Based in Phoenix, Arizona, the F&B Mfg LLC has been in the business of making parts and complex sheet metal assemblies for the aerospace, military, automotive, semi-conductor and commercial industries since 1923. Our employees take pride in their work and know how they contribute to the company strategy and vision.
Job Description: Technical Raw Material Buyer / Supply Chain Specialist
Based in Phoenix, Arizona, the F&B Mfg LLC has been in the business of making parts and complex sheet metal assemblies for the aerospace, military, automotive, semi-conductor and commercial industries since 1923. Our employees take pride in their work and know how they contribute to the company strategy and vision.
Why This Role Matters
Reliable access to certified aerospace raw materials is critical to maintaining production schedules, meeting customer commitments, and supporting regulatory compliance. This position plays a key role in ensuring that high-quality materials are sourced competitively, delivered on time, and traceable to meet aerospace industry standards.
Position Summary
The Technical Raw Material Buyer / Supply Chain Specialist is responsible for sourcing, negotiating, and procuring aerospace raw materials required to support manufacturing operations. The role ensures materials are purchased at the best value while meeting quality, delivery, and customer requirements.
This position focuses on executing procurement strategies, coordinating with internal teams, and managing supplier relationships to ensure consistent material availability and supply chain continuity.
The position also provides backup support for Outside Services purchasing and shares responsibility for MRO supply procurement to ensure uninterrupted supply chain operations.
Key Responsibilities
Raw Material Procurement
- Source and procure aerospace raw materials including sheet, bar, forgings, castings, and hardware products required to support production schedules.
- Solicit supplier quotations, evaluate bids, and negotiate pricing, lead times, and contractual terms.
- Generate and manage purchase orders and ensure timely supplier acknowledgement.
- Monitor supplier commitments and expedite material deliveries to support production requirements.
- Maintain awareness of supplier/mill lead times, alloy availability, and market conditions affecting supply.
MRP Execution & Production Support
- Execute purchase order releases based on MRP signals and production schedules.
- Review material requirements and ensure timely placement of orders to support manufacturing needs.
- Coordinate closely with Production Planning to align procurement activities with shop floor demand.
- Identify potential material shortages and take proactive steps to resolve supply constraints.
- Communicate supply status, risks, and recovery plans to internal stakeholders.
Inventory Management
- Monitor raw material and hardware inventory levels to maintain appropriate stock levels.
- Coordinate with Planning and Production to prevent excess, obsolete, or shortage conditions.
- Support inventory control efforts through timely ordering and supplier coordination.
- Assist in maintaining accurate inventory records within the ERP/MRP system.
Supplier & Performance Management
- Maintain strong supplier relationships to ensure quality, delivery, and service expectations are met.
- Monitor supplier performance and address issues related to delivery delays, quality concerns, or responsiveness.
- Coordinate with Quality, Production, and Inspection to resolve supplier nonconformances.
- Support supplier onboarding, transitions, and ongoing performance improvement efforts.
Compliance & Traceability
- Ensure all purchased materials meet customer specifications, aerospace standards, and regulatory requirements.
- Verify suppliers provide required material certifications, traceability documentation, and compliance records as defined in the purchase order and quality clauses.
- Support adherence to AS9100 quality system requirements related to purchasing and supplier control.
Cross-Functional Purchasing Support
- Serve as backup support for Outside Services (OSV) purchasing to maintain continuity of operations.
- Share responsibility for MRO supply procurement with the Outside Services Buyer.
- Provide cross-functional coverage for other purchasing roles during absences or workload surges.
Administrative & Financial Coordination
- Assist Accounting in resolving invoice discrepancies and purchase order issues.
- Maintain accurate purchasing records within the ERP/MRP system.
- Ensure purchasing activities comply with company policies, supplier agreements, and rebate contracts.
Other Duties
- Perform additional purchasing or supply chain duties as assigned by the Supply Chain Manager.
Authority & Decision-Making
Within established company policies and purchasing procedures, the Supply Chain Specialist is authorized to:
- Solicit and evaluate supplier quotations.
- Negotiate pricing, delivery schedules, and commercial terms with approved suppliers.
- Issue purchase orders for materials and services required to support production.
- Expedite orders and coordinate delivery commitments with suppliers.
- Recommend supplier selection and sourcing strategies.
- Escalate supply chain risks, major cost impacts, or supplier performance concerns to management.
Final approval authority for supplier qualification, major contracts, or strategic sourcing decisions remains with Materials Management.
Performance Expectations
Success in this role is measured by:
- On-time material delivery supporting production schedules
- Supplier delivery performance and responsiveness
- Cost savings and cost avoidance through sourcing and negotiation
- Effective management of material shortages and supply risks
- Maintenance of material traceability and certification compliance
- Strong supplier relationships and quality performance
- Accuracy and timeliness of purchasing transactions and system data
Qualifications
Education and Experience
- Bachelor’s degree in Business, Supply Chain, or related field, or equivalent experience.
- Minimum 3 years of purchasing or supply chain experience, preferably in an aerospace manufacturing environment.
- Experience purchasing aerospace raw materials strongly preferred.
Skills and Competencies
- Knowledge of aerospace materials and manufacturing supply chains.
- Experience with ERP/MRP systems and material planning processes.
- Strong negotiation, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Excel, Outlook, and Word.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills.
- Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.
- Team-oriented with a proactive, execution-focused mindset.
Physical Requirements
- Primarily office-based work within a manufacturing facility.
- Ability to sit, stand, and walk through production areas as needed.
- Occasional bending, reaching, and lifting up to 25 lbs.
It is the policy F&B LLC to promote equal employment opportunity through a positive continuing program. This means that F&B MFG LLC will not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race, color, creed religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, mental or physical handicap and/or disability, veteran status, or any other protected classification. The Company will take affirmative action to ensure that all employment practices are free of such discrimination.