Lead Buyer

Lead Buyer Job Description

About Us:

Safe Flight, a leader in aviation safety and flight performance systems, was founded in 1946. The company pioneered the development of Stall Warning and Angle of Attack, Automatic Throttle Systems, Wind Shear Warning, and many other innovations in aircraft instrumentation, flight performance, and control systems for fixed and rotary winged aircraft. With product installed on over two-thirds of the world’s aircraft, Safe Flight counts among its customers the majority of the world’s aircraft manufacturers, more than 50 airlines, hundreds of operators of corporate jet aircraft and U.S. and International Armed Services.

Safe Flight’s benefits include employer-funded health care, on-site lunch program, 401K contribution, Wellness and Education Reimbursement, paid-time off and sick time, and various other programs.

Job Summary:

We are seeking a qualified and experienced Lead Buyer to join our procurement team. The Lead Buyer will play a crucial role in qualifying vendors, evaluating bids, negotiating prices and terms, and overseeing the procurement process for purchased goods and services. This position requires strong negotiation skills, attention to detail, and the ability to maintain vendor relationships while ensuring quality standards are met.

Duties/Responsibilities:

• Qualify vendors by assessing their capabilities, reliability, and quality of products or services.
• Evaluate bids and proposals submitted by vendors, considering factors such as price, quality, delivery timelines and inventory levels[TS1] .
• Negotiate prices, contracts, and terms with vendors to achieve the best possible value for the organization.
• Submit and track purchase orders and monitor procurement activities to ensure compliance with company policies and procedures.
• Anticipate and manage risks from supply chain disruptions based on market and industry activity.
• Maintain a current and accurate database of vendor information, including contact details, contracts, and performance metrics.
• Monitor vendor performance and quality, addressing any issues or concerns as they arise.
• Provide guidance and support to lower-level buyers, including reviewing and approving their work and offering feedback or assistance as needed.
• Collaborate with internal stakeholders, such as department heads and project managers, to understand their procurement needs and objectives.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Required Skills/Abilities:

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Strong negotiation skills and the ability to build and maintain effective relationships with vendors.
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving abilities, with a keen attention to detail.
• Proficiency in using procurement software and tools for tracking purchases and managing vendor relationships.
• Knowledge of procurement best practices, industry trends, and regulations.
• Effective communication skills, both verbal and written, with the ability to interact professionally with internal and external stakeholders.
• Strong organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.

Education and Experience:

• Bachelor's degree in business administration, supply chain management, or a related field.
• Proven experience in procurement, purchasing, or supply chain management, with a minimum of 3 years in a lead buyer or similar role.

Other duties

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

Equal Opportunities Employer

Safe Flight provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.

This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.