Worker Type

Job Description

 

Summary

Reporting to the Vice President of Operations and working closely with Subcontracts, Operations, Finance, and Program Management, the Purchasing Manager will be responsible for managing the Production Purchasing team within the Business Unit organization as well as collaborating with other AV Business Units to leverage sourcing opportunities. You will be responsible for developing and implementing sourcing strategies to optimize costs, quality, and delivery performance. You will work closely with internal stakeholders and external suppliers to identify opportunities for cost savings, negotiate agreements, and manage supplier relationships. You will also be responsible for monitoring supplier performance and ensuring compliance with company policies and procedures.

Position Responsibilities

• Manage Purchasing team through use of standard Supply Chain metrics and workflow management
• Drive processes to successful completion in support on time purchase order placement & delivery of product.
• Use critical thinking skills to propose sound and innovative business solutions to increase operational efficiencies to insure business area and program success
• Successfully operate with minimal oversight, yet readily recognize and escalate when assistance is required
• Easily adapt to strategic and tactical tasks
• Work in a cross-functional team-oriented environment
• Have the capability to manage multiple conflicting priorities
• Must be fully knowledgeable in public law and Truthful Cost or Pricing Data
• Participate in supplier transition and readiness reviews
• Develop strong relationship with suppliers and internal and external stakeholders
• Attend and participate in meetings as Procurement representative as directed
• Drive visibility and action into supply mis-alignments
• Forward looking for trends, supplier risks, drop in demands, etc.
• Analyze root causes to lead resolution to a permanent fix that will mitigate a repeat of material shortages
• Responsible for developing and improving sourcing strategies to enhance price, quality, timing, and reliability outcomes
• Present to senior leadership on supplier issues
• The role will require the candidate to be experienced and knowledgeable in compliant procurement documentation to include well documented Cost/Price Analyses
• Other duties as assigned

Basic Qualifications (Required Skills & Experience)

• Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Supply Chain Management, or related field or equivalent combination of 8+ years of experience in Procurement or Subcontract Management in a Defense environment.
• 3+ years of experience in a people leadership role.
• Strong negotiation skills and ability to build and maintain effective relationships with suppliers.
• Understanding of material forecasting, leveraging of requirements, demand planning, materials management and quality assurance and systems in a production setting
• Ability to problem solve and lead others in problem-solving activities.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook).
• Strong communication and presentation skills.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.

Other Qualifications & Desired Competencies

• Management or Team Lead experience
• Experience with Contractor Purchasing System Reviews (CPSR)
• Uses vision to think beyond the immediate situation, explore multiple potential paths, and adapt decision-making style based on the situational circumstances
• Inspires, motivates, and empowers people to deliver organizational goals, while also delivering value back to employees
• Brings organizational values to life using personality, uniqueness and the creation of a shared vision
• Champions the process of change and promotes a culture of quick adaptation while helping others deal with the effects of change
• Demonstrates the ability to develop and maintain internal and external trusting, professional relationships
• Assesses the degree of risk and opportunity in plans or actions and takes appropriate action to mitigate them or makes plans to build on the opportunity

Physical Demands

• Ability to work in an office environment (Constant)
• Required to sit and stand for long periods; talk, hear, and use hands and fingers to operate a computer and telephone keyboard (Frequent)

Special Requirements

• U.S. Citizen, U.S. Permanent Resident (Green Card holder) or asylee/refugee status as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3) required.
• Occasionally may be required to travel within the Continental U.S.

Clearance Level

 

The salary range for this role is:

AeroVironment considers several factors when extending an offer, including but not limited to, the location, the role and associated responsibilities, a candidate’s work experience, education/training, and key skills.

ITAR Requirement:

This position requires access to information that is subject to compliance with the International Traffic Arms Regulations (“ITAR”) and/or the Export Administration Regulations (“EAR”). In order to comply with the requirements of the ITAR and/or the EAR, applicants must qualify as a U.S. person under the ITAR and the EAR, or a person to be approved for an export license by the governing agency whose technology comes under its jurisdiction. Please understand that any job offer that requires approval of an export license will be conditional on AeroVironment’s determination that it will be able to obtain an export license in a time frame consistent with AeroVironment’s business requirements. A “U.S. person” according to the ITAR definition is a U.S. citizen, U.S. lawful permanent resident (green card holder), or protected individual such as a refugee or asylee. See 22 CFR § 120.15. Some positions will require current U.S. Citizenship due to contract requirements.

Benefits:  AV offers an excellent benefits package including medical, dental vision, 401K with company matching, a 9/80 work schedule and a paid holiday shutdown.  For more information about our company benefit offerings please visit:  http://www.avinc.com/myavbenefits.

We also encourage you to review our company website at http://www.avinc.com to learn more about us.

Principals only need apply.  NO agencies please.

Who We Are

Based in California, AeroVironment (AVAV) is a global leader in unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) and tactical missile systems. Founded in 1971 by celebrated physicist and engineer, Dr. Paul MacCready, we’ve been at the leading edge of technical innovation for more than 45 years. Be a part of the team that developed the world’s most widely used military drones and created the first submarine-launched reconnaissance drone, and has seven innovative vehicles that are part of the Smithsonian Institution’s permanent collection in Washington, DC.

Join us today in developing the next generation of small UAS and tactical missile systems that will deliver more actionable intelligence to our customers so they can proceed with certainty – and succeed.

What We Do

Building on a history of technological innovation, AeroVironment designs, develops, produces, and supports an advanced portfolio of unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) and tactical missile systems.  Agencies of the U.S. Department of Defense and allied military services use the company’s hand-launched UAS to provide situational awareness to tactical operating units through real-time, airborne reconnaissance, surveillance, and target acquisition.

We are proud to be an EEO/AA Equal Opportunity Employer, including disability/veterans. AeroVironment, Inc. is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) employer and welcomes all qualified applicants. Qualified applicants will receive fair and impartial consideration without regard to race, sex, color, religion, national origin, age, disability, protected veteran status, genetic data, sexual orientation, gender identity or other legally protected status.

ITAR