Senior Buyer

Position Description

This Senior Buyer role supports Spares purchasing for Radford Facilities.

Key Responsibilities

• Supplier Sourcing & Onboarding: Identify, qualify, and onboard global suppliers while achieving sector offset targets and key business objectives.
• Supplier Relationship Management: Build and strengthen strategic supplier relationships to support ongoing business needs and manage total supplier performance throughout the lifecycle of procured materials and services.
• Engineering & Quality Collaboration: Leverage technical capability to communicate effectively with design and component engineering on quality improvements, cost reductions, and design change opportunities.
• Strategic Initiatives & Contracting:
• Lead and execute long-term strategic projects and supplier agreements.
• Collaborate closely with commodity managers, tactical buyers, and integrated supply chain teams.
• Sourcing & RFQ Execution:
• Drive strategic initiatives, manage and fully execute the RFQ process, analyze supplier bids/forecasted data, and make informed sourcing decisions.
• Develop approved-for-quote suppliers in coordination with program and category teams.
• Market Analysis & Risk Mitigation: Monitor global market trends and intervene to manage supply shortfalls, mitigate price adjustments, or capitalize on market opportunities.
• Technology & Innovation: Identify and collaborate with internal stakeholders and suppliers to introduce innovative technologies and processes that improve margins and service delivery.
• Cost Analysis & Compliance: Perform cost/price analyses to determine bid reasonableness, build negotiation strategies, and ensure all compliance documentation requirements are fully met.
• Process Improvement & Order Management: Apply continuous improvement techniques to internal processes to increase efficiency, reduce costs, and ensure prompt close-out of completed orders.
• Safety & Self-Development: Maintain a safe working environment adhering to safety policies and actively participate in self-development with leadership.

Skills & Qualifications

Skills Required

• Working knowledge of developing RFQ/RFPs, contracts, financial analysis, negotiations, and Purchase Order (PO) documentation.
• Working knowledge of engineering requirements, terms, and technical blueprints.
• Proficiency in managing data, analytics, and reporting within ERP systems.

Skills Preferred

(None specified)

Experience

Experience Required

• Experience purchasing multiple commodities.
• Experience reading and interpreting schematics and component drawings.
• Experience working effectively with cross-functional teams.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite (especially Excel).

Experience Preferred

• Experience in the Defense Industry.
• Familiarity with ITAR restrictions and FAR/DFAR regulations.
• Experience with Advanced Product Quality Planning (APQP).
• Experience conducting supplier audits.

Education

• Required: Bachelor’s Degree plus 4 years of relevant work experience (or equivalent experience).

EOE Employer