Procurement Specialist I

About Us
Hartzell Propeller, founded in 1917 and headquartered in Piqua, Ohio, is the global leader in advanced aircraft propeller design and manufacturing for general aviation. The company supports piston-engine and turboprop aircraft while developing custom propulsion solutions for electric, hybrid-electric, and advanced air mobility applications. Hartzell has strategically expanded its product portfolio through the acquisitions of Tanis Aircraft Products in 2021, Reiff Preheat Systems in 2024, and WhirlWind Propellers in 2024, strengthening its presence in aircraft preheating and experimental aviation markets. The company has also significantly expanded its maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) capabilities through the acquisition of 11 facilities across North America and Europe, establishing Hartzell Global Services as a comprehensive network of aviation service centers.
About Signia Aerospace
Hartzell Propeller is part of Signia Aerospace. Signia Aerospace is built on decades of proven performance and partnership in the aircraft systems industry. The proven brands that operate under the Signia Aerospace ecosystem lead the field in thermal management and mission-specific equipment. They are the brands of choice for pilots, maintenance directors, ground crews, and supply chain professionals worldwide, in commercial, private, and military applications. Our depth of expertise and unique pool of resources allows us to act as an integrated, nimble partner in the design, manufacture, delivery, and service of highly specialized aircraft systems and components.
Our Culture
We are a team that prides ourselves on a culture that supports shared values of empowerment, accountability, drive, integrity, and respect. Our team shares a deep commitment to safety and collaboration. We offer a comprehensive benefits package to support your well-being and professional growth including medical, dental, vision, paid time off, life insurance, 401(K) plans with employer match, company provided Growth Participation Units (GPU) and so much more.
Our GPU benefit is unique to the industry and encourages all employees to think like owners and receive future financial reward for contributions to business growth.  Join our team to be part of a culture that encourages growth and development and celebrates our success.
Key Responsibilities:
Supports sourcing and procurement activities by gathering requirements, evaluating suppliers, issuing purchase orders, and monitoring supplier performance and delivery activities. Assists with procurement compliance, supplier communications, and sourcing support activities while developing knowledge of procurement processes, supply chain operations, and supplier management practices.
All roles at Signia are expected to support the company’s operating model (SOAR) and contribute to the organization’s business value drivers, Profitable New Business, Productivity, Precision M&A, and Value-Based Pricing, through operational excellence, continuous improvement, collaboration, and customer focus.

Requirements
Key Deliverables of the Position
· Place, maintain, expedite, defer, and follow up on purchase orders for assigned commodities, materials, and services in response to production and inventory requirements.
· Manage supplier relationships and performance to achieve quality, delivery, responsiveness, cost, and continuity-of-supply objectives.
· Negotiate pricing, terms, long-term agreements, and other commercial arrangements that optimize total value and stabilize supply.
· Evaluate supplier quotations, proposals, bids, capabilities, capacity, and risk to support sourcing and supplier-selection decisions.
· Monitor shortage reports, supplier commitments, and material availability; communicate risks promptly and coordinate recovery or expedited-shipment plans when needed.
· Resolve invoice discrepancies, supplier payment issues, non-conforming material, rework, and return-to-vendor activity in coordination with internal stakeholders.
· Implement engineering changes with suppliers and represent supplier capabilities and requirements during new product development activities.
· Support supplier audits, corrective actions, business reviews, development plans, and continuous-improvement initiatives.
· Maintain accurate purchasing records, system transactions, supplier metrics, Non-Disclosure Agreements, and required documentation.
· Identify and implement opportunities to reduce cost and waste, improve efficiency, and support inventory turns and working-capital targets.
· Ensure compliance with purchase order requirements, procurement policies, ethical standards, applicable regulations, and internal escalation processes.
· Travel to supplier locations as business needs require.

Education and Experience
· Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management, Business Administration, Operations Management, Engineering, Metallurgy, or a related field preferred.
· Three to five years of experience in procurement, purchasing, supply chain, manufacturing, or a related business discipline.
· Aerospace or other highly regulated industry experience is beneficial.
· CPSM, CPM, or an equivalent professional certification is a plus.

Technical Competencies
1) Strong negotiation, supplier relationship management, analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
2) Working knowledge of inventory management, forecasting, production planning, sourcing, and purchasing fundamentals.
3) Familiarity with supplier audits, corrective action, supplier development, and quality systems such as AS9100, ISO 9001, FAA Part 21, or equivalent standards.
4) Understanding of lean manufacturing, continuous improvement, and Six Sigma principles.
5) Experience using ERP/MRP systems such as SAP, Oracle, Epicor, LN, or a similar platform.
6) Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications, particularly Excel.
7) Ability to manage multiple priorities and projects with strong attention to detail, follow-through, and clear written and verbal communication.
8) Excellent Communication Skills – both verbal and written

Behavioral Competencies – Demonstrates behaviors consistent with our values
1) Thinks and acts like an owner
o Uses company resources wisely & cost-effectively
o Shows pride in the organization and a commitment to its long-term success
o Takes full responsibility for their actions
o Holds self to high standards of performance and integrity
2) Demonstrates high integrity
o Consistently acts with honestly, transparency and high ethics
o Makes decisions based on what is morally right
o Owns their actions and holds self-accountable
3) Puts team above self; in it together
o Prioritizes team and company over personal gain
o Collaborates with team members within the department and across all functions
Contributes to a positive, inclusive work environment
4) Innovates and improves
o Actively supports or initiates continuous improvement efforts
o Shares ideas and suggests solutions that enhance team or business performance
o Stays open to feedback and embraces changes
o Demonstrates a bias towards action
5) Honors commitments
o Consistently follows through on project timelines, meeting and deliverables
o Takes ownership for responsibilities and delivers results
o Makes and holds commitment
o Communicates proactively when challenges arise and adjusts plans to stay on track

Hartzell Propeller has a pre-employment and random Federal Drug & Alcohol Testing requirement and tests for marijuana, cocaine, opioids, amