Project Buyer

Description

At AKG, we believe great people build great products. We are looking for dependable, safety-focused team members who want to grow their skills and be part of a company that values teamwork, accountability, respect, and continuous improvement.

At AKG, we believe great people build great products. We are looking for dependable, safety-focused team members who want to grow their skills and be part of a company that values teamwork, accountability, respect, and continuous improvement.

If you enjoy hands-on work, problem-solving, and working with precision equipment in a manufacturing environment, we encourage you to apply. We will train you...

• Competitive pay based on experience
• Shift differential opportunities
• GREAT Medical, dental, and vision benefits the first of the month after 30 days
• Company Paid Life Insurance, STD insurance and LTD insurance
• PTO and paid holidays
• 401(k) with amazing company match
• Training and advancement opportunities
• Stable manufacturing environment
• Employee recognition programs
• Team-oriented culture focused on safety and respect

The Project Buyer is responsible for developing and executing sourcing and supplier strategies for customer projects within Railway, Defense, Energy, and other strategic growth markets. The role supports projects from opportunity assessment and quotation through supplier selection, project execution, production launch, and customer acceptance. Working closely with Sales, Engineering, Commodity Management, Supplier Quality, Operations, Material Planning, and Logistics, the Project Buyer ensures supplier capabilities, sourcing strategies, compliance requirements, and project risks are addressed before customer commitments are made.

The Project Buyer helps strengthen AKG's competitive position by developing supplier networks, identifying new sourcing opportunities, building industry relationships, and supporting faster, more competitive quotations while ensuring successful project execution.

• Strategic Supplier Development & Industry Engagement
• Identify, evaluate, develop, and onboard suppliers capable of supporting current and future business opportunities.
• Build and maintain relationships with suppliers, industry organizations, customers, and strategic business partners.
• Partner with Commodity Managers to leverage existing suppliers while identifying and developing new suppliers when project requirements exceed current supply chain capabilities.
• Attend trade shows, exhibitions, supplier conferences, customer events, and industry networking opportunities.
• Identify new suppliers, technologies, manufacturing capabilities, and market opportunities that strengthen AKG's competitive position.
• Develop and maintain a network of suppliers capable of supporting future customer programs before project requirements arise.
• Project Procurement Management
• Lead procurement-related activities for assigned projects from project award through production launch and customer acceptance.
• Develop and maintain project procurement plans, supplier action lists, sourcing plans, and risk mitigation activities.
• Coordinate supplier deliverables, timing requirements, approvals, documentation, and project milestones.
• Monitor supplier readiness throughout the project lifecycle.
• Support prototype, validation, pre-production, first article, and production launch activities.
• Ensure supplier activities support project schedules and customer commitments.
• Support engineering change implementation and supplier coordination activities.
• Customer Requirements, Compliance & Documentation
• Review customer specifications and ensure supplier-related requirements are understood and implemented throughout the supply chain.
• Coordinate supplier…