Buyer

Rock West Composites, Inc. has an exciting opportunity for a Buyer.  

Who We Are:

Rock West Composites designs and manufactures advanced composite solutions for aerospace, defense, space, and commercial applications. From concept through production, we turn complex ideas into high-performance products.

As an employee-owned company, our people are our greatest strength. We value innovation, collaboration, and a shared commitment to building products that matter.

Position Summary:

The Buyer manages purchasing activities, supplier coordination, and material availability to support production schedules. This role verifies requisitions, negotiates purchase orders, maintains accurate ERP data, and works with Engineering and Quality to source approved materials. The Buyer also supports inventory planning, cost control, and waste reduction through effective purchasing practices and supplier management.

What You'll Own:

• Purchasing, purchase orders, and supplier negotiations
  
• Supplier relationships, lead times, and delivery performance
  
• Material availability and production schedule support
  
• Inventory planning, EOQ, and shelf-life management
  
• ERP accuracy, purchasing data, and cost control

Essential Functions:

Purchasing & Procurement Operations

• Verifies purchase requisitions by comparing items requested to master list; clarifying unclear items; recommending alternatives.
• Prepares purchase orders by verifying specifications and pricing; obtaining recommendations from suppliers for substitute items; obtaining approval from engineering or quality.
• Obtains purchased items by forwarding purchase orders to suppliers; monitoring and expediting orders.
• Negotiates purchase orders based on cost, terms, and service.
  

Supplier & Order Management

• Verifies receipt of items by comparing items received to items ordered; resolves shipment discrepancies with suppliers.
• Maintains accurate lead times in the ERP system consistent with supplier performance and operational needs.
• Expedites delivery of goods to users as needed to support production schedules.
• Demonstrates understanding of the supply base and commodities required for composite manufacturing.
  

Inventory Planning & Material Control

• Ability to calculate Economic Order Quantities (EOQ) based on material cost, lead time, and usage.
• Manages items with expiration dates to reduce overall scrap and material waste.
• Analyzes data in the ERP system to validate demand and procure materials according to established ABC policies.
  

Systems, Accuracy & Continuous Improvement

• Ensures accuracy and consistency of procurement and inventory data within the ERP system.
• Supports operational efficiency through proactive planning, data analysis, and continuous process improvement.
  

Non-Essential Functions:

• Other duties as assigned.

What You Bring:

Experience

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent combination of education and purchasing experience; 10 years of buying experience accepted in lieu of a degree.
  
• Experience in purchasing, procurement, supplier management, or material planning within a manufacturing environment preferred.
  
• Experience purchasing materials or commodities for composite or advanced manufacturing operations preferred.
  
• Purchasing certification or APICS certification a plus.

Technical Skills

• Knowledge of purchasing processes, supplier negotiations, purchase orders, and material requirements.
  
• Understanding of inventory planning, Economic Order Quantities (EOQ), ABC analysis, and material lead times.
  
• Experience using ERP systems to manage purchasing, inventory, and supplier information; SAP experience a plus.
  
• Ability to analyze purchasing data, resolve discrepancies, and support cost-effective procurement decisions.

Professional Skills

• Strong organizational skills with attention to detail and accuracy.
  
• Effective communication, negotiation, and supplier relationship management skills.
  
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making abilities.
  
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and respond to changing production requirements.

Perks and Benefits: 

• Salary Range: $80,000 - $100,000 (based on experience and skillset)

• 100% Employer Paid Medical and Dental 
• Annual Bonus 
• 401K - 5% match
  
• Employee Stocks Option Program 
• 9/80 work schedule
• 8- paid Holidays 
  
• PTO: Max. 4-weeks after 5 years of employment 
• $2,500 tuition reimbursement 

Equal Opportunity Employer

Rock West Composites is an Equal Opportunity Employer. It is the policy of the company to provide equal opportunity for all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, religious creed, ancestry, gender, pregnancy, sex, sexual orientation, transitioning status, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, age, genetic information, military and veteran status, marital status, medical condition, mental disability, physical disability, or any other basis protected by local, state, or federal law. EEO is the law. We also prohibit compensation discrimination under all applicable laws. Certain positions require meeting the U.S. Person definition in 22 CFR 120.62.

ITAR Requirement

To conform to U.S. Government export regulations, applicant must be a (i) U.S. citizen or national, (ii) U.S. lawful, permanent resident (aka green card holder) as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1101(a)(20), (iii) Refugee under 8 U.S.C. 1157, or (iv) Asylee under 8 U.S.C. 1158, Must be authorized to work in the U.S. without the company’s immigration sponsorship now or in the future. Rock West Composites will not offer immigration sponsorship for this position. Rock West Composites will not seek an export authorization for this role. Rock West Composites maintains a Drug and Alcohol-Free Workplace. Depending on state law and the nature of the position, candidates who receive a conditional offer of employment may be required to complete a drug screening. Rock West Composites may also conduct drug and alcohol testing based on reasonable suspicion, post-incident, or for safety-sensitive positions as permitted by law.

Accommodation Notice

If you are an individual with a disability and require a reasonable accommodation to complete any part of the application process, or are limited in the ability or unable to access or use this online application process and need an alternative method for applying, you may contact 858-537-6260.