Purchase Specialist

Our client, is a technology-driven industrial organization operating within the
aerospace and defense sectors
, developing highly specialized systems and components for safety-critical and mission-critical applications.

The company works in environments defined by extreme reliability requirements, long product lifecycles, strict regulatory frameworks, and demanding customer specifications. Its portfolio includes tailor-made mechanical and electronic solutions developed in close collaboration with engineering teams and delivered through a carefully qualified international supply chain.

Quality, traceability, and compliance are not support functions but core pillars of the business model.

Mission

The Purchasing Specialist will operate in a
high-complexity aerospace and defense environment
, where procurement decisions have a direct impact on product quality, certification, and program schedules.

The mission of the role is to ensure the availability of fully compliant, high-reliability components and services, while maintaining perfect alignment with Engineering and Project Management to support customized solutions, manage technical change, and prevent delays in demanding programs.

This position acts as a critical interface between suppliers and internal technical teams, contributing directly to quality assurance, risk mitigation, and schedule protection.

Responsibilities

Technical Purchasing for Aerospace & Defense Programs

• Source and procure customized electrical and mechanical components, assemblies, and specialized services for aerospace and defense applications.
• Manage purchasing activities for low-volume, high-complexity parts with stringent technical, quality, and documentation requirements.
• Ensure procurement decisions fully support engineering intent, certification constraints, and program milestones.

Supplier Quality, Compliance & Risk Management

• Monitor supplier quality performance, including non-conformities, root cause analysis, and corrective action implementation.
• Ensure supplier compliance with applicable aerospace and defense quality standards, documentation, traceability, and change control requirements.
• Proactively identify supply-chain risks related to quality, lead time, capacity, or technical complexity and coordinate mitigation actions.

Engineering & Project Alignment

• Work in continuous alignment with Engineering and Project Management to understand technical requirements, design maturity, and schedule constraints.
• Support engineering changes, prototype phases, and industrialization activities to avoid supply-driven delays or quality deviations.
• Act as a coordination point between suppliers and technical teams to ensure clarity, feasibility, and execution accuracy.

Sourcing & Supplier Development

• Conduct market and supply-chain analyses with strong focus on supplier capability, certification status, and long-term reliability.
• Support supplier selection, qualification, and development for critical and safety-relevant components.
• Participate in negotiations with national and international suppliers, balancing cost, quality, lead time, and compliance.

Cost, Schedule & Process Optimization

• Drive cost optimization initiatives without compromising quality, certification, or delivery reliability.
• Support strategic sourcing and standardization projects aimed at strengthening supply-chain robustness.
• Continuously improve purchasing and supplier management processes in line with aerospace and defense best practices.

Required Qualifications

• Technical degree or vocational training in electronics, mechanics, aerospace, defense engineering, or a comparable technical discipline.
• Minimum of
  5 years of experience
  in technical purchasing, supplier quality, or supply chain roles within
  aerospace, defense, or similarly regulated industries
  .
• Strong ability to interpret technical drawings, specifications, and quality documentation.
• Experience working with ERP systems (SAP MM or equivalent) and standard office tools.
• Full professional proficiency in English; German proficiency required for internal and supplier communication.
• Strong quality mindset, high attention to detail, and structured problem-solving capability.
• Confident communicator with solid negotiation skills in technically complex and quality-critical environments.

Preferred Experience

• Direct exposure to aerospace and/or defense supply chains and certified supplier environments.
• Familiarity with industry quality standards, audits, and supplier compliance frameworks.
• Experience managing suppliers of safety-critical, high-reliability, or custom-designed components.
• Involvement in program-driven procurement with tight schedule constraints.
• Experience supporting supplier assessments, audits, or qualification processes.