Procurement Specialist
FLSA STATUS: Exempt
DEPARTMENT: Purchasing
SUPERVISOR: General Manager (Dotted line to Finance Manager)
DIRECT REPORTS: None.
Position Summary
We are seeking a highly skilled and detail-oriented Procurement Specialist to join our team. This role will be responsible for sourcing, negotiating, and managing suppliers to ensure the timely and cost-effective procurement of materials and components required for cable assembly and wire harness manufacturing in the Aerospace, Defense and Specialty industry.
Minimum Qualifications
Education:
- Bachelor’s degree in supply chain, business, or related field is preferred.
Experience:
- 5+ years of purchasing experience.
Knowledge:
- Good understanding of inventory and service objectives.
Skills:
- Excellent communications skills with: suppliers, customers, other departments within the company.
- Requires a high degree of accuracy.
- Good organizational skills and the ability to handle multiple tasks.
- Ability to treat suppliers, customers and employees with tack and respect in difficult situations while being persistent.
Job Responsibilities
Strategic Sourcing & Procurement
- Identify, evaluate, and qualify suppliers for cable assembly, wire harness, connectors, and other electrical components.
- Negotiate pricing, terms, and lead times to ensure optimal cost savings and delivery performance.
- Develop long-term supplier relationships to ensure stability and reliability in the supply chain.
Purchase Order Management
- Issue and track purchase orders (POs) to ensure on-time delivery of materials.
- Monitor open orders, expedite as necessary, and resolve any supply chain disruptions.
- Maintain accurate procurement records in ERP/MRP system (such as Epicor).
Data Analysis & ERP Reporting
- Run reports from the ERP system (Epicor, SAP, Oracle, or similar) for spend analysis, supplier performance tracking, and inventory planning.
- Analyze purchasing trends, material usage, and lead times to support forecasting and decision-making.
- Maintain accurate procurement records and provide financial visibility to management.
- Strong proficiency in Excel (VLOOKUPs, Pivot Tables, Macros, Data Analysis, and complex reporting) is required.
Supplier Performance & Compliance
- Ensure suppliers comply with Aerospace & Defense regulations (ITAR, DFARS, FAR), AS9100 quality standards, and customer requirements.
- Work closely with Quality and Engineering teams to evaluate supplier performance and drive improvements where needed.
- Manage non-conformance issues and coordinate supplier corrective actions (SCARs).
Cost Control & Inventory Optimization
- Drive cost reduction initiatives while maintaining quality and performance standards.
- Collaborate with Planning and Finance teams to align purchasing decisions with inventory control and cash flow objectives.
- Ensure proper forecasting and procurement strategies to avoid shortages and excess inventory.
Cross-Functional Collaboration
- Partner with Engineering to analyze BOMs (Bill of Materials) for manufacturability and sourcing feasibility.
- Support Sales and Program Management teams by providing accurate material cost estimates for quoting.
- Work closely with the warehouse and production teams to resolve material shortages and improve overall efficiency.
Other responsibilities, initiatives and ad-hoc projects as required.
Internal and External Relationships
Internal: Collaborate with Finance, Operations, Engineering, and other departments to align procurement strategies with business objectives.
External: Build and maintain strong partnerships with suppliers/vendors to improve pricing, terms, and delivery performance.
Physical Requirements
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to move frequently, sit, walk, and stand within an office and manufacturing environment. The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer) is needed. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.
Pay: $55,000-75,000 annually