Sr. Buyer / Planner in Laurel, Maryland at Antenna Research Associates Inc

Company Description

ARA is a leading C5ISR company that designs, manufactures, tests and installs innovative technologies that provide the national security community with unparalleled situational awareness, threat detection, and communications capabilities.

Our disruptive, integrated solutions, assemblies and subsystems rise to the challenging demands of discerning, mission-critical customers.

We leverage our capabilities to meet and exceed the requirements of our customers and empower them to remain ahead of evolving threats and complexities in a dynamic security landscape.

Job Summary

We are seeking a Sr. Buyer/Planner to lead and execute procurement and material planning activities that support production schedules, program objectives, and operational performance. This role is responsible for the end-to-end management of material supply, including demand planning, MRP execution, supplier management, purchasing, inventory optimization, and risk mitigation.

Essential Functions

Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Manage end-to-end material planning and procurement for assigned programs and production requirements.
• Create, issue, and manage purchase orders to ensure material availability and schedule adherence.
• Review MRP outputs and resolve material shortages, reschedules, and supply exceptions.
• Develop and maintain supplier relationships while driving improvements in cost, quality, and delivery performance.
• Negotiate pricing, contracts, and commercial agreements to achieve cost and supply objectives.
• Identify and mitigate supply chain risks through proactive planning and supplier management.
• Expedite critical materials and resolve supplier-related issues impacting production.
• Partner with engineering, manufacturing, program management, logistics, and finance to support business objectives.
• Support sourcing decisions through supplier evaluation, market analysis, and technical collaboration.
• Manage inventory levels to balance material availability and inventory investment.
• Monitor supplier performance and implement corrective actions as needed.
• Coordinate logistics activities, including shipment tracking and freight management.
• Maintain accurate procurement and planning data within ERP/MRP systems.
• Track key performance metrics and support continuous improvement initiatives.
• Ensure compliance with company policies, ITAR, FAR/DFAR, and applicable regulations.
• Mentor and provide guidance to junior procurement and planning personnel.

Position Qualifications

In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification form upon hire.

Competency Statements

• Adaptability - Adapts to change, open to new ideas and responsibilities
• Communication - Ability to communicate thoughts clearly, both oral and written in an honest, open and timely manner
• Job Knowledge - Understands facets of job, aware of duties and responsibilities, keeps job knowledge current
• Technical Skill - Possesses the knowledge and skills needed to perform a job or role effectively
• Dependability - Meets deadlines, works independently or in a team environment, is accountable, maintains focus, good attendance record
• Quality - Strives to eliminate errors, accurate work is a priority, seeks opportunities to improve products
• Ethics - Honest, accountable, maintains confidentiality
• Initiative / Take Ownership - Takes action, seeks new opportunities, strives to see projects to completion, meaning own your job and see it through
• Decision Making – Problem solve and critical thinking skills, be able to reach a decision, takes thoughtful approach when considering options, seeks input from others, makes difficult decisions
• Customer Focus - Understands and can meet the needs in a customer-centric (Internal and External) environment and build strong relationships. Promotes a positive image of the company and strives to solve issues raised by customers

Experience and Skills

• 5–7+ progressive experience in procurement, purchasing, material planning, or supply chain management within a manufacturing environment; aerospace, defense, or DoD experience preferred.
• Demonstrated experience managing both procurement and material planning functions.
• Experience with ERP systems (Costpoint preferred) and fixed pricing agreements.
• Knowledge of electromechanical and electronic components, technical drawings, Bills of Material (BOMs), and engineering documentation.
• Technical knowledge of products, military specifications, and federal acquisition regulations (FAR/DFAR).
• Experience with supplier performance management, strategic sourcing, and contract negotiation.
• Strong understanding of inventory control, demand planning, and supply chain risk mitigation.
• Excellent negotiation, communication, and problem-solving skills.
• Demonstrated ability to lead projects influence cross-functional teams and mentor junior staff.

Education

• Bachelor’s Degree in Business, Supply Chain or related field, required
• Certification in procurement or supply chain (CPSM, CPIM) preferred

Antenna Research Associates, Inc. is an equal opportunity employer committed to a policy of non-discrimination and affirmative action. We do not discriminate based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or any other legally protected status.