Location: Auburn, Washington
Type: Non-Exempt
Work Schedule: Full-Time, Monday - Friday
Compensation: $36.00 - $43.27 per hour
Benefits: Tessera is proud to offer a comprehensive compensation and benefits package to our eligible part-time and full-time Manufacturing employees.
Medical, Dental, Vision, Life & Short-Term Disability Insurance
Elective 401(k) retirement plan, Tessera will match 0.5% for every 1% up to 6% after 90-days of employment . Funds are subject to vesting.
Flexible Spending Accounts for both medical and dependent care
11 paid holidays, accrual of 10 paid days of vacation at the start of employment, paid sick leave
Potential shared earning bonus
Tuition assistance is available after 1 year of employment and potential scholarships for qualified dependents
Professional development, certifications, and training opportunities
Verizon wireless discount
Employee Assistance Program (EAP), and an engaging wellness program
Public Service Loan Forgiveness eligibility for full-time employees
Tessera is dedicated to "Creating Opportunities for People with Disabilities" by hiring and supporting individuals with disabilities as well as veterans with disabilities. We take pride in our purpose-driven culture, our core values - Inclusion, Partnerships, Integrity - and our commitment to providing a safe and respectful work environment to our employees.
Tessera is seeking an experienced Aerospace Purchasing Buyer to join our growing Manufacturing team in Auburn, Washington. The Purchasing Buyer plays a critical role in maintaining production flow by ensuring the right material or service is purchased from the right supplier, at the right cost, with the right quality, and delivered when required to meet customer commitments.
The Purchasing Buyer is responsible for sourcing, purchasing, and managing materials, components, supplies, and outside services. This position works closely with Production Control, Engineering, Quality, Estimating, Contracts, and Operations to ensure materials and services are available on time, at competitive cost, and in compliance with customer and aerospace requirements.
Typical duties include but are not limited to:
Review material and hardware requirements, purchase requisitions, MRP/ERP requirements, and production schedules to determine purchasing needs.
Prepare and issue purchase orders to approved suppliers.
Source materials, components, tooling, supplies, and outside processing services.
Obtain and evaluate supplier quotations based on price, quality, lead time, capacity, and delivery requirements.
Negotiate pricing, delivery dates, terms, and other commercial requirements within established authority.
Monitor open purchase orders and proactively communicate potential shortages, delays, and schedule risks.
Expedite critical materials and outside services to support customer and production commitments.
Maintain accurate purchase order information, including quantities, pricing, due dates, revisions, and supplier commitments.
Develop and maintain strong relationships with qualified and approved suppliers.
Support supplier selection and qualification activities in coordination with Quality and Operations.
Ensure purchases comply with customer requirements, approved supplier lists, specifications, and applicable aerospace standards.
Coordinate with Quality regarding certifications, material traceability, inspection requirements, and supplier documentation.
Review supplier performance and assist in resolving quality, delivery, pricing, and documentation issues.
Support cost-reduction and supplier-improvement initiatives.
Identify opportunities to reduce lead times, improve purchasing terms, and mitigate supply-chain risk.
Maintain appropriate documentation and purchasing records for traceability and audit requirements.
Assist with long-term purchasing agreements and strategic sourcing initiatives.
Support inventory objectives by balancing material availability with excess and obsolete inventory risks.
Communicate effectively with internal departments regarding material status and supplier commitments.
Follow company quality procedures and purchasing controls.
Ensure purchased products and services meet applicable customer, engineering, quality, and regulatory requirements.
Understand and follow requirements related to counterfeit-part prevention and material traceability.
Support compliance with applicable aerospace quality standards and customer flow-down requirements.
Participate in supplier corrective actions and resolution of nonconforming material when required.
Purchase product IAW customer requirement flow down (i.e. D1-4426, Customer QPL, Customer specifications, etc.)
Perform other purchasing and supply-chain duties as assigned.
All Other Duties as Assigned.
Key Performance Indicators:
Purchase orders placed on time
Supplier on-time delivery performance
Material availability to support production schedules
Purchase price variance/cost savings
Supplier lead-time performance
Past-due purchase orders
Expedite activity and schedule recovery
Supplier quality performance
Purchase order accuracy
Inventory levels and material shortages
Core Competencies:
Communication: Communicates clearly and proactively with suppliers and internal departments.
