Senior Buyer

The Senior Buyer leads sourcing, procurement, and supplier management for optics, optical assemblies, and precision electrooptical components within the aerospace and defense sector. This role focuses on highvalue, technically complex hardware and requires strong negotiation skills, deep familiarity with government procurement regulations, and a solid understanding of optical materials, coatings, lenses, mirrors, sensors, and related manufacturing processes.

• Lead procurement activities for highvalue, technically complex optical components, optical assemblies, and precision electrooptical hardware in accordance with FAR, DFARS, ITAR, and internal company policies.
• Analyze MRP/ERP demand to plan material requirements and issue RFQs, RFPs, and purchase orders to qualified suppliers.
• Evaluate supplier quotes for technical compliance, cost, and delivery, and perform detailed cost and price analyses to support fact finding and negotiation efforts.
• Develop and maintain strong, longterm supplier relationships that support strategic sourcing initiatives and program objectives.
• Actively manage supplier performance in terms of delivery, quality, and responsiveness, and initiate corrective actions when performance does not meet expectations.
• Collaborate closely with engineering, quality, program management, contracts, and legal teams to ensure alignment with technical requirements, program goals, and contract terms.
• Support supplier risk assessments, develop mitigation strategies, and contribute to supplier improvement plans to ensure continuity of supply.
• Assist in audits and compliance reviews related to purchasing activities, documentation, and adherence to government and internal regulations.
• Lead or contribute to process improvement initiatives aimed at increasing procurement efficiency, reducing cycle times, and enhancing data accuracy.
• Ensure accurate and timely input of procurement data into ERP systems such as SAP or Oracle, maintaining data integrity across all purchasing activities.
• Maintain purchasing records and documentation in full compliance with internal procedures and applicable government regulations.
• Manage a high volume of requisitions and purchase order line items while prioritizing pullin and expedite requests to meet program schedules.
• Support buildtoprint procurement activities, ensuring purchased components and assemblies meet detailed technical specifications and quality standards.
• Participate in minimal travel to supplier sites when necessary to support negotiations, relationship development, audits, and performance reviews.
• At least 5 years of experience in procurement or supply chain, including a minimum of 3 years in the aerospace and defense industry.
• A bachelors degree in a related field or equivalent relevant experience.
• A minimum of 5 years of FAR/DFARS purchasing experience within the aerospace and defense industry.
• Direct, handson experience purchasing optical components, optical assemblies, or precision electrooptical hardware.
• Strong working knowledge of FAR, DFARS, ITAR, and other U.S. Government procurement regulations.
• Experience working with MRP/ERP systems and using them to analyze demand and manage purchasing activities.
• Demonstrated ability to negotiate effectively, manage contracts, and resolve supplier performance issues.
• Experience with buildtoprint procurement and working with detailed technical specifications.
• Proven ability to manage many requisitions and purchase order line items simultaneously while meeting deadlines.
• Experience handling pullin and expedite requests to support dynamic program schedules.
• Strong supplier management skills, including performance monitoring and corrective action implementation.
• Excellent written and verbal…