Job Title: Director of Purchasing
Job Description
This Director of Purchasing role leads a large, specialized procurement organization responsible for procuring materials, parts, components, services, and equipment in a complex aerospace and defense environment. The director oversees buyers and subcontract administrators, manages a significant purchasing and subcontracts portfolio, and ensures that procurement activities meet cost, schedule, and performance objectives. This position shapes procurement policies and procedures, drives compliance with applicable regulations, and partners closely with engineering, manufacturing, program management, and senior leadership to support both strategic initiatives and day-to-day operational needs.
Responsibilities
Direct the end-to-end process of procuring materials, parts, components, services, and equipment to support complex aerospace and defense programs.
Lead and manage a large procurement organization, including buyers, subcontract administrators, and subordinate managers, ensuring alignment with business objectives.
Review and approve complex, high-value purchase orders, agreements, and subcontracts, ensuring accuracy, compliance, and alignment with contractual and regulatory requirements.
Negotiate and award purchase orders and subcontracts on behalf of the organization, securing favorable terms and mitigating commercial and contractual risk.
Establish, implement, and enforce purchasing policies and procedures in accordance with acquisition, export, and other applicable regulations, internal policies, and contractual obligations.
Assign tasks, review work, and provide clear direction to staff while ensuring purchasing processes and milestones are met within established timelines.
Direct proposal support efforts by obtaining subcontractor and supplier quotes and proposals, including cost and pricing data when required.
Analyze and negotiate subcontractor and supplier pricing and provide accurate, timely pricing inputs to proposal and pricing departments.
Manage and monitor production schedules by assisting in planning activities and overseeing procurement actions to ensure material availability and schedule adherence.
Direct the facilitation of pre-award surveys and supplier evaluations to assess supplier capability, capacity, and compliance.
Oversee internal and external audits related to purchasing and subcontracts, including government and customer audits, and ensure timely resolution of findings.
Serve as the primary point of contact for purchasing activities and issues, representing the organization with customers, potential customers, and suppliers.
Stay current on best practices in supply chain and materials management and drive continuous improvement initiatives within the procurement function.
Lead workforce planning, attraction, selection, retention, and development efforts to ensure the organization maintains strong management and professional procurement talent.
Maintain strict confidentiality of sensitive and proprietary information and ensure appropriate handling of all contractual and commercial data.
Ensure all applicable laws, regulations, and obligations are observed in all procurement activities conducted on behalf of the organization.
Promote and enforce a strong safety culture, ensuring work is accomplished in a safe manner and in accordance with established operating procedures and practices.
Provide clear, concise briefings and updates to internal stakeholders and leadership on procurement strategy, risks, and performance.
Drive alignment between procurement strategy and broader business objectives, operating effectively at both the strategic and tactical levels.
Perform other related duties as assigned or required to support organizational goals.
Essential Skills
Bachelor's degree in business administration or a related discipline, or equivalent experience in lieu of a degree.
Typically 15 or more years of progressive experience interpreting, awarding, and administering complex contractual agreements, with at least 9 years managing purchasing processes and personnel.
Demonstrated experience in supply chain management and purchasing concepts, principles, and standard practices.
Extensive knowledge of contract construction, Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR), FAR supplements, and the Uniform Commercial Code (UCC).
Aerospace and defense industry experience, including work within Department of Defense and government contracting environments, as well as commercial procurement.
Balanced background in both contracts management and procurement/purchasing, with demonstrated ability to manage both disciplines effectively.
Proven leadership experience managing large-scale teams, including multiple direct reports and a sizable indirect staff in a complex, commodity-based structure.
Detailed experience negotiating extremely complex purchases and subcontracts, including terms, conditions, and pricing.
Strong capability to coordinate inter-organizational activities and collaborate cross-functionally with engineering, manufacturing, program management, and other internal stakeholders.
Ability to document, investigate, advise, interpret, and explain complex issues or technical information to internal staff at all levels and to external customers and suppliers.
Comprehensive understanding of materials requirements planning and its integration with procurement and production schedules.
Experience supporting proposal efforts, including obtaining subcontractor pricing, performing cost and price analysis, and providing pricing inputs to proposal teams.
Experience owning supplier strategy, including pre-award surveys, supplier evaluations, and oversight of supplier-related audits.
Proven ability to operate effectively at both strategic and execution levels, driving policy development, process improvement, and day-to-day procurement operations.
Demonstrated ability to lead in a fast-paced, operationally complex environment while maintaining high standards of quality, compliance, and performance.
Strong communication, negotiation, and presentation skills, including the ability to conduct briefings for leadership and external stakeholders.
Stable tenure and a track record of long-term contributions in prior roles, reflecting sustained performance and commitment.
Additional Skills & Qualifications
Experience in aerospace and defense procurement and contracts management, including familiarity with defense-related acquisition processes and requirements.
Knowledge of Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS) and related defense contracting requirements.
Hands-on experience with purchasing, procurement, contracts management, supplier negotiations, purchase order management, supplier audits, and proposal support.
Exposure to multiple commodities and categories of spend, with the ability to oversee a broad, specialized commodity-based team.
Experience leading or contributing to supplier strategy development, including risk management, performance monitoring, and continuous improvement initiatives.
Ability to balance strategic planning with hands-on operational leadership, including oversight of day-to-day transactions, contract approvals, and supplier negotiations.
Strong cross-functional collaboration skills, with a history of partnering closely with engineering, manufacturing, and program management functions.
Comfort working in high-visibility roles that interact frequently with executive leadership and external customers.
Interest in long-term stability and growth within a high-technology aerospace and defense organization.
Openness to stepping into a director-level role from a manager or level 4 leadership position, where there is clear potential and capacity to grow into full director responsibilities.
Work Environment
This position is based onsite in Rancho Bernardo, CA, within a fast-paced, operationally complex aerospace and defense environment. The Director of Purchasing leads a large, commodity-organized procurement team consisting of 7 direct reports and 46 indirect reports, supporting a broad portfolio of purchasing and subcontracts. The role is highly visible and involves frequent interaction with engineering, manufacturing, program management, and executive leadership. The environment requires a leader who can operate at the intersection of strategy and execution, staying closely connected to day-to-day procurement activities while driving long-term process, policy, and organizational improvements. The position is a backfill for a retiring employee, and the director will inherit an established team and existing processes while being empowered to refine and enhance them over time.
Job Type & Location
This is a Permanent position based out of San Diego, CA.
Pay and Benefits
The pay range for this position is $125000.00 - $290000.00/yr.
Relocation assistance provided
Workplace Type
This is a fully onsite position in San Diego,CA.
Application Deadline
This position is anticipated to close on Jun 30, 2026.
About Aston Carter
Aston Carter provides world-class corporate talent solutions to thousands of clients across the globe. Specialized in accounting, finance, human resources, talent acquisition, procurement, supply chain and select administrative professions, we extend the capabilities of industry-leading companies. We draw on our deep recruiting expertise and expansive network to meet the evolving needs of our clients and talent community with agility and excellence. With offices across the U.S., Canada, Asia Pacific and Europe, Aston Carter serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing® Platinum Award winner for both client and talent service.
The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.
If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability, please email astoncarteraccommodation@astoncarter.com (%20astoncarteraccommodation@astoncarter.com) for other accommodation options.
San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.
Massachusetts Lie Detector: It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.
Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI): We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.
