Job Description

We trust our employees to bring bold ideas to build the future of aerospace together, contributing to our ranking by TIME as the leading Aerospace & Defense company on the 2023 World's Best Companies list (#59 on the full list). Join our team and become part of the group that's making amazing things happen on the ground and in the skies. Together, we'll proudly step back and say, “We did that."

The Safran growth strategy centers on three imperatives: growing company market share, customer satisfaction and achieving operational excellence. The buyer role is responsible for acquiring goods and services at a competitive price, ensuring that goods are of top quality, and facilitating delivery of goods via the issuance and management of a purchase order. Analyzes demand and plans supply in accordance, ensures efficient and quality execution of requirements and purchasing action messages, manages supplier delivery, quality, and cost performance and improvement. This role requires a diverse purchasing background and a thorough understanding of supplier performance, quality requirements, and documentation/certification processes. The ideal candidate will possess strong negotiation and contract administration skills, as well as the ability to mentor lower-level buyers and expeditors.

The Aftermarket Buyer role is unique as it supports critical post-delivery operations by sourcing and procuring aerospace components for spare parts, system upgrades, and maintenance programs. This position demands a strong familiarity with a broad range of aircraft parts and aftermarket programs, enabling swift response to urgent customer requirements and sustained operational performance. The position plays a key role in sustaining aircraft readiness, customer satisfaction, and regulatory compliance through agile supply chain coordination and vendor management.
Team Leadership
• Point of escalation to material issues that require attention and present a risk for the buyers to successfully execute the procurement process to meet the required demand dates
• Coaches, trains, and mentors junior Purchasing Agents
• Identify and manage special projects and teams, as required
• Assist in the continuous improvement of the Purchasing organization
Role Assignment
• Acts as authorized agent of the company, making financial commitments and managing key supplier relationships to ensure supply chain performance
• Manages complex supplier accounts, requiring advanced knowledge of commodity, supply base, and program
• Responsible for key suppliers, significant spend, and challenging supply chain problem resolution
• Provides peer review and oversight to junior Purchasing Agents
• Possesses comprehensive knowledge of subject matter

Job Requirements

Education: Bachelor's degree in business, supply chain management, or related field, or equivalent experience
Experience: Minimum of 6 years of experience in purchasing, preferably in the aerospace or aviation industry

Computer Skills:
• MRP system experience
• MS Office Skills (Excel, PowerPoint)
Other Skills:
• Strong written and verbal business communications abilities
• Understanding of engineering principles and ability to interpret technical drawings
• Self-starter with ability to drive improvement, meet timeliness and objectives
• Identifying problems working with teams to solve through leading actions collaboratively
• Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced environment, high-pressure environment
• Excellent analytical organizational skills
• Utilize Excel functions (including VLOOKUP) and PowerPoint for analytical reporting and presentations.
• Coordinate with operations and logistics teams to ensure timely and accurate sourcing of materials.
• Monitor and report on purchasing KPI's, ensuring targets are met and that your deadlines are consistently adhered to
• Review and adjust planning orders for accuracy, proactively correcting discrepancies to meet customer demands and production schedules.
• Ability to apply Supply Chain past experience to current environment and modify as needed.
• Ability to negotiate, influence, and win respect
• Ability to make timely decisions and take action
• Ability to provide information regarding tasks, plans, schedule and strategy to stakeholders.
• Customer service oriented

Additional Preferred Skills: (not required)
• Certified Procurement Professional (CPP)
• Certified Supply Chain Professional (CSCP)
• Previous experience supporting manufacturing, aerospace preferred
• Ability to read and analyze engineering prints

General Notes:
• All employees have an affirmative duty to protect and maintain the confidentiality of Safran's products.
• As business conditions change it is necessary that all employees productively react and handle other essential tasks as assigned now or in the future.
• Tasks may vary slightly based on products produced at division.
• Duties listed above are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties and responsibilities required. The company may modify responsibilities as needed to meet business and organizational needs.

Working Conditions:
1. Does require fluent communication in English.
2. Employment status is full-time.
3. Traveling may be required.
4. Protracted or irregular hours may be required.
5. Relocation to another facility may be required.

But what else? (advantages, specific features, etc.)

Purchasing Execution
• Make daily purchases and input into MRP system based on demand, while analyzing the quality, specifications, and delivery requirements
• Ensure just in time supply aligns with loaded demand to maintain inventory targets
• Send out quotations for bid on non-contracted items, and negotiate best price
• Interface with planning and purchasing Demand and Program Managers to ensure any changes in schedule or requirements are flowed down to suppliers
• Review purchase orders regularly and follow up on unconfirmed orders, past due items, etc.
Supplier Management
• Generate effective communication, good relationships, and a positive image with suppliers, promoting courtesy, objectivity, and fairness
• Act as authorized agent of the company and primary contact to assigned suppliers
• Proactively manage suppliers and regularly assess performance to ensure on-time delivery of quality product
• Manage program shortages and ensure supplier commitments are communicated to IPT Lead
• Review non-conformance reports (NCRs) against supplier product and communicate and coordinate disposition
• Identifies and mitigates risk, solves problems, and escalates as needed to Demand and Program Managers and/or Purchasing Manager

Company Information

Safran is an international high-technology group, operating in the aviation (propulsion, equipment and interiors), defense and space markets. Its core purpose is to contribute to a safer, more sustainable world, where air transport is more environmentally friendly, comfortable and accessible. Safran has a global presence, with 100,000 employees and sales of 27.3 billion euros in 2024, and holds, alone or in partnership, world or regional leadership positions in its core markets.
Safran is in the 2nd place in the aerospace and defense industry in TIME magazine's "World's best companies 2024" ranking.

Safran Cabin designs, certifies, manufactures and supports innovative aircraft cabin interiors, equipment and systems, providing airlines and OEM Customers with distinctive aircraft branding, and their passengers with a safe, comfortable and enjoyable flying experience.