Job Title: Senior Buyer - Aerospace & Defense Location: Columbus MS Position Type: Full-time, Permanent Job Summary: We are seeking an experienced and highly skilled Senior Buyer to join our procurement team in the aerospace and defense sector. The Senior Buyer will play a crucial role in managing strategic sourcing, supplier relationships, and purchasing activities to support our company’s objectives in quality, delivery, and cost-effectiveness. This role requires a deep understanding of aerospace and defense industry requirements, including compliance, quality standards, and risk management. Key Responsibilities: • Strategic Sourcing and Supplier Management: • Identify, assess, and qualify suppliers to ensure alignment with company objectives, compliance with industry standards, and delivery reliability. • Develop and implement sourcing strategies to optimize costs, ensure quality, and mitigate risks. • Negotiate contracts, terms, and conditions to secure favorable terms that meet the company’s cost, quality, and lead-time requirements. • Maintain and strengthen relationships with key suppliers, ensuring alignment on strategic goals. • Strong cost reduction background in material, component, sub-assemblies, Design to specification items • Procurement and Inventory Management: • Manage the end-to-end procurement process for assigned categories, including RFQs, PO generation, and order tracking. • Optimize inventory levels to meet demand forecasts while minimizing excess and obsolescence. • Collaborate with internal stakeholders (Engineering, Quality, Production) to ensure material availability and timely delivery. • Monitor and report on supplier performance, conducting regular reviews and taking corrective action as needed. • Compliance and Documentation: • Ensure all procurement activities comply with regulatory standards, including ITAR, DFARS, FAR, and other relevant aerospace and defense regulations. • Maintain accurate records of purchases, pricing, and other important data for auditing and reporting purposes. • Manage import/export compliance requirements, collaborating with logistics teams to ensure smooth flow of goods. • Continuous Improvement: • Identify opportunities for process improvements and cost savings within the procurement function. • Stay updated on industry trends, market conditions, and new technologies that could benefit sourcing and procurement activities. • Lead and mentor junior members of the purchasing team, providing guidance in best practices, problem-solving, and career development. Qualifications: • Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management, Business, Engineering, or related field; a Master’s degree is a plus. • 5+ years of procurement experience, preferably within the aerospace or defense sector. • In-depth knowledge of industry regulations, including ITAR, DFARS, and FAR. • Strong negotiation and contract management skills. • Proven track record in strategic sourcing and supplier management, especially with highly regulated or high-specification suppliers. • Experience with ERP/MRP systems; familiarity with SAP, Oracle, or similar platforms is preferred. • APICS or ISM certification (such as CPSM or CPIM) is highly desirable. • Excellent communication, problem-solving, and analytical skills. • Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced, cross-functional team environment.