Procurement Manager

About Primus Aerospace

Primus Aerospace is a leading provider of precision machining, fabrication, and integrated assembly for the aerospace, defense, and space industries. We specialize in complex, tight-tolerance components using advanced machining and high-performance alloys. Our culture emphasizes teamwork, continuous improvement, and operational excellence.

The Purchasing Manager oversees all procurement, sourcing, materials management, and logistics activities to ensure timely, cost-effective, and compliant acquisition of raw materials, components, and outside processes for a high-tolerance AS9100-certified aerospace and defense manufacturing facility. This role also provides site leadership over shipping and receiving operations at our Reisterstown, MD facility. Success in this role requires strong knowledge of aerospace supply chains, build-to-print machining environments, supplier performance management, and cross-functional coordination to support production schedules, inventory needs, and quality requirements.

The Procurement Manager oversees a team responsible for purchasing and logistics operations. Direct reports include Buyer – Raw Materials & Outside Processing (OSP), and Two Shipping & Receiving Technicians.

Performance is evaluated on measurable outcomes that support operational readiness and the manager’s ability to control costs, maintain material flow, and ensure strong supplier execution.

• Purchasing Price Variance (PPV):
  Maintain favorable PPV through effective negotiation and supplier strategy.
• Cost Reduction Initiatives:
  Annual measurable cost savings through strategic sourcing and supplier consolidation.

• Inventory Turns:
  Improve inventory turnover while maintaining adequate production support and reducing excess/obsolete materials.
• Material Availability:
  Achieve >98–99% raw material availability for scheduled jobs.

• Outside Process Lead Time Reduction:
  Year-over-year reduction in average OSP lead times (e.g., plating, heat treat, NDT, etc.).
• On-Time Delivery From Suppliers/OSP:
  Meet defined on-time delivery targets to support production schedules.

• Machine Downtime Due To Late Materials or OSP:
  Reduce machine downtime occurrences resulting from delayed raw materials or late outsourced processes.
• Accuracy of Receiving & Shipping Documentation:
  Maintain a high rate of certification/documentation compliance (99%+ accuracy).

• Identify, qualify, and manage suppliers for raw materials (metals, plastics, specialty alloys, etc.) and outside processes (heat treat, plating, NDT, grinding, etc.).
• Develop and maintain a strong supply base capable of meeting aerospace/defense requirements, including traceability and certification standards.
• Manage vendor performance through a balanced scorecard approach, tracking quality, delivery, cost, responsiveness, and documentation accuracy.
• Negotiate pricing, terms, and delivery schedules to support cost-reduction and on-time delivery goals.
• Monitor supplier performance and implement corrective actions as needed.
• Maintain supplier performance metrics, ensuring compliance with AS9100 standards, traceability requirements, certification accuracy, and documentation completeness.
• Ensure compliance with AS9100, ITAR, DFARS, and all relevant customer, regulatory, and export requirements.

• Execute and manage purchase orders for materials, tooling, consumables, and outsourced processes.
• Review and interpret engineering drawings, specifications, and customer requirements to ensure correct material and process selection.
• Ensure all purchased materials and services meet quality, certification, and documentation requirements (e.g., material certs, process certs, Certificates of Conformance).
• Track open orders and communicate regularly with production, planning, and quality teams regarding status.

• Oversee all inbound and outbound shipment operations, including packaging, labeling,…