchasing Manager to lead procurement operations at an aerospace and defense manufacturing facility in the Northwest Hartford area. This role oversees a team of Buyers and is responsible for ensuring the timely, cost-effective, and quality-focused acquisition of materials, components, and services to support production and business operations.

The Purchasing Manager will drive supplier performance, negotiate contracts, implement cost-saving initiatives, and collaborate with Material Planning, Production, Engineering, and Quality. The ideal candidate brings strong aerospace procurement experience, proven leadership skills, and a solid understanding of supply chain compliance and risk management.

Key Responsibilities

Lead, mentor, and develop a team of Buyers and Procurement Specialists
Develop and execute purchasing strategies aligned with production schedules and business objectives
Identify, evaluate, and negotiate with suppliers to achieve cost, quality, and delivery targets
Establish long-term supplier agreements and contracts to support supply chain continuity
Monitor supplier performance and drive corrective actions to address delivery, quality, and responsiveness issues
Manage supplier risks, including capacity constraints, financial stability, geopolitical factors, and single-source dependencies
Partner with Material Planning, Production, Engineering, and Quality to ensure material availability
Optimize ERP/MRP purchasing parameters to balance inventory levels, lead times, and production requirements
Drive cost savings and cost avoidance through supplier negotiations, value engineering, and process improvements
Establish departmental goals, KPIs, and performance expectations
Lead continuous improvement initiatives across procurement processes and policies
Ensure compliance with customer flow-down requirements, FAR/DFARS, ITAR/EAR, CPSR, AS9100, and applicable company policies
Support internal and external audits related to purchasing and supplier management

Qualifications

Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Business Administration, Engineering, or a related field
7+ years of progressive procurement or purchasing experience, including at least 3 years in a leadership role within aerospace or defense
Strong understanding of aerospace manufacturing supply chains, supplier qualification, and regulatory requirements
Demonstrated experience in contract negotiation, cost reduction, and supplier development
Proficiency with ERP/MRP systems such as SAP, Oracle, IFS, or similar platforms
Strong analytical, negotiation, problem-solving, and communication skills
Experience leading cross-functional projects and influencing stakeholders
Proven ability to lead, develop, and motivate a team

Preferred Qualifications

APICS/CPIM, CPSM, PMP, or similar professional certification
Experience with strategic sourcing and long-term supplier agreements
Knowledge of FAR/DFARS, ITAR/EAR, CPSR, and AS9100 requirements
Experience with supplier risk management, corrective actions, and performance improvement programs
Background in Lean or continuous improvement methodologies
Understanding of inventory turns, material availability, supplier quality, and procurement performance metrics

Why Join?

Lead a critical procurement function supporting aerospace and defense manufacturing
Develop a team while shaping supplier relationships and purchasing strategies
Drive measurable improvements in cost, quality, delivery, and supply chain performance
Collaborate with cross-functional teams to support production and business objectives
Contribute to continuous improvement in a highly regulated manufacturing environment