Buyer

About the role

Day-to-day: Process purchase requisitions into orders for COTS products, IT hardware, and aerospace materials; source suppliers, issue RFQs/RFPs, and negotiate pricing; manage supplier relationships and resolve quality or delivery issues

You'll bring: Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain/Business or equivalent; 5+ years procurement experience with COTS and IT hardware; ERP/procurement system proficiency (SAP, Oracle, Coupa); strong negotiation and supplier management skills

Good fit if: Aerospace, defense, or regulated manufacturing background; aerospace quality standards and compliance knowledge; professional certification (CPM, CPSM); strategic sourcing and category management experience

Generated from the recruiter description below. The full posting is the source of truth — always read it before applying.

About Client:
The client is a private aerospace manufacturer and spaceflight services company, which aims to make access to space more affordable and reliable through the development of reusable rocket technology. It has several ambitious projects in progress, including its New Shepard suborbital rocket, designed for space tourism and research missions, and the New Glenn orbital launch vehicle, intended to compete with SpaceX's Falcon rockets in the commercial satellite launch market.
The client has also been involved in developing lunar landers and other technologies to support NASA's Artemis program, which aims to return humans to the Moon and eventually establish a sustainable human presence there.

Rate Range: $51.93/Hr

Job Description:

• The client is seeking an experienced Level 3 Indirect Buyer (Contractor) to support our procurement operations.
• This role will be responsible for managing the end-to-end procurement of indirect materials and services, with specialized focus on standard Commercial Off-The-Shelf (COTS) products, Engineering Technology/Information Technology (ET/IT) hardware, and aerospace-related goods and services.
• The ideal candidate will bring strong negotiation skills, supplier management experience, and the ability to navigate complex procurement requirements in a fast-paced aerospace environment.

Key Responsibilities:
Procurement & Sourcing:

• Execute the full procurement lifecycle for indirect categories, including COTS products, ET/IT hardware, and aerospace materials/services
• Process purchase requisitions and convert them into purchase orders in compliance with company policies and procedures
• Source, evaluate, and select suppliers based on cost, quality, delivery, and service criteria
• Issue Requests for Quote (RFQs) and Requests for Proposal (RFPs) and conduct competitive bid analyses

Standard COTS Procurement:

• Manage procurement of standard commercial off-the-shelf products across multiple categories
• Identify opportunities for catalog buying and standardization to drive efficiency
• Maintain relationships with COTS distributors and manufacturers

ET/IT Hardware Procurement:

• Procure engineering technology and information technology hardware, including computing equipment, networking components, peripherals, and test equipment
• Coordinate with IT and engineering stakeholders to understand technical specifications and requirements
• Ensure hardware procurement aligns with security, compatibility, and lifecycle management requirements

Aerospace Procurement:

• Support procurement of aerospace-related materials, components, and services
• Navigate specialized requirements including quality certifications, traceability, and compliance standards relevant to aerospace applications
• Coordinate with engineering and quality teams on technical and compliance specifications

Supplier & Stakeholder Management:

• Develop and maintain strong supplier relationships to ensure reliable supply and competitive pricing
• Negotiate pricing, terms, and conditions to achieve cost savings and value
• Resolve supplier issues including quality concerns, delivery delays, and invoice discrepancies
• Partner with internal stakeholders to understand business needs and ensure timely fulfillment

Compliance & Documentation:

• Ensure all procurement activities comply with company policies, contractual requirements, and applicable regulations
• Maintain accurate procurement records and documentation
• Support audit activities and reporting requirements

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain, Business, or related field, or equivalent experience
• 5+ years of procurement/purchasing experience, preferably in an indirect buying capacity
• Demonstrated experience procuring COTS products and IT/technology hardware
• Strong negotiation and supplier management skills
• Proficiency with ERP/procurement systems (e.g., SAP, Oracle, Coupa)
• Excellent analytical, communication, and organizational skills
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience in aerospace, defense, or other highly regulated manufacturing environments
• Familiarity with aerospace quality standards and procurement compliance requirements
• Professional certification (e.g., CPM, CPSM, or equivalent)
• Experience with strategic sourcing and category management

Pre-Screen Questions:

• Procurement Experience & Category Expertise Describe your experience managing the end-to-end procurement lifecycle for indirect categories. Specifically, what is your hands-on experience purchasing standard COTS products, ET/IT hardware, and aerospace-related materials or services? Please provide examples of category spend you've managed.
• Negotiation & Cost Savings Walk us through a specific example where you negotiated favorable pricing, terms, or conditions with a supplier. What was the situation, what approach did you take, and what measurable savings or value did you achieve?
• ERP/Procurement Systems Proficiency Which procurement or ERP systems have you used (e.g., SAP, Oracle, Coupa)? Describe your level of proficiency and how you've used these tools to process requisitions, manage purchase orders, and track procurement activities.

Please note that ApTask offers subsidized insurance coverage to our employees.

About ApTask:
ApTask is a leading global provider of workforce solutions and talent acquisition services, dedicated to shaping the future of work. As an African American-owned and Veteran-owned company, ApTask offers a comprehensive suite of services, including staffing and recruitment solutions, managed services, IT consulting, and project management. With a focus on excellence, collaboration, and innovation, ApTask provides unparalleled opportunities for professional growth and development. As a member of the ApTask team, you will have the chance to connect businesses with top-tier professionals, optimize workforce performance, and drive success across diverse industries. Join us at ApTask and be part of our mission to empower organizations to thrive while fostering a diverse and inclusive work environment.

Applicants may be required to attend interviews in person or by video conference. In addition, candidates may be required to present their current state or government issued ID during each interview.

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At ApTask, we prioritize safeguarding your privacy. As part of our recruitment process, certain Personally Identifiable Information (PII) may be requested by our clients for verification and application purposes. Rest assured, we strictly adhere to confidentiality standards and comply with all relevant data protection laws. Please note that we only collect the necessary information as specified by each client and do not request sensitive details during the initial stages of recruitment.

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About operations at ApTask

Operations roles at ApTask cover program management, PMO, business analysis, transformation, and change-management positions across enterprise clients. We place operators who translate strategy into delivery — PMPs, Scrum Masters, agile coaches, Six Sigma black belts, and change-management practitioners certified in Prosci or the client's preferred framework. Candidates are validated against the specific enterprise tooling the client runs (ServiceNow, Jira Portfolio, Clarity, Planview) and their prior track record in comparable-scale programs, not generic delivery experience.