AI summary
Buyer role at Kratos Defense (Gichner Shelter Systems) focused on procuring materials and services to support manufacturing. You'll manage RFQs, negotiate pricing and delivery, issue POs, maintain inventory controls, and build supplier relationships, with responsibility for resolving receipt/invoice issues and supporting Sales quotes.
Key skills
Manufacturing purchasingRFQs and bid solicitationPrice and delivery negotiationPurchase order (PO) creation and expeditingInventory controlMRPSafety stock and JITSupplier sourcing and qualification (approved supplier list)Part Master database maintenanceInvoice/receipt discrepancy resolution
Salary not listed — comparable onsite Buyer roles in Pennsylvania manufacturing/defense typically pay about $55k–$75k base, depending on experience and certifications.
You'll thrive here if you have 2–5 years of manufacturing purchasing experience and enjoy negotiating, managing suppliers, and keeping materials flowing on-time to meet production demand.
Why apply
- Work in defense manufacturing procurement
- Build supplier partnerships and forecasts
- Support small and disadvantaged business goals
GENERAL JOB SUMMARY:
EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:
WORK ENVIRONMENT/PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:
To procure all materials and services used in the manufacture of Gichner Shelter Systems product.
ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:
- Solicits price quotations of goods and services for both bids and buys.
- Negotiates pricing and delivery to specific budgets and terms.
- Prepares and places purchase orders and follows-up to ensure timely delivery in order to meet demand for products.
- Reviews and analyzes requirements to maintain inventory control and achieve lowest total cost.
- Monitors small and disadvantaged business goals to achieve targets.
- Maintains Part Master database.
- Investigates and resolves discrepant receipts and invoices.
- Researches and interviews potential suppliers.
- Monitors price and lead-time trends.
- Supplier relations (partnerships, forecasts, e-signals, consignment arrangements, etc.).
- Selects and approves new suppliers (approved supplier list.).
- Processes returns and rejections and monitors supplier corrective action as required.
- Quote support to Sales department.
- Representative for job kickoff meetings as required.
- Other duties may be assigned.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, & ABILITIES:
- Ability to maintain sensitive and confidential information as required by government standards.
- Ability to interact effectively with peers and supervisors.
- Ability to interact appropriately with the public when necessary.
- Ability to adhere to workplace rules.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
- Thorough knowledge of Gichner's product lines and policies.
- Working knowledge and application of standard concepts, practices and procedures (ex.: MRP, Safety stock, JIT).
EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:
- 4-year college/university degree, or equivalent experience.
- 2 to 5 years' manufacturing purchasing experience.
- Working towards professional association certification (NAPM, APICS, etc.).
WORK ENVIRONMENT/PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:
- Office environment.
- Ability to stand and sit for long periods of time.
- Ability to perform repetitive motion (keyboarding, 10-key, phones).
- Ability to lift up to 10 pounds.
- Ability to follow standard precautions using personal protective equipment as required.