Buyer II

Position Summary

Buyer II is responsible for procurement activities in support of production, maintenance, and engineering programs. This role manages sourcing, negotiations, and procurement of complex parts, materials, equipment, and services, all while ensuring compliance with aerospace, regulatory, and contractual requirements. Buyer II is expected to manage supplier relationships, resolve supply issues, and manage costs. Buyer II is responsible for supplier quality, supplier delivery, and overall supplier performance.

Key Responsibilities

Procurement & Sourcing

• Execute procurement of aerospace raw materials, machined components, tooling, and services, in support of production and engineering requirements.
• Generate and manage RFIs/RFQs, evaluate supplier quotations, and perform price, delivery, and capability analysis.
• Negotiate pricing, terms, long-term agreements, and cost-reduction opportunities with suppliers.
• Ensure compliance with FAR/DFARS, ITAR, and AS9100 procurement standards.

Supplier Management

• Monitor and evaluate supplier performance relating to cost, quality, and delivery.
• Work with suppliers to mitigate risk related to long lead items, supply chain disruptions, and quality nonconformances.
• Support supplier development activities with Quality and Engineering teams.
• Issue corrective action requests (SCARs) when needed and follow up on closure.

Material Planning & Scheduling

• Manage purchase orders from creation through closure, including acknowledgment, expediting, schedule updates, and invoice reconciliation.
• Work with Production Control, Planning, Sales, and Engineering to ensure materials meet schedule needs.
• Analyze demand forecasts and maintain appropriate inventory levels for assigned commodities.
• Support new product introduction (NPI) by sourcing new components and coordinating supplier onboarding.

Compliance, Documentation & Systems

• Maintain accurate purchasing records in ERP/MRP systems (SAP, Oracle, NetSuite, Epicor, etc.).
• Ensure procurement packages include correct drawings, specifications, revisions, and documentation.
• Support internal and external audits by providing traceability, documentation, and compliance evidence.
• Participate in continuous improvement projects to enhance supply chain processes and efficiency.

Kirkhill, Inc. Competencies

• Customer Focus - knows and understands the needs of internal and external customers; is results oriented and works hard to consistently provide exceptional service.
• Ethics and Values - adheres to an effective set of core values and beliefs.
• Problem Solving - looks beyond the obvious to find effective solutions.
• Integrity and Trust - widely trusted and seen as direct and truthful.
• Functional/Technical Skills - possesses the skills to be effective in the job; has the skills to perform the job at a high level of accomplishment.
• Listening - practices active and attentive listening, able to hear others.
• Action-oriented - full of energy with a bias toward action.
• Composure - cool under pressure; not knocked off balance by the unexpected; is a settling influence.
• Team Oriented - professional and respectful at all times with a service mentality.

Qualifications

Education & Experience

• 4-year degree in Supply Chain, Business, Engineering, or a related field preferred.
• 3-5 years of procurement or supply chain experience, preferably in aerospace or high-precision manufacturing.
• Experience working with aerospace standards and regulated supply chains is strongly desired.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Strong understanding of aerospace materials.
• Proficiency in ERP/MRP systems; Infor Syteline (CSI) experience is a bonus.
• Solid negotiation, contract interpretation, and supplier management skills.
• Knowledge of FAR/DFARS, ITAR, export compliance, and quality systems (AS9100).
• Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings and specifications.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and communication skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.