About Us
High Ground Defense is a rapidly growing defense manufacturer specializing in advanced weapon systems and precision-engineered components for military, law enforcement, and government customers worldwide. Our team is committed to delivering innovative, reliable products that support those who protect and serve.
As our company continues to grow, we are building a team of motivated professionals who thrive in a fast-paced manufacturing environment. We value integrity, accountability, continuous improvement, and a hands-on approach to solving complex challenges. Every employee plays an important role in supporting our mission and contributing to the success of the organization.
Position Overview
The Procurement & Supply Chain Specialist is responsible for ensuring the timely procurement, receipt, inventory management, and availability of materials required to support manufacturing operations. This position manages supplier relationships, places and tracks purchase orders, maintains accurate inventory records within CounterPart IMS, and coordinates closely with Production, Engineering, and Quality to ensure materials are available to meet production schedules.
The ideal candidate is highly organized, detail-oriented, and proactive, with experience in purchasing, inventory control, and manufacturing operations. This individual will play a critical role in maintaining an efficient supply chain, minimizing production delays, and supporting the continued growth of High Ground Defense through effective material planning, inventory management, and supplier performance.
Essential Duties & Responsibilities
Procurement & Supplier Management
- Source and procure raw materials, machined components, hardware, electronics, tooling, and production supplies.
- Develop and maintain strong relationships with approved vendors and suppliers.
- Solicit quotations, compare pricing, evaluate lead times, and negotiate favorable pricing and delivery schedules.
- Create, issue, and maintain purchase orders in CounterPart IMS.
- Monitor all open purchase orders and proactively follow up with vendors to ensure on-time deliveries.
- Expedite critical orders when production schedules require.
- Identify alternate suppliers for critical components to reduce supply chain risk.
- Monitor vendor performance including quality, delivery, responsiveness, and cost.
- Resolve shortages, damaged shipments, pricing discrepancies, and supplier issues.
Inventory Management
- Maintain accurate inventory records within CounterPart IMS.
- Ensure all inventory transactions are entered accurately and promptly.
- Establish and maintain minimum and maximum inventory levels.
- Monitor inventory usage trends and forecast future material requirements.
- Plan inventory purchases to support production while minimizing excess inventory.
- Perform cycle counts and assist with physical inventory counts.
- Investigate and reconcile inventory discrepancies.
- Maintain proper inventory organization and storage locations.
- Recommend inventory improvements that reduce waste and improve efficiency.
Receiving & Material Control
- Receive incoming shipments and verify quantity and condition against purchase orders and packing slips.
- Inspect incoming materials for obvious damage and completeness.
- Record receipts into CounterPart IMS.
- Label and organize inventory into designated storage locations.
- Maintain complete receiving documentation.
- Coordinate with Quality when incoming inspection is required.
- Ensure material certifications and documentation are collected and properly filed when required.
Production Support
- Coordinate with Production and Engineering to understand upcoming material requirements.
- Review production schedules and ensure material availability.
- Notify management of potential shortages before they impact production.
- Assist in planning long-lead purchases.
- Support Engineering with prototype and development purchasing.
- Maintain communication between vendors and internal departments regarding delivery schedules.
Continuous Improvement
- Identify opportunities for cost savings through vendor negotiations and purchasing strategies.
- Recommend process improvements for procurement, receiving, inventory control, and warehouse organization.
- Develop standardized purchasing procedures and inventory best practices.
- Assist in implementing process improvements within CounterPart IMS.
- Support ISO 9001 quality management requirements by maintaining accurate purchasing and inventory records.
Qualifications
- Associate's degree in Business, Supply Chain, Operations, or related field preferred.
- Three or more years of purchasing, procurement, inventory control, or manufacturing experience.
- Experience using ERP or Inventory Management Systems; CounterPart IMS experience preferred.
- Strong understanding of inventory management principles.
- Excellent organizational and planning skills.
- Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities.
- Ability to manage multiple priorities with minimal supervision.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Excel, Outlook, and Microsoft Office.
Preferred Experience
- Manufacturing environment.
- Defense or aerospace manufacturing.
- Mechanical components and hardware purchasing.
- Machine shop or CNC manufacturing.
- Vendor management and supplier development.
- Reading engineering drawings and bills of material (BOMs).
- ISO 9001 quality systems.
- Material Requirements Planning (MRP).
- Inventory forecasting and demand planning.
Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)
- Inventory accuracy of 98% or greater.
- Purchase order accuracy.
- On-time material availability to production.
- Vendor on-time delivery performance.
- Inventory turns.
- Reduction of stock-outs and production delays.
- Purchase cost savings.
- Receiving accuracy.
- Cycle count completion rate.
- Inventory value management.
- Vendor response time.
- Purchase order cycle time.
Physical Requirements
- Ability to lift up to 40 pounds.
- Ability to stand, walk, bend, and reach throughout the workday.
- Ability to operate computers, barcode scanners, and standard office equipment.
- Ability to work in both office and warehouse/manufacturing environments.
Pay: $70,000.00 - $90,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- Dental insurance
- Health insurance
- Vision insurance
Work Location: In person
