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Senior Buyer

Department: Supply Chain
Classification/Status: Exempt/Full-Time

About Nikon AM Synergy Inc.

Nikon AM Synergy Inc. is a leading provider of advanced manufacturing solutions specializing in metal additive manufacturing (AM), CNC machining, and precision secondary processes for the defense, aerospace, aviation, energy, and industrial sectors.

Operating from the Nikon AM Technology Center, a 90,000-square-foot, state-of-the-art, ultra-secure facility in Long Beach, California, Nikon AM Synergy provides end-to-end engineering and manufacturing services, including material and equipment qualification, Design for Additive Manufacturing (DfAM), part design, prototyping, production, CNC machining, finishing, inspection, and certification.

As the engineering and manufacturing services arm of Nikon Advanced Manufacturing, working in collaboration with Nikon SLM Solutions, we deliver integrated solutions that help customers qualify, manufacture, and scale mission-critical components for commercial and government applications across the United States.

Position Overview

Nikon AM Synergy is seeking an experienced Senior Buyer to join our Supply Chain team. The Senior Buyer will be responsible for planning, sourcing, negotiating, and procuring materials, services, equipment, and supplies required to support production and business operations in a highly regulated aerospace and defense manufacturing environment.

This position will serve as a primary point of contact for external suppliers and will manage purchase orders for outsourced processing and special processes, including heat treatment, non-destructive testing (NDT), mechanical testing, coatings, machining, and other services required to complete metal additive manufacturing components.

The Senior Buyer will also procure production materials, including metal powders and assembly materials, as well as capital equipment, factory consumables, maintenance items, and general operating supplies.

Success in this role requires strong supplier-management skills, sound business judgment, exceptional organization, attention to detail, and the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

• Create, issue, update, and track supplier purchase orders for goods and services.
• Manage purchasing activities for outsourced processing and special processes, including heat treatment, NDT, mechanical testing, coatings, machining, and related services.
• Communicate with suppliers daily to confirm order requirements, schedules, priorities, and on-time delivery status.
• Maintain accurate purchasing and supplier information in internal systems and provide timely status updates to management.
• Obtain and evaluate supplier quotations and negotiate competitive pricing, terms, lead times, and delivery schedules.
• Develop and maintain strong supplier relationships while ensuring supplier performance, quality, cost, and delivery objectives are met.
• Coordinate with Quality, Engineering, Manufacturing, Program Management, Finance, and other cross-functional teams regarding supplier requirements and priorities.
• Assist with receiving inspection activities to verify externally provided products and services meet specified requirements.
• Maintain accurate supplier documentation, including certifications, test reports, quality records, and other documentation necessary for product traceability and regulatory compliance.
• Manage and maintain the Approved Supplier List (ASL).
• Support supplier qualification, onboarding, and ongoing supplier performance monitoring.
• Track supplier performance metrics, including Supplier Quality, On-Time Delivery (OTD), cost, and other applicable KPIs.
• Participate in supplier corrective action activities, including Supplier Corrective Action Requests (SCARs), and support resolution of supplier-related nonconformances.
• Participate in supplier audits, on-site supplier visits, and supplier performance reviews.
• Support AS9100 and NADCAP audits related to purchasing and supplier-management activities.
• Maintain and enforce supplier purchase order terms and conditions in accordance with company requirements.
• Coordinate procurement of general supplies, equipment, off-the-shelf products, maintenance items, and factory consumables.
• Coordinate shipment and transportation of parts and materials through carriers such as FedEx and UPS when required.
• Dispatch internal drivers for pickup and delivery activities as needed.
• Assist the Finance team with invoice approval, purchase-order reconciliation, and related accounting activities.
• Lead or participate in continuous-improvement initiatives designed to improve purchasing efficiency, throughput, cost, supplier performance, and operational effectiveness.
• Maintain procurement records in accordance with company policies and applicable quality and regulatory requirements.
• Perform other duties and responsibilities as assigned by management based on company needs.

Required Qualifications

• 5+ years of purchasing, procurement, sourcing, or supply-chain experience, preferably in aerospace, defense, advanced manufacturing, or a highly regulated manufacturing environment.
• Demonstrated experience managing suppliers, purchase orders, quotations, pricing, lead times, and delivery schedules.
• Strong understanding of purchasing and supplier-management processes.
• Experience working with external processing and/or special-process suppliers is strongly preferred.
• Strong organizational skills and exceptional attention to detail.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to effectively negotiate pricing, terms, lead times, and supplier commitments.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office, particularly Excel and Outlook.
• Experience with ERP/MRP or purchasing-management systems.
• Ability to work effectively with cross-functional teams.
• Ability to interpret purchase orders, specifications, supplier documentation, and quality requirements.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in aerospace, defense, space, energy, or advanced manufacturing.
• Experience purchasing services associated with metal additive manufacturing.
• Knowledge of AS9100 quality-management requirements.
• Knowledge of NADCAP special-process requirements.
• Experience with Approved Supplier List (ASL) management and supplier qualification.
• Experience supporting supplier audits and SCAR activities.
• Experience with ITAR-controlled programs or other regulated manufacturing environments.
• Experience purchasing metal powders, machining services, coatings, heat treatment, NDT, or other aerospace special processes.
• APICS/ASCM, CPSM, or related procurement/supply-chain certification.

Key Competencies

Supplier Management: Builds productive supplier relationships while holding suppliers accountable for quality, cost, and delivery.

Negotiation: Effectively negotiates pricing, lead times, terms, and service requirements.

Quality & Compliance: Understands the importance of supplier quality, traceability, documentation, and regulatory compliance.

Communication: Communicates clearly and professionally with suppliers, management, and internal stakeholders.

Organization: Maintains accurate purchasing records and effectively manages multiple priorities.

Problem Solving: Identifies supplier issues, coordinates corrective actions, and drives timely resolution.

Continuous Improvement: Identifies opportunities to improve purchasing processes, supplier performance, cost, and operational efficiency.

Benefits

Nikon AM Synergy Inc. offers a comprehensive benefits package including Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, AD&D, FSA, HSA, Pet Insurance, Accident Insurance, and Hospital Confinement coverage, where applicable.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Nikon AM Synergy Inc. is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, disability, protected veteran status, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.