Senior Buyer

Location CA, Burbank

Department Supply Chain

Employment Type Full Time

Crane Aerospace & Electronics has a unique and exciting career opportunity for a Senior Buyer at our Burbank, CA location.

Job Summary:

The Senior Buyer is a subject matter expert in materials planning and is responsible for managing all aspects of purchasing components from suppliers in order to assure timely delivery of parts to support production needs. In addition, the Buyer is the communication and logistical link between Value Streams, Supervisors, Marketing, Master Scheduling, and Purchasing.

Essential Functions:

• Perform material requirements planning through high interaction/coordination with manufacturing personnel and external suppliers to support the Value Stream

• Communicate priorities and schedule changes to Outside Processing Suppliers on a daily basis to support changes in production requirements

• Establish and maintain positive working relationships with suppliers; Communicate common supplier problems with Leadership, Procurement Specialists and other Buyers

• Act as a lead in the Value Stream and as a liaison between the Value Stream and the Buyer Supervisor

• Partner with the Value Stream to drive supply chain goals through the value stream roadmap

• Share best practices across the group and willingly take on additional work

• Own and drive an inventory action plan to maintain proper inventory levels and achieve turns goals of key production components

• Train and facilitate the upgrade to a pull-based replenishment system (Kanban) to improve inventory turns and eliminate part shortages.

• Monitor supplier orders to assure they are shipped on a timely basis to support the Value Stream

• Improve supplier fill rates, quality, and lead times to fit product mix and needs.

• Use Kaizen to continuously improve lead-times, smooth material flow and improve organizational efficiency.

• Obtain quotes from suppliers for production material and Outside Processing operations.

• Negotiate blanket purchase orders and pursues cost reduction initiatives that eliminate adverse Purchase Price Index (PPI)

• Interact with sourcing teams to ensure best practices and greatest leverage in procurement, low-cost region sourcing, supplier assessment & management.

• Publish daily shortage report to communicate current delivery information from suppliers.

• Resolve invoice discrepancies on a timely basis.

• Manage supplier quality through the Non-Conforming Report (NCR) Process; Minimize production impact by ensuring discrepant materials are addressed with Manufacturing Engineering, Procurement Quality, Supervisors and Suppliers

• Work closely with suppliers and Procurement Quality Engineers to resolve Corrective Action Requests (CARs) generated from NCRs.

• Obtain Return Merchandise Authorization (RMA), and processes return transactions in Oracle (ERP System); Follow Debit Memo process for supplier rework of discrepant materials.

• Any other task assigned by supervisor or management.

Minimum Qualifications:

Experience :

• 5 + years of experience buying in a similar industry or demonstrated equivalent knowledge of supply chain function through work experience or school.

Knowledge :

• In-depth knowledge of the manufacturing process used in the operating unit of assignment.

• Working knowledge of buying and ordering procedures.

• Working knowledge of production planning, material requirements planning and Kanban systems.

• Working knowledge of computer systems that support production, e.g., inventory control, purchasing, production scheduling and Materials Requirement Planning (MRP)

• Understanding of aerospace electronics specifications and comparisons

• Broad knowledge of electronics industry practices and innovations related to delivery performance and cost and lead time reduction.

Skills/Abilities :

• Requires well-developed skill in communicating with others.

• Proficiency in Excel and Word and ability to work with Access databases.

• Ability to coordinate materials and production schedules with multiple teams, solve urgent problems associated with the manufacture of products and document and communicate production outcomes and trends.

• Ability to perform math and logic computations requiring sequencing of times, critical incidents, and numeric information.

• Ability to negotiate changes with vendors and manufacturing teams.

Education / Certification:

• BA or BS degree in Supply Chain, Business, or Materials-related field or 8+ years of working experience

Eligibility Requirement:

• This position requires access to controlled data or information and therefore only US persons will be considered. As a US Department of Defense contractor, we are bound by the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR).

Preferred Qualifications:

• Previous Aerospace Work experience is highly preferred.

• Experience working in a regulated manufacturing environment.

Working Conditions:

• Working conditions are normal for a manufacturing environment.

• Manufacturing operations may require the use of safety equipment to include but not limited to: eye safety glasses, gowning, masks, hearing protectors, heel/wrist straps and any other required PPE.

• May be exposed to unusual environmental conditions such as loud noises, cold temperatures, confined spaces, dust or fumes.

• Requires occasional travel to support customers.

Salary range: $94,600 to $118,300. Several factors contribute to actual salary, including experience in a similar role or performing comparable job responsibilities, skills, training, and other qualifications. Compensation packages also include comprehensive benefits, 401K contribution and match, Paid Time Off, paid holidays, tuition reimbursement and more. Some roles may be eligible for participation in performance-based bonus programs. You can see a list of our benefits at or visit our website at for more information on our company and great opportunities

In our efforts to maintain a safe and drug-free workplace, Crane Aerospace & Electronics requires that candidates complete a satisfactory background check. FAA sensitive positions require employees to participate in a random drug test pool.

This description has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work being performed by employees within this classification. It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, and qualifications required of employees assigned to this job.

Crane Co. is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, sex, national origin, marital status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, pregnancy, medical condition, genetic information, protected veteran status or any other characteristic protected under federal, state, or applicable local law.