Sr Purchasing Specialist in Johnstown, Pennsylvania at Kongsberg Protech Systems USA Corporation
Job Description
KDA, Inc, headquartered in Alexandria, Virginia, has been operating in the United States for more than 20 years. We produce world-leading Remote Weapon Systems (RWS) for the US Army, Marine Corps, and allies at our Johnstown, Pennsylvania factory. We have delivered more than 20,000 PROTECTOR RWS to 28 countries. The National Advanced Surface-to-Air System (NASAMS) is a highly mobile and tailorable capability that protects the airspace of 13 countries and Washington, DC. In 2027, we will do final assembly, test, and sustainment of the Naval Strike Missile and Joint Strike Missile systems at a new factory in southern Virginia.
Join us, and you’ll be part of a high performing team that develops advanced technology solutions to protect people and critical infrastructure in countries around the world. Explore your potential and discover what your future could be with Kongsberg Defense & Aerospace, Inc.
Kongsberg Defense & Aerospace, Inc., located in Johnstown, PA, is seeking an experienced and results-driven Senior Purchasing Specialist to play a key role in supporting the production of advanced defense and aerospace systems. In this position, you will be responsible for ensuring the timely availability of complex, critical materials required to meet manufacturing and program objectives while driving supplier performance, strengthening supply chain capabilities, and supporting strategic sourcing initiatives. Working closely with internal stakeholders, suppliers, and program teams, you will lead procurement activities, perform contract negotiations, mitigate supply chain risks, and help ensure the successful delivery of products that support defense and security missions around the world. If you are a proactive procurement professional with strong negotiation skills, supply chain expertise, and a passion for operational excellence, we invite you to join our high-performing team and help advance innovative solutions that protect people and critical infrastructure worldwide
RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Perform review of Planned PO requirements with Purchasing Specialists and provide guidance of strategic procurement utilizing Enterprise Resource Planning system to identify, order and expedite Production materials as well as Repair & Overhaul materials.
- Interface with Master Scheduler and Planning to identify material issues and report same to Operations.
- Update ERP system with Order Confirmations and critical delivery dates, including change dates.
- Ensure all required PO documentation is stored in the PDM system (Enovia) as per the Certified Purchasing System requirements.
- Provide supplier guidance to Purchasing Specialist and Purchasing Associate buying indirect materials, including shop supplies, tooling, equipment, office supplies, work clothes, etc.
- Work with Return to Vendor Coordinator to process Material Non-conformances and Rejections, Coordinate return, and facilitate resolution to issues associated with defective or damaged materials.
- Assist with the follow-up of Supplier Corrective Action Requests and Engineering Change Requests and implement Engineering Change Orders.
- Make periodic visits to suppliers' facilities to maintain familiarity with equipment, personnel and capabilities, and assist them when problems arise; and identify and develop productivity and cost improvement strategies for suppliers.
- Perform Supplier Evaluations and implement improvements based on established metrics.
- Identify & implement improvement initiatives related to the Procurement function at Kongsberg Defense & Aerospace.
- Negotiate with the suppliers in accordance with Company and Government regulations.
- Apply Department of Defense (DOD)/US Government, Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR)/Defense Federal Acquisition Regulations (DFAR) regulations to meet contract expectations for consistency, accuracy and compliance in purchase order documentation.
Strategic Procurement Responsibilities:
- Lead new supplier development initiatives.
- Monitor Suppliers, utilizing Improve and in cooperation with appropriate KONGSBERG personnel such as operational purchaser, QA representatives etc.
- Support Marketing & Sales and Government Relations according to need, including participation off hours.
- Support Kongsberg Defense & Aerospace’s Small Business contracting requirements.
- Prepare and issue supplier RFI, RFQ and RFP in collaboration with Kongsberg Defense & Aerospace’s Procurement Department.
- Single Point of Contact for selected suppliers and/or responsibility for certain commodities, have knowledge of suppliers and commodities including market situation.
- Negotiate with the suppliers in accordance with Company and Government regulations.
- Develop supplier/commodity strategies and maintain them based on forecasted need.
- Support the procurement of the Business Units purchasing needs focusing on best purchasing practices. (bundling, volumes etc.).
- Develop and issue forecast to suppliers.
- Review engineering drawings and specifications with new and prospective suppliers.
- Evaluate quotation packages, proposals and suppliers, including risk assessment, capacity analysis and quality controls through various methods, including on-site audits.
Contractual Responsibilities:
- Perform negotiation of commercial terms and price for Kongsberg Defense & Aerospace Procurement.
- Participate in technical terms negotiations with Kongsberg Defense & Aerospace Engineering.
- Ensure that KDA has NDAs and necessary documentation in place with suppliers and that we are following the company onboarding process.
QUALIFICATIONS:
EDUCATION:
- Bachelor’s Degree in business or related field plus five years of experience directly related to purchasing, contracts or supply chain.
REQUIRED SKILLS & EXPEREINCE:
- Five years of experience directly related to purchasing, contracts or supply chain.
- Experience with Federal Government contracting preferred.
ANY ADDITIONAL, PERIODIC OR OCCASIONAL DUTIES:
- Other duties as assigned.
MINIMUM LEARNING TIME FOR THIS POSITION:
- 6 months(+).
PHYSICAL AND MENTAL DEMANDS OF THE JOB:
- Concentration/attentiveness; high level of decision making; high level of record-keeping; high pressure for results; manage multiple projects/tasks; respond to angry/upset individuals; read and comprehend instructions/work orders. Hear; operate a vehicle; sit; walk; use hands to type. Ability to work with fine detail and distinguish color.
OTHER POSITION CONSIDERATIONS:
- Job Type: Full Time, Exempt.
- Location: This position operates onsite at our Johnstown, PA facility. The ability to reliably commute or planning to relocate before starting work is required.
- Travel: Up to 30% international and domestic travel required.
- Proficient user of Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Access, Outlook, etc.).
- KDA, Inc. requires all candidates to successfully complete a pre-employment physical, drug and alcohol screening, and a background investigation as part of the hiring process.
BENEFITS:
- Health Insurance: Employer paid premiums, 100%
- Medical Insurance
- Dental Insurance
- Vision Insurance
- Health Savings Account
- Flexible Spending Account
- Dependent care Flexible Spending Account
- 401(k) matching
- Employee Assistance Program
- Tuition Reimbursement
- Life Insurance
- Paid Time Off
- Sick Time Off
- Flexible Schedule
U.S. PERSON REQUIREMENT: “To comply with U.S. national security requirements mandated under the U.S. International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), Kongsberg Defense & Aerospace, Inc. will consider only applicants who are U.S. Persons for this position.” OR “Applicant must be a U.S. Person within the meaning of United States International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) governing export control.” “A U.S. Person is a United States Citizen or National, Lawful Permanent Resident, Lawful Temporary Resident, Refugee or Asylee.”
Kongsberg Defense & Aerospace, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability or veteran status, or any other applicable state or federal protected class. Kongsberg Defense & Aerospace, Inc. provides affirmative action in employment for qualified Individuals with a Disability and Protected Veterans in compliance with Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act and the Vietnam Era Veterans’ Readjustment Assistance Act.
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