Position Purpose: The Buyer creates, reviews, and maintains valid material plans, manages the supply base, and ensures uninterrupted material flow to meet production and customer demand, with a focus on aerospace electronics components. This position works under moderate supervision, providing support to cross-functional teams, including manufacturing, engineering, and supply chain, while participating in continuous improvement initiatives. Essential Functions: Plans, schedules, releases, and manages purchase, interplant, and work orders as required, ensuring maximum cost/quantity/delivery optimization. Directs supplier actions to mitigate anticipated delays using ERP/MRP data and participates in capacity and SIOP review meetings. Maintains and analyzes planning parameters (lead times, lot sizes, order quantities, safety stock) and implements replenishment targets to support “pull” systems. Sources electronic and peripheral components within designated commodities to support manufacturing, with a focus on aerospace applications. Develops and executes strategies for negotiation of purchase order terms, including price, delivery, and expedites. Performs supplier evaluation, selection, and management to ensure on-time ordering and delivery of components. Participates in ongoing projects, continuous improvement/Lean initiatives, and supports engineering changes, new product development, and bid processes. Ensures target inventory levels are maintained and identifies opportunities for cost reduction. Develops and maintains communication channels with internal departments and external suppliers to ensure system integrity and production continuity. Provides analytics, presentations, and reporting on procurement activities. Supports ERP system updates, testing, and data integrity, including purchase parameters and revisions. Executes and manages Non-Disclosure Agreements (NDAs) as required. Knowledge, Skills & Abilities: Solid understanding of aerospace manufacturing processes and procurement requirements. Proficient in ERP systems for material planning and purchasing (e.g., SAP, WISE, Cincom, Fuze, or equivalent), including MRPII/MRP functions. Strong knowledge of sourcing, supplier management, negotiation strategies, and supply chain principles. Competent in Microsoft Office Suite, including advanced Excel functions for analytics and reporting. Effective verbal and written communication, technical reporting, and cross-functional collaboration skills. Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving abilities with attention to detail. Education & Certification: Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Operations Management, Supply Chain, or related field. Experience: Minimum of 3 years progressive purchasing experience within the electronics board assembly industry, preferably in aerospace. Hands-on experience with ERP systems in a manufacturing environment and exposure to aerospace supply chain processes. What does it mean to be part of Woodward? It means contributing to what matters most in your career, in your community and around the world. It means being a part of rewarding experiences, where innovation, collaboration and problem-solving are at the heart of what we do. Explore our open positions and apply today. Woodward is the global leader in the design, manufacturing, and service of energy conversion and control solutions for the aerospace and industrial equipment markets. Together with our customers, we are enabling the path to a cleaner, decarbonized world. Our innovative fluid, combustion, electrical, propulsion and motion control systems perform in some of the world’s harshest environments. At Woodward we have created a culture that appreciates and values the contributions of every member. We are a global team of curious, innovative problem-solvers who commit our knowledge, resources and technical expertise to the challenges associated with reducing emissions, enabling alternative energy sources and increasing efficiency, always innovating for a better future. Woodward is working with our customers to solve some of the world’s biggest energy challenges. This important work needs more than just the brightest technical minds. It requires talented and committed manufacturing professionals, accountants, supply chain managers, human resources experts, information technology specialists and many more. We are looking for dedicated people who want to learn and grow in a supportive environment that fosters collaboration, innovation and inclusion.
