Since 2018, Elevate Aircraft Seating has been enhancing the passenger experience through innovative aircraft seat design and manufacturing. With locations in California, Washington, and Germany we are guided by creativity, collaboration, and a shared commitment to quality.
We are looking for a skilled Purchasing Manager to join our team in Santa Maria, CA. This is an on-site position based in Santa Maria, CA. We value teamwork, inclusivity, and continuous professional development, and we offer competitive benefits along with opportunities for growth.
JOB SUMMARY
The Purchasing Manager is responsible for leading and managing a team of Procurement Agents and Specialists in overall procurement operations, as well as develop and maintain good relationships with vendors to support company objectives, customer satisfaction, profitability, regulatory compliance, and continuous improvement. Work within Supplier lead-times to assure Procurement supports company production schedules. Promote Supplier purchase orders at lowest program cost basis with cash flow terms minimizing inventory build-up, by bringing in material not more than 3-4 weeks ahead of Production build need.
SUMMARY OF JOB DUTIES - Essential Functions (Other duties and projects may be assigned or requested.)
Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions
- Lead and manage the procurement operations, implements procurement strategies, drives procurement optimization and efficiency.
- Time Supplier deliveries to maintain desired inventory levels, targeted inventory turns and optimize company cash flow terms.
- Work with Strategic sourcing to manage identification of potential suppliers and existing key suppliers and evaluates suppliers to ensure optimal supplier network.
- When required, lead the commercial negotiation and re-negotiation of a range of contracts in line with good practice and corporate directives.
- Develop sourcing strategies that eliminate or mitigate key risks in the Supply Chain.
- Evaluate and monitor supplier performance and risk by assessing suppliers’ ability to meet quality and delivery requirements. Accomplish objective through various methods including on-site visits, driving performance measurements, supplier audits, readiness assessments.
- Coach team to use independent judgment to establish, build, and maintain relationships with all key suppliers.
- Arrange supplier meetings with appropriate personnel to review and resolve any problems such as On-Time Delivery/Quality/Pricing) or other issues as needed.
- Lead collaboration with other departments, such as Supplier Quality, Planning, Engineering, Quality Assurance and Production to identify and qualify new suppliers.
- Working with Strategic Sourcing may be asked to negotiate pricing, contracts, and payment terms with suppliers, focusing on long-term buying agreements, to reduce total material cost and maximize savings.
- Drive positive performance trends for both external suppliers and internal processes through continuous improvement (metrics, root cause analysis).
- Work with multiple departments within Company to solve problems; Engineering (ensuring drawing release is on time and accurate), Planning (that requirements meet the program needs based on Minimum Order Quantities, lead times), Receiving (assuring accuracy of paperwork and products received), Quality (any non-conformance issues that need to be resolved).
- Recommend any system improvements that would improve day-to-day work functionality.
- Make daily purchases within allotted programs based on requisitions and analyze the quality, specifications, and delivery requirements.
- May be called upon to use independent judgment to send out quotations for bid on non-contracted items and negotiate best price thereafter selecting supplier to award purchase order.
- Review purchase orders on a weekly basis via reporting system and follow-up on past due items plus requirements due in coming weeks.
- Troubleshoot problem areas and report to Plant Management.
- Interact with Planning and Production to ensure any changes in production requirements are flowed down to suppliers.
- Liaise with planners to control scheduling of parts to ensure stock levels meet demands while staying within stock level buffers.
- Review Non-Conformance Reports (NCRs)/Withhold tags written against suppliers and relays such
- information to them with corrective action. Works with Supplier Quality Engineer (SQE) / Supplier Development Engineer (SDE) and Quality Engineer (QE) to achieve timely completion of Supplier root cause and corrective action determination.
- Update suppliers with engineering changes and drawings.
- Coordinate with Supplier Quality and Quality Assurance to ensure that all suppliers are in good standing on the approved supplier list.
- Track material procurement status of all projects for progress, schedule, and performance; prepares and communicates information to all necessary personnel on pertinent issues and concerns regarding suppliers, raw materials, and finished goods.
- Implement and maintain Key Performance Indicators (KPI).
- Maintain a safe, secure and legal work environment, adhering to all Company policies and procedures.
- Protect the confidentiality of the Company’s information and products.
- Contribute to team efforts by performing other job-related duties and projects as assigned or requested.
- Perform other duties and projects as assigned or requested.
GENERAL QUALIFICATIONS – Education, Knowledge, and Experience
Education:
Experience:
- 8+ years of direct experience.
- Experience with AS9100.
Skills:
- Proficient in MRP systems.
- Proficient in MS Office, ERP systems, math and statistics.
Preferred Skills/Experience:
- Strong organizational and problem-solving skills, with the ability to prioritize effectively and efficiently.
- Excellent verbal and written communication abilities.
- Team oriented, strong ability to multi-task and work in a fast-paced environment and to multiple deadlines.
Other:
- Extended or irregular hours may be required.
- Must be authorized to work in the United States.
- Elevate Aircraft Seating is an “at-will” employer; employment is at the mutual consent of both the employee and the employer, and may be terminated at will for any reason, with or without cause, at any time during employment with the Company.
- As business conditions warrant a change in the operating necessities of the Company, all employees are expected to react productively, handle other essential tasks assigned now or in the future.
- Tasks may vary slightly based on products produced at a division.
- Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
SUPERVISION PROVIDED TO THE POSITION
PROBLEM SOLVING
- Develop and provide solutions to complex problems based on established precedents and are consistent with organization objectives.
LANGUAGE SKILLS
- Ability to communicate effectively in English, both verbally and in writing.
COMPENSATION & BENEFITS
Elevate Aircraft Seating offers competitive wages and benefits to recognize employees for their work. The base pay offered will vary depending on job-related knowledge, skills, location, experience and take into account internal equity.
Salary Rate Transparency: $113,500 - $152,000 annually
Featured Benefits:
- Up to 10% bonus potential (for bonus eligible positions)
- Generous 401(K) matching with immediate eligibility and vesting
- 3 weeks of Paid Time Off
- 12 paid holidays
- Affordable health care plans for yourself and your family
- And so much more!
Other Perks:
- Potential for growth within organization
- Supportive workplace environment with a team-oriented
