Purchasing Manager

BASE SALARY $125k-$150k

LOCATION Chatsworth, CA

REPORTS TO Director of Supply Chain

Management  ·  Exempt  ·  Full-Time  ·  Chatsworth, CA

EMS / PCBA  ·  Aerospace & Defense  ·  Space  ·  Epicor Kinetic ERP  ·  ITAR / EAR  ·  AS9100  ·  PPV  ·  Supplier Management  ·  Team Leadership

POSITION OVERVIEW

We are seeking a Purchasing Manager to be accountable for the full procurement function: ensuring electronic components and materials are sourced, purchased, and delivered on time and on cost to support PCBA production across Avalir’s aerospace/defense, space, and medical programs. This role partners closely with Engineering, Planning, Quality, Receiving, Program Management, and executive leadership, and serves as the escalation point for supplier performance, material shortages, and customer commitments. The Purchasing Manager reports to the Director of Supply Chain and regularly contributes purchasing performance data, including purchase price variance for executive-level review.

ITAR Notice

This position supports programs subject to ITAR and EAR export control regulations. Candidates must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Operational Ownership

• Ensure the buying team accurately sources and purchases components per customer Bills of Materials (BOMs), build schedules, and committed ship dates
• Oversee accurate creation, issuance, and management of purchase orders in Avalir’s Epicor Kinetic ERP system, including review and approval of POs for proper authorization and policy compliance
• Oversee material demand review across the team to ensure timely, accurate order placement aligned with production needs
• Oversee management of the open PO backlog, order acknowledgements, and expediting/de-expediting activity
• Ensure proactive identification and resolution of component shortages, including expedites, alternates, and substitutions
• Drive cost-reduction initiatives, alternate sourcing, and last-time/end-of-life (EOL) buy strategies across the team
• Identify, source, and qualify new suppliers and vendors; manage the supplier selection process based on price, quality, capacity, and reliability
• Maintain Avalir’s Approved Vendor List (AVL); monitor supplier performance for quality, delivery, and responsiveness
• Negotiate and administer purchasing agreements and contracts in support of organizational and program requirements; evaluate contracts for compliance with legal requirements and organizational policy and monitor ongoing supplier compliance
• Manage supplier corrective action requests and drive resolution of quality, cost, and delivery issues
• Manage risk relating to quality, cost, delivery, and supply continuity of purchased materials
• Ensure team compliance with aerospace/defense supply chain requirements, including ITAR/EAR and counterfeit-mitigation processes, and oversee supplier compliance with internal quality standards and applicable external regulations
• Partner with Receiving, Stockroom, Quality, Engineering, Document Control, and Program Management leadership to keep material flow on schedule
• Ensure timely, professional communication with external customers regarding material status and delivery commitments; participate in key customer and internal program reviews

Strategic Leadership

• Directly manage, coach, and develop a team of Senior Buyers, Buyers, and the MRO Buyer, including remote team members located on the East Coast
• Set individual and team goals, conduct performance reviews, and manage staff development plans; performance-manage, mentor, and motivate purchasing staff, fostering accountability and ownership of assigned accounts
• Assign and balance customer account and commodity coverage across the buying team; ensure adequate backup coverage
• Recruit, interview, and onboard purchasing staff as the team grows
• Establish, implement, and monitor compliance with purchasing policies, procedures, and best practices
• Direct procurement policy to ensure all items are purchased and delivered within budget and time constraints; develop and manage purchasing budgets and forecasts
• Monitor and reduce purchase price variance (PPV) to meet profit objectives; prepare and present PPV and purchasing performance metrics to executive leadership on a quarterly basis
• Produce regular reports on purchase commitments, costs, and delivery performance
• Develop and maintain strategic relationships with key suppliers, distributors, and franchised vendors
• Drive continuous improvement of purchasing processes, including LEAN principles, in line with changing organizational needs and market conditions

STANDARDS & COMPLIANCE FRAMEWORKS

AS9100  ·  ITAR / EAR  ·  Counterfeit Mitigation  ·  Approved Vendor List (AVL)  ·  Supplier Corrective Action  ·  Procurement & Contract Regulations  ·  LEAN

PERFORMANCE MEASURES OWNED

Purchase Price Variance (PPV)  ·  Supplier On-Time Delivery  ·  Purchasing Budget vs. Forecast  ·  Purchase Commitments & Cost  ·  Supplier Quality, Delivery & Responsiveness  ·  Component Shortages  ·  Open PO Backlog  ·  Supplier Corrective Action Closure

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education Bachelor’s degree in Business, Supply Chain Management, Operations Management, Engineering, or a related field preferred	Experience Minimum 5–7 years of progressive purchasing/procurement experience, including prior experience as a Buyer or Senior Buyer
Industry Background Experience working at a contract manufacturer (EMS) in PCBA/electronics production is required	Leadership Previous supervisory or managerial experience leading a purchasing or buying team is required; able to manage a geographically distributed team, including direct reports based on the East Coast
Systems & Tools Strong, hands-on experience with ERP/MRP systems (Epicor strongly preferred); advanced Microsoft Excel (VLOOKUP, pivot tables, data analysis) and the broader MS Office suite	Business Acumen Financial acumen including budgeting, forecasting, and variance analysis; working knowledge of project management principles and of laws/regulations relating to procurement and contracts
Eligibility Must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

Market Experience EMS/PCBA procurement experience in aerospace, defense, or space markets strongly preferred	Certifications APICS (CPIM/CSCP) or ISM (CPSM) certification
Component Expertise Working knowledge of electronic component types, datasheets, and franchised distribution channels; experience managing component shortages, allocations, end-of-life (EOL), and counterfeit-mitigation processes	Compliance & Technical Familiarity with aerospace/defense supply chain requirements (e.g., ITAR/EAR) and AS9100 quality systems; able to read and interpret assembly drawings and Bills of Materials (BOMs)

KEY SKILLS & COMPETENCIES

Leadership, Coaching & Team Development  ·  Negotiation & Supplier Relationship Management  ·  Clear, Professional Communication with Staff, Customers & Executives  ·  Analytical & Financial Acumen  ·  Planning, Organization & Prioritization  ·  Problem-Solving & Sound Judgment Under Pressure  ·  Results Oriented & Attention to Detail

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS

• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage
• Annual performance bonus tied to business and personal objectives
• 401(k) with company match