Sr. Strategic Buyer, Sourcing

Job Summary

The Senior Strategic Sourcing Buyer manages end-to-end sourcing strategies and negotiates complex Long-Term Agreements (LTAs). This role leads procurement initiatives for raw materials, services, and capital equipment in support of aerospace and defense manufacturing operations.  The position plays a critical role in shaping Statements of Work (SOWs), supporting cross functional teams and ensuring supplier compliance with FAR/DFARS/ITAR regulations. This role focuses on high value, critical aerospace components, driving cost-out initiatives, process improvements and managing supplier performance.

Job Responsibilities

Strategic Sourcing & Category Ownership

• Develop, execute sourcing strategies and negotiate multiyear long-term agreements for raw materials, indirect materials, services, tooling, and capital equipment.
• Analyze market trends, lead negotiations, supplier agreements and SOWs, focusing on cost, quality, delivery, favorable terms and robust service levels
• Evaluate supply‑base capabilities, capacity risks, and cost‑reduction opportunities to guide long‑term decisions.

SOW Development & Contract Leadership

• Collaborate with engineering, operations, quality, and program management teams to define clear, complete Statements of Work aligned with technical, quality, and delivery requirements.
• Manage contract lifecycles, renewals, and performance against key commercial and operational metrics.

Supplier Relationship Management

• Select qualified suppliers, conduct supplier evaluations, manage supplier performance, build and maintain supplier relationships
• Serve as the primary point of contact for strategic suppliers, facilitating performance reviews, recovery plans, and capability improvements.
• Drive supplier accountability in cost, quality, delivery, and risk mitigation.

Lean Process Improvement & Operational Excellence

• Ability to apply Lean principles (like value stream mapping, 5S, A3, Kaizen, PDCA, root cause analysis) to eliminate waste and make subcontracting processes efficient
• Utilize data driven tools to analyze procurement value streams and implement improvements that enhance workflow, reduce rework and improve supplier performance

Compliance & Governance

• Ensure adherence to government regulations (FAR/DFARS/ITAR) and AS9100, and defense contracting requirements.
• Monitor supply‑chain disruptions and geopolitical factors affecting category performance.

Job Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in supply chain, Business, Engineering, or a related field.
• 7+ years of strategic sourcing, procurement or commodity management experience within aerospace, defense, or other highly regulated manufacturing environments.
• Expertise in supplier negotiations, cost‑modeling, SOW creation, and contract management.
• Strong analytical skills, ability to solve complex problems, and capability to work in a collaborative environment
• In-depth understanding of indirect procurement categories and capital equipment sourcing.
• Proficiency in ERP/MRP systems, MS Office (especially Excel) fluency in data‑driven decision‑making skills 
• Working knowledge of ITAR, AS9100, and defense‑industry procurement practices.

Preferred Qualifications

• Prior experience within GKN or similar aerospace manufacturing environments.
• APICS, CPSM/CPM, or similar supply chain certification.
• LEAN, Six Sigma, or continuous‑improvement background.
• Experience leading cross‑functional sourcing efforts or acting as a category lead.
• Exceptional presentation and stakeholder engagement skills.

Compensation Data

Salary Range: $99,738 – $149,606