Negotiation: Obtains competitive pricing and favorable delivery and commercial terms.
Accountability: Owns purchasing commitments and follows issues through to resolution.
Problem Solving: Quickly identifies supply-chain risks and develops practical solutions.
Organization: Effectively manages multiple suppliers, purchase orders, priorities, and deadlines.
Attention to Detail: Maintains accurate purchasing and supplier documentation.
Teamwork: Partners effectively with Production Control, Quality, Engineering, Operations, and Sales.
Qualifications:
High School Diploma/GED is required
5 - 8 years of previous experience in Purchasing, Procurement, or Buying experience is required
Previous experience in Aerospace is required.
Previous Purchasing experience in Aerospace, Manufacturing or defense-industry is preferred.
Experience purchasing raw materials, machined components, sheet metal, outside processing, plating, heat treating, coatings, and other aerospace services is preferred.
Experience with supplier performance management and expediting is preferred.
Must have strong working knowledge in an ERP/MRP system.
Must have strong understanding of purchase orders, supplier lead times, material requirements, and inventory management.
Strong negotiation, communication, organization, and problem-solving skills is preferred.
Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.
Must have strong attention to detail and follow-through.
Must be proficient with Microsoft Office, particularly Excel and Outlook.
Must be familiar with AS9100 and aerospace supplier requirements.
Physical Requirements:
Employees must have the ability to perform the following physical demands for extended periods of time with or without assistance. The physical demands of this position may be reasonably accommodated for individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions on a case-by-case basis.
Must be able to lift and/or move up to 15 pounds.
May be required to reach, kneel, walk, stand, and use repetitive motion for several hours at a time based on position duties.
Work may require repetitive motion, reaching, lifting, kneeling, and walking. Standing or sitting for several hours at a time, climbing in and out of a vehicle, and up and down stairs may also be required.
Must have the perseverance to work effectively under pressure for extended periods of time.
Requirements:
A valid state driver's license is preferred with the ability to obtain and maintain coverage by Tessera's insurance.
Access to a federal military installation requires a REAL ID-compliant driver's license or an acceptable alternative, such as a U.S. passport or military ID, in accordance with the REAL ID Act. Please visit this website for more information: https://www.dhs.gov/real-id.
Must be able to obtain and maintain applicable security clearances and installation access. A background check and E-Verify will be conducted for this position.
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Date Posted: 08/17/2026
Please visit this website for more information: https://www.dhs.gov/real-id .
To Apply: Visit our website at www.tessera.org (http://www.skookum.org/) to complete an application.
Current Employees: need to log into their Workday to apply through the Jobs Hub. Please reach out to your Recruiter if you need assistance.
Tessera is a national non-profit, government contractor that is dedicated to "Creating Opportunities for People with Disabilities" through hiring and supporting individuals with disabilities and veterans with disabilities. We take pride in our mission-focused culture, our Core Values, Diversity, Partnership, Commitment, Integrity, and Quality, and our dedication to providing a safe and respectful work environment to our employees.
Individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply.
Tessera is here to help you with the recruitment process.
If you require an accommodation or support, please contact us at
(360) 475-0756 ext. 349, or email recruiting@tessera.org (recruiting@skookum.org) .
Tessera is an Equal Opportunity Employer - Women/Minority/Veteran/Disabled - Tessera participates in E-Verify
Please submit a resume if you do not currently see an opportunity but are interested in working for Tessera.
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Tessera is committed to creating opportunities for people with disabilities, a purpose that drives everything we do. As a trusted provider in facility management, manufacturing, and vehicle maintenance, we focus on investing in our people to deliver exceptional results for our customers.
Our customers rely on Tessera to consistently provide high-quality products and services, enabling them to achieve their goals. We fulfill our purpose when our customers meet theirs.
At Tessera, we prioritize leadership development and are dedicated to specialized recruitment, career advancement, and job training. As a national leader in Disability and Veteran recruitment, hiring, and retention, Tessera continues to empower individuals and drive success across industries.
At Tessera, we offer competitive wages and benefits, along with opportunities for professional growth. Working here is more than just a job; it's a meaningful career that enables you to make a positive impact every day. We currently support over 1,700 employees across 13 states and Washington, D.C., and continue to expand nationwide.
