Manufacturing Procurement Associate

The Procurement Manufacturing Engineer supports the Procurement & Planning function by applying strong manufacturing and supplier-quality fundamentals while assisting with select procurement execution activities. This role bridges the gap between tactical buying and procurement leadership by addressing supplier manufacturing risks, leading corrective actions, supporting delivery recovery, and contributing to purchasing activities as needed. The position is well suited for candidates with a solid manufacturing background who are looking to expand into supplier-facing and procurement-support responsibilities. Duties and Responsibilities Supplier Manufacturing & Quality Support ? Act as the primary technical interface with suppliers regarding manufacturing processes, inspection issues, scrap, and rework. ? Support supplier root-cause analysis and corrective/preventive action (CAPA) activities. ? Support supplier capability and risk assessments, including on-site and remote audits. ? Assess supplier manufacturing processes such as machining, heat treatment, coatings, inspection, and metrology. ? Support Quality and Engineering in resolving supplier nonconformances impacting delivery, cost, or compliance. ? Assist Procurement Lead with preparation of RFQ technical summaries. Procurement & Delivery Support ? Execute purchasing actions for technically complex or high-risk parts as assigned. ? Place and manage purchase orders as needed to support workload balance and business growth. ? Support expediting efforts by addressing underlying technical causes of delivery delays. ? Assist in supplier selection and sourcing decisions from both technical and procurement perspectives. ? Review supplier quotes for technical alignment with drawings and specifications. ? Provide technical input to pricing, inventory planning, and sourcing decisions. ? Support Buyer workload during peak demand or staffing constraints. Cross-Functional Collaboration & Continuous Improvement ? Serve as a technical bridge between Procurement, Quality, Engineering, Operations, and Planning. ? Provide manufacturing input to improve lead-time accuracy and delivery reliability. ? Resolve supplier technical issues at the working level to reduce executive escalation. ? Support supplier development, process improvement, and risk-reduction initiatives. ? Reinforce procurement standards, quality expectations, and supplier accountability. Qualifications Required (Must-Have Foundations) ? Demonstrated ability to read and interpret engineering drawings and blueprints (non-negotiable). ? Hands-on experience working with manufactured parts, suppliers, or production environments. ? Working knowledge of manufacturing processes such as machining, heat treatment, coatings, inspection, or related operations. ? Experience supporting supplier issue resolution, quality investigations, or corrective-action activities. ? Strong problem-solving skills with the ability to drive issues to resolution. ? Clear written and verbal communication skills with suppliers and internal stakeholders. ? Ability to work effectively across technical and non-technical teams. ? Working knowledge of ERP systems and Microsoft Office tools. ? Ability to travel as required. ? U.S. citizenship required. Preferred (Ideal, Not Required) ? Bachelor?s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, or a related technical field?or equivalent hands-on experience. ? Experience in AS9100 and/or ISO9001-regulated environments. ? Exposure to supplier audits, manufacturing capability assessments, or process-improvement initiatives. ? Experience working with procurement, supply-chain, or planning teams. ? Familiarity with lean manufacturing, Six Sigma, or continuous-improvement tools for more information resume to [email protected]