The Senior Buyer is responsible for sourcing, negotiating, and procuring materials, components, and services to support drone manufacturing operations across multiple U.S. sites. This role ensures supply continuity, cost competitiveness, and supplier performance in alignment with company production goals and quality standards. The Senior Buyer serves as a strategic partner to engineering, production, and quality teams, driving supply chain efficiency, risk mitigation, and long-term supplier relationships.

Responsibilities

Develop and execute purchasing strategies for materials, electronics, composites, and mechanical assemblies used in UAV/drone production.
Manage the full procurement cycle — from RFQ to PO issuance, delivery tracking, and invoice resolution.
Identify, evaluate, and qualify suppliers based on cost, quality, capability, and compliance requirements (AS9100, ITAR, DFARS).
Negotiate pricing, terms, and long-term supply agreements to achieve cost savings and strategic alignment.
Collaborate with engineering and operations to source new components, manage engineering change orders (ECOs), and ensure accurate BOM alignment.
Maintain supplier scorecards and performance metrics; lead corrective actions when necessary.
Monitor market trends, material lead times, and supply chain disruptions to proactively adjust sourcing plans.
Work closely with Material Planners to ensure on-time availability of critical components to meet production schedules.
Support multi-site procurement efforts across the U.S., including California, Utah, and Georgia operations.
Support and independently manage special projects in support of the Supply Chain Group
Ensure all purchasing activities meet compliance standards for export control (ITAR/EAR), cybersecurity (CMMC), and ethical sourcing.
Drive continuous improvement in procurement processes, supplier communication, and ERP/MRP system accuracy.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management, Business, Engineering, or related field.
Minimum of 5–7 years of progressive purchasing or sourcing experience in aerospace, defense, or advanced manufacturing.
Proven track record in strategic sourcing, cost negotiation, and supplier management.
Experience with ERP/MRP systems (SAP, Epicor, NetSuite, or equivalent).
Understanding of manufacturing processes for electronics, composites, machined parts, and assemblies.
Familiarity with AS9100, ITAR, DFARS, and supplier quality requirements.

Nice to have

Excellent organizational and time management skills with high attention to detail.
Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities.
Effective communication skills for cross-departmental collaboration.
Ability to thrive under tight deadlines and shifting priorities.
Working knowledge of Lean Manufacturing, 5S, and continuous improvement principles preferred.
APICS/CPIM certification a plus.