Sr Purchasing Specialist

KDA, Inc, headquartered in Alexandria, Virginia, has been operating in the United States for more than 20 years. We produce world-leading Remote Weapon Systems (RWS) for the US Army, Marine Corps, and allies at our Johnstown, Pennsylvania factory. We have delivered more than 20,000 PROTECTOR RWS to 28 countries. The National Advanced Surface-to-Air System (NASAMS) is a highly mobile and tailorable capability that protects the airspace of 13 countries and Washington, DC. In 2027, we will do final assembly, test, and sustainment of the Naval Strike Missile and Joint Strike Missile systems at a new factory in southern Virginia.

Join us, and you’ll be part of a high performing team that develops advanced technology solutions to protect people and critical infrastructure in countries around the world. Explore your potential and discover what your future could be with Kongsberg Defense & Aerospace, Inc.

Kongsberg Defense & Aerospace, Inc. is seeking a Senior Purchasing Specialist to join our team in Johnstown, PA. In this vital role, you will be responsible for ensuring that complex, high-value, and mission-critical materials are available on time to support our advanced manufacturing operations. You will play a key part in developing and strengthening supply chains, negotiating contracts with suppliers, and aligning procurement activities with the company’s strategic goals. This position offers the opportunity to contribute directly to cutting-edge defense and aerospace programs, where precision, innovation, and reliability are paramount. If you thrive in a fast-paced environment and are motivated by the challenge of securing critical resources for world-class manufacturing, we invite you to bring your expertise to our team.

Responsibilities:

• Perform review of Planned PO requirements with Purchasing Specialists and provide guidance of strategic procurement utilizing Enterprise Resource Planning system to identify, order and expedite Production materials as well as Repair & Overhaul materials.
• Interface with Master Scheduler and Planning to identify material issues and report same to Operations.
• Update ERP system with Order Confirmations and critical delivery dates, including change dates.
• Ensure all required PO documentation is stored in the PDM system (Enovia) as per the Certified Purchasing System requirements.
• Provide supplier guidance to Purchasing Specialist and Purchasing Associate buying indirect materials, including shop supplies, tooling, equipment, office supplies, work clothes, etc.
• Work with Return to Vendor Coordinator to process Material Non-conformances and Rejections, Coordinate return, and facilitate resolution to issues associated with defective or damaged materials.
• Assist with the follow-up of Supplier Corrective Action Requests and Engineering Change Requests and implement Engineering Change Orders.
• Make periodic visits to suppliers' facilities to maintain familiarity with equipment, personnel and capabilities, and assist them when problems arise; and identify and develop productivity and cost improvement strategies for suppliers.
• Perform Supplier Evaluations and implement improvements based on established metrics.
• Identify & implement improvement initiatives related to the Procurement function at Kongsberg Defense & Aerospace.
• Negotiate with the suppliers in accordance with Company and Government regulations.
• Apply Department of Defense (DOD)/US Government, Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR)/Defense Federal Acquisition Regulations (DFAR) regulations to meet contract expectations for consistency, accuracy and compliance in purchase order documentation.

Strategic Procurement Responsibilities:

• Lead new supplier development initiatives.
• Monitor Suppliers, utilizing Improve and in cooperation with appropriate KONGSBERG personnel such as operational purchaser, QA representatives etc.
• Support Marketing & Sales and Government Relations according to need, including participation off hours.
• Support Kongsberg Defense & Aerospace’s Small Business contracting requirements.
• Prepare and issue supplier RFI, RFQ and RFP in collaboration with Kongsberg Defense & Aerospace’s Procurement Department.
• Single Point of Contact for selected suppliers and/or responsibility for certain commodities, have knowledge of suppliers and commodities including market situation.
• Negotiate with the suppliers in accordance with Company and Government regulations.
• Develop supplier/commodity strategies and maintain them based on forecasted need.
• Support the procurement of the Business Units purchasing needs focusing on best purchasing practices. (bundling, volumes etc.).
• Develop and issue forecast to suppliers.
• Review engineering drawings and specifications with new and prospective suppliers.
• Evaluate quotation packages, proposals and suppliers, including risk assessment, capacity analysis and quality controls through various methods, including on-site audits.

Contractual Responsibilities:

• Perform negotiation of commercial terms and price for Kongsberg Defense & Aerospace Procurement.
• Participate in technical terms negotiations with Kongsberg Defense & Aerospace Engineering.
• Ensure that KDA has NDAs and necessary documentation in place with suppliers and that we are following the company onboarding process.

EDUCATIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Bachelor’s degree in business or related field plus five years of experience directly related to purchasing, contracts or supply chain.

NUMBER OF YEARS AND TYPE OF EXPERIENCE REQUIRED:

• Five years of experience directly related to purchasing, contracts or supply chain. Experience with Federal Government contracting preferred.
• Valid driver’s license required

MINIMUM LEARNING TIME FOR THIS POSITION PROVIDED EMPLOYEE HAS NECESSARY EXPERIENCE:

• 6 months.

OTHER POSITION CONSIDERATIONS:

• Up to 30% international and domestic travel required.
• Proficient user of Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Access, Outlook, etc.)

Kongsberg Defense & Aerospace Inc. is part of Kongsberg Gruppen (KONGSBERG), an international knowledge-based group that supplies high technology systems and solutions to its customers engaged in oil and gas production, the merchant marine, and the defense and aerospace industries. Kongsberg Protech Systems USA performs final assembly and testing of Remote Weapon Stations. The company also performs repair and overhaul (R&O) of Remote Weapon Stations that come back from field operations.

In addition to competitive wages, we provide an excellent package of benefits, which presently includes company-paid health, vision and dental insurance, 401(k) with competitive match, a 9/80 work schedule, life insurance and paid time off (PTO).

Kongsberg Defense & Aerospace, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability or veteran status, or any other applicable state or federal protected class. Kongsberg Defense & Aerospace, Inc. provides affirmative action in employment for qualified Individuals with a Disability and Protected Veterans in compliance with Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act and the Vietnam Era Veterans’ Readjustment Assistance Act.

Job Type: Full-time

Benefits:

401(k) matching

Dental insurance

Flexible schedule

Flexible spending account

Health insurance

Health savings account

Life insurance

Paid time off

Referral program

Tuition reimbursement

Vision insurance

Schedule:

Day shift

980 schedule

Monday to Friday

Education:

Bachelor’s degree in business or related field.

Experience:

Five years of experience directly related to purchasing, contracts or supply chain.