Purchasing Manager

ABOUT OUR MISSION:

Join the forefront of innovation and make an impact at Safran Defense & Space, Inc.!

Safran Defense & Space Inc. (Safran DSI), headquartered in Arlington, Va., is a leading U.S. aerospace company dedicated to supporting national defense and space missions. As a trusted partner to the U.S. armed forces, government agencies, and commercial sectors, Safran DSI delivers advanced technology solutions through its specialized business units: Assured PNT, Geospatial AI, Optronics, Space Solutions, and Testing & Telemetry. 

Safran DSI Testing & Telemetry offers state-of-the-art data acquisition systems, recorders, download stations, RF receivers and transmitters, and telemetry tracking antennas, ensuring reliable mission data management. Additionally, our airborne mission data management systems provide comprehensive solutions for collecting and analyzing mission-critical information.

If you’re ready to join our mission and serve those who serve, Safran DSI is the perfect place for you to take your career to the next level. Make a real difference and be part of something extraordinary. Apply now and help us build the future of defense and space. 

POSITION PROFILE:

We are seeking a Purchasing Manager to support our team that is expanding our U.S. capabilities in support of telemetry products and services. This is an opportunity to join an established company that is growing strong.

The Purchasing Manager will be in a key position managing DSI’s multi-pronged approach to supplying its value chains.  DSI has three value lines: distribution to the US of products from our European affiliates; light manufacturing, antenna integration at the subsystems level; and customer service repairs and upgrades of our products.

The successful candidate will have experience with supply chain, purchasing, and logistics. He/she will manage, operate, and optimize the operational purchasing for DSI according to local and group objectives in terms of cost, lead times and the quality of supply. The supplied items are mainly electronic products, electronic components, electronic and RF assemblies, and mechanical and electrical parts and sub-systems.  As DSI onshores more capability, the level of purchasing will expand to more components and materials.  DSI conducts its purchasing in INFOR M3, our ERP/MRP system

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Perform sourcing and supplier selection according to AS9100D Standards
• Build a US-Based Supply Chain for our value chains
• Manage purchase order processing & contract negotiations
• Lead supplier performance management (analysis, preventive, and corrective actions)
• Lead supply chain continuous improvement activities
• Perform forecasting and demand planning

Main Tasks (including but not limited to):

• All purchasing related activities: Supplier selection, negotiation, and performance management, including tasks such as monitoring vendor certifications, maintaining Approved Supplier List, and monitoring vendor performance (On Time Delivery, Quality and Pricing)
• Manage all supply chain activities: forecasting and planning, quality management
• Define and implement purchasing processes that meet the requirements of AS9100D
• Identify strategies and opportunities to reduce cost, improve efficiency and manage risk through strategic and targeted negotiations
• Conduct new supplier evaluations and maintain the Approved Supplier list.
• Monitor the delivery and quality performance of all suppliers and take necessary actions to ensure satisfactory performance
• Determine the correct amount of inventory to maintain on-hand to satisfy both internal and external demand

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES: 

• Lead a small department team including budget responsibility

WHAT YOU’LL NEED TO BE SUCCESSFUL:

• Bachelor’s degree in business management, supply chain management or related field

• Knowledge in purchasing and supply chain management
• 2+ years management of a purchasing team and budget
• Experience with government programs, FAR regulations, subcontract management
• Experience working in an ERP/MRP system environment, experience with INFOR M3 preferred
• Experience working in AS9100 or ISO9001 environment
• Demonstrated competency with cross-functional engagements and collaborations
• Demonstrated success in managing complex supplier specifications, drawings, SOW's

• Positive outlook and desire to do what is best for the customer and the team

• Must be self-motivated with the ability to work in a self-directed environment
• Requires U.S. Citizenship

IDEALLY, YOU’LL ALSO HAVE:

• Experience working in an ITAR environment

TRAVEL:  Requires travel as needed, up to 25%.  Travel to European parent company’s manufacturing and development facilities in Paris, Normandy, Bordeaux, France as well as Cologne, Germany may be required, as well as domestic travel as part of the efforts to build a US supply chain.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the role.

EOE/AA/M/F/Vets – US Protected Individual status required (US citizen, lawful permanent resident, asylee, refugee or temporary resident (as defined at 8 USC 1160(a).