Purchasing Specialist

Position Summary

Obtain the best quality, service, and value for products and services through effective bidding, negotiation, and supplier management. Identify manufacturing needs, select suppliers, negotiate contracts, and arrange delivery. Purchase critical, complex, and/or high-dollar parts, equipment, services, and materials. This role involves working directly with source-controlled suppliers in areas such as valves, generators, heat exchangers, rotors, motors, and/or stators.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage suppliers in a source-controlled setting to ensure cost-effectiveness with optimal delivery and lead times.
• Identify and recommend suppliers by investigating potential suppliers and researching parts, equipment, machinery, services, and materials availability.
• Prepare statements of work for procurement items, develop potential bidders lists, and formal requests for quotation or proposal.
• Conduct supplier site visits and evaluate them on production capability, performance, delivery, and other key business criteria.
• Evaluate proposals from potential suppliers and select suppliers for complex or technical materials, supplies, or services.
• Negotiate final terms and conditions of purchase, award, and administer the procurement contract to conclusion.
• Monitor and evaluate supplier performance, implementing corrective actions to resolve impending supplier failures.
• Negotiate and settle damage claims, rejections, losses, return of materials, over-shipments, cancellations, and engineering changes with suppliers.
• Prepare complex reports and analyses by collecting, analyzing, and summarizing information and trends.
• Apply continuous improvement techniques to internal processes and systems, and develop improvement initiatives with key suppliers.
• Maintain professional and technical knowledge by attending educational workshops and participating in professional associations.
• Comply with federal, state, and aerospace industry regulations and advise management on needed actions.
• Provide leadership within the department, acting as a prime contact on high-level projects and training less experienced employees.

Requirements

Education & Experience

• Bachelor's degree in Business Administration or a related field, with experience providing both theoretical and practical knowledge in the field.
• Demonstrated ability to perform essential functions of the job, typically acquired through six or more years of increasingly responsible related experience.
• Certificate in Purchasing Management (CPM) or APICS desired.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Experience managing source-controlled suppliers in an aerospace environment.
• Thorough knowledge of purchasing and negotiating methods, principles, and concepts.
• Knowledge of industry practices, general business operations, and policies.
• Knowledge of legal and regulatory requirements related to procurement.
• Ability to effectively assess and implement continuous improvement principles and techniques.
• Proficient with standard business application software and specialized purchasing and/or materials systems.
• Ability to work on a variety of problems of diverse scope and complexity.
• Ability to solve a wide range of difficult problems and evaluate alternative solutions.
• Ability to establish goals and objectives to complete projects.
• Ability to effectively communicate and present information to suppliers, team members, and top management.
• Ability to negotiate effectively to obtain best prices and terms on products, materials, and services.

Benefits

• Comprehensive coverage for medical, prescription drugs, dental, vision, voluntary optional life, accident insurance, hospital indemnity insurance, and critical illness insurance.
• 401(k) Plan with company matching contributions at 100% of the first 5% of pay.
• Company-provided defined-contribution retirement plan with an annual contribution equal to 3% of pay.
• Career development and tuition reimbursement.
• Paid parental leave, short and long-term disability programs, adoption assistance, Care.com membership, and financial planning assistance.
• Supplemental benefit programs including identity protection, legal protection, and pet wellness.
• Paid Time Off and up to 15 Company-Paid Holidays.
• Employee discounts on various services.
• Employee Referral program.
• Dress for Your Day policy.
• On-site, 24-hour Fitness Center and cafeteria.

Location

Join our team in Kalamazoo, MI, a vibrant city known for its rich history, cultural attractions, and a strong sense of community. Enjoy a dynamic work environment in a location that offers both urban amenities and natural beauty.