Technical Buyer

The Technical Buyer is responsible for leading procurement and supplier management activities across assigned programs, products, and commodities. This role works closely with Engineering, Program Management, Manufacturing, Quality, and Finance to ensure material, equipment, and services are sourced and delivered in support of program objectives. 

The successful candidate will proactively manage supplier performance, delivery schedules, procurement risks, and material readiness while supporting new product introduction (NPI) and production activities. 

Key Responsibilities:

Tactical Purchasing & Supplier Management 

• Execute day-to-day purchasing activities in support of Engineering, Manufacturing, Operations, Test, Logistics, and corporate functions 

• Process purchase requests, obtain supplier quotations, evaluate pricing and lead times, and issue purchase orders in a timely manner

• Expedite purchase orders to ensure on-time delivery of materials, equipment, and services

• Monitor open purchase orders, supplier acknowledgements, delivery commitments, and shipment status, proactively resolving delays and discrepancies

• Perform routine commercial negotiations for pricing, delivery, and payment terms

• Serve as the primary day-to-day purchasing contact for assigned suppliers

• Coordinate supplier onboarding activities and maintain approved supplier documentation

• Escalate supplier delivery, quality, and supply risks with recommended mitigation actions

• Monitor supplier performance and support supplier accountability for schedule, quality, and responsiveness

 Operations & Cross-Functional Support 

• Partner with Engineering, Manufacturing, Production, Program Management, Finance, and other internal stakeholders to understand purchasing priorities and material requirements

• Respond quickly to changing priorities and urgent procurement requests in a fast-paced environment

• Coordinate with suppliers and internal stakeholders to ensure timely material availability, providing regular updates on open orders, critical deliveries, and schedule risks

• Coordinate with Receiving, Quality, and Accounts Payable to resolve purchasing, inspection, invoice, and payment issues

• Support new product introduction (NPI) activities by purchasing prototype and development hardware

• Support operational purchasing requirements for Manufacturing, Logistics, and Inventory Management

• Participate in production and program standups as required, communicating material availability, supplier risks, and delivery status

• Support production issue resolution related to supplier performance or material availability

Systems & Continuous Improvement

• Maintain accurate procurement, supplier, inventory, and ERP records

• Support inventory replenishment, material tracking, and inventory management activities

• Identify opportunities to improve purchasing efficiency, supplier responsiveness, and procurement processes

• Support the implementation and continuous improvement of procurement systems, workflows, reporting, and automation initiatives

• Contribute to process standardization and best practices across the Supply Chain function

• Maintain a high level of urgency, accuracy, and customer service while managing multiple competing priorities

Required Skills & Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree or diploma in Supply Chain, Business, Operations, or a related field, or equivalent practical experience

• 2+ years of purchasing, procurement, or supply chain experience in a manufacturing or fast-paced operational environment

• Experience processing purchase orders, obtaining supplier quotations, and managing supplier deliveries

• Strong understanding of purchasing processes, order management, and supplier coordination

• Experience using ERP/MRP systems (e.g., NetSuite, SAP, Oracle, Microsoft Dynamics) and Microsoft Excel

• Excellent organizational skills with strong attention to detail and accuracy

• Proven ability to manage multiple priorities, respond to changing business needs, and meet tight deadlines

• Strong communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to work effectively across Engineering, Manufacturing, Operations, Finance, and other business functions

• Customer-focused mindset with a sense of urgency and a proactive approach to problem-solving

• Experience expediting suppliers, resolving delivery issues, and coordinating with internal stakeholders to maintain material availability

• Experience in Aerospace, Defense, Space, Electronics, Robotics, high-tech manufacturing, or a regulated industry is considered an asset

Bonus Points:

• Experience supporting NPI and production programs

• Familiarity with supplier quality processes and corrective action management

• Experience working with complex electromechanical assemblies and long-lead components

• Familiarity with supplier quality processes, corrective actions, and supplier performance management 

• Professional supply chain certification (SCMP, CPSM, CSCP, APICS, or equivalent)

• CIPS – Chartered Institute of Procurement & Supply (MCIPS or FCIPS)