Senior Planner/Buyer (Manufacturing)

TL;DR

Senior Planner/Buyer (Supply Chain): Managing procurement strategies and vendor relationships for Turreted Weapon Systems within the Defense Division with an accent on strategic sourcing and total cost of ownership. Focus on optimizing the supply base, executing complex RFQs, and ensuring material availability via SAP/MRP systems.

Location: Hybrid – Santa Barbara, CA

Salary: $115,000 – $148,000 Annually

Company

Global leader in motion control solutions across land, sea, air, and space, pioneering advanced innovation for defense and aerospace sectors.

What you will do

• Manage and execute procurement strategies for assigned categories to support manufacturing needs.
• Negotiate price, quality, and delivery with vendors in collaboration with the Legal team.
• Conduct global market research to identify and qualify new suppliers and optimize the supply base.
• Execute RFQs to evaluate supplier capabilities, risks, and total cost of ownership.
• Source direct and indirect materials both domestically and internationally.
• Maintain system data for lead times and inventory accuracy using SAP, Ariba, and MRP tools.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Supply Chain, Engineering, Finance, or a related technical field.
• Minimum 5 years of progressive procurement experience in manufacturing or engineering.
• 2-5 years of experience in a sourcing organization or relevant commercial business.
• Proficiency in Advanced Excel, PowerPoint, MRP, SAP, and Ariba.
• Must be authorized to access U.S. export-controlled information.

Nice to have

• MBA or professional certifications (ISM-CPM/CPSM, APICS-CPIM).
• Project or Program Management experience.
• Knowledge of procurement and contractual law.

Culture & Benefits

• Comprehensive financial package including annual profit sharing, matching 401k, and Employee Stock Purchase Plan.
• Flexible paid time off, holidays, and a supportive parental leave program.
• Full health insurance coverage including medical, dental, vision, life, and disability.
• Professional growth opportunities through tuition assistance, mentorship, and leadership coaching.
• Inclusive workplace culture with Employee Resource Groups and team-building activities.