Purchasing Manager

Description Position Title: Purchasing Manager Department: Supply Chain Location: Santa Ana, CA FLSA Status: Exempt, Full- Time Clearance Type: Secret Clearance Required for start: No

About Us

Regal Technology Partners is a vertically integrated aerospace and defense manufacturing platform, purpose-built for the programs that demand precision, reliability, and compliance rigor. We design and manufacture mission-critical electronic communication systems for prime contractors, Tier 1 suppliers, and government customers operating in the most regulated corners of the defense industrial base.

What we offer our team:

• 4/10 work schedule
• Weekly pay
• 401(k) with company match of up to 4% of contributions
• Medical, dental, vision, pet insurance, and more
• $50,000 employer-paid life insurance policy
• 8 paid holidays, plus 1 additional floating holiday
• Generous paid time off (PTO)

Job Summary:

The Purchasing Manager leads the purchasing function and is accountable for the sourcing, negotiation, and procurement of all materials, components, and services that support manufacturing operations. This role sets purchasing strategy, policy, and performance goals, and directs a team of Senior Buyers, Buyers, and Junior Buyers to ensure materials arrive on time, at the right cost, and to required quality standards. The Purchasing Manager operates with a high degree of autonomy and exercises independent judgment on supplier selection, commercial terms, and departmental priorities. This position partners with Operations, Production Planning, Engineering, Quality, Finance, and the Proposals team to support customer requirements in an aerospace/defense EMS environment, while driving cost reduction, supply continuity, and compliance with customer and regulatory flow-down requirements.

Key Responsibilities:

Purchasing Strategy & Department Leadership

• Develop and execute purchasing strategies that support production schedules, customer programs, cost targets, and company growth.
• Establish, document, and enforce purchasing policies, procedures, approval levels, and best practices.
• Set departmental goals and KPIs (e.g., on-time delivery, purchase price variance, cost savings, inventory turns, supplier quality) and report results to senior leadership.
• Prepare and manage the purchasing department budget and contribute to annual material cost forecasts.

Strategic Sourcing & Supplier Management

• Oversee supplier selection, qualification, and approval in partnership with Quality, maintaining the Approved Supplier List.
• Lead negotiations for high-value, long-term, and strategic agreements, including pricing, payment terms, lead times, and blanket or consignment programs.
• Implement a supplier performance management program, including scorecards, business reviews, and corrective action follow-through.
• Build supplier diversification and risk mitigation plans for single-source, long-lead, obsolete, and allocation-constrained components.
• Serve as the escalation point for critical supplier delivery, quality, and commercial issues.

Cost Control & Financial Accountability

• Drive company-wide material cost reduction initiatives and track and report savings.
• Monitor market conditions, commodity trends, and tariffs to anticipate price changes and supply risks.
• Review and approve purchase orders within established authority limits.
• Partner with Finance on purchase price variance, accruals, and month-end reporting.

Inventory & Supply Planning

• Collaborate with Production Planning and Operations to align purchasing with MRP output and the master production schedule.
• Lead efforts to reduce shortages, expedites, and excess and obsolete inventory while maintaining service levels.
• Ensure accurate ERP/MRP data, including supplier records, lead times, pricing, and order policies.

Compliance & Contract Requirements

• Ensure purchasing activities comply with customer contract flow-downs, AS9100 quality system requirements, and applicable regulations (e.g., ITAR/EAR, DFARS, counterfeit parts prevention).
• Maintain purchasing documentation and records to support internal, customer, and registrar audits.
• Uphold ethical purchasing standards and conflict-of-interest guidelines across the team.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Partner with the Proposals team to support RFQ's and RFP's with accurate material costing and lead-time data.
• Work with Engineering on new product introductions, alternate parts, and material specification changes.
• Coordinate with Quality, Operations, and Program Management to resolve material issues affecting customer deliveries.

Continuous Improvement & Reporting

• Identify and implement process improvements, system enhancements, and automation within the purchasing function.
• Produce regular reports and dashboards on spend, supplier performance, savings, and department KPIs.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

The Purchasing Manager directly supervises the purchasing team, including Senior Buyers, Buyers, and Junior Buyers, and is responsible for:

• Interviewing, hiring, and onboarding purchasing staff, or making recommendations on hiring, promotion, and termination that are given significant weight.
• Assigning and prioritizing work, including commodity, supplier, and program assignments across the team.
• Training, coaching, and developing team members, including defining clear growth paths from Junior Buyer to Buyer to Senior Buyer.
• Conducting performance reviews, setting individual goals, and addressing performance or conduct issues in partnership with Human Resources.
• Approving timekeeping, overtime for non-exempt staff, and time-off requests.
• Ensuring the team follows company policies, purchasing procedures, and compliance requirements.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management, Business, Engineering, or related field (preferred); MBA or advanced degree a plus.
• Typically 5+ years of purchasing or supply chain experience in a manufacturing environment, including at least 2 years in a supervisory or management role.
• Experience in the aerospace/defense EMS environment strongly preferred.
• Working knowledge of AS9100, ITAR/EAR, DFARS, and customer flow-down requirements.
• Advanced experience with ERP/MRP systems and procurement processes.
• Demonstrated record of leading strategic supplier negotiations and delivering measurable cost savings.
• Professional certification (e.g., APICS/ASCM CPIM or CSCP, ISM CPSM) preferred.

Skills and Abilities:

• Proven leadership, coaching, and team development skills
• Expert negotiation and strategic supplier relationship management skills
• Strong financial acumen, including cost analysis, budgeting, and purchase price variance
• Ability to set priorities and make sound decisions in a fast-paced, schedule-driven environment
• Deep understanding of manufacturing supply chains, procurement strategy, and inventory management
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including presenting to senior leadership
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel and ERP systems; experience with reporting and analytics tools

Physical Requirements:

• Ability to sit for extended periods while working at a computer and using standard office equipment.
• Ability to occasionally stand, walk, and move between office and manufacturing areas.
• Ability to occasionally lift and carry items up to 15–20 pounds.
• Occasional travel to supplier sites may be required.

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This job description is intended to provide a clear overview of the primary duties and responsibilities for the Purchasing Manager position. It is not an exhaustive list, and other tasks may be required as needed to support the company’s operations.

Regal Technology Partners is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws. We strive to create an inclusive and diverse work environment where everyone is valued and respected.

If you require any accommodation during the application process or have any questions regarding our EEO policies, please contact Human Resources,?hr@regaltechnology.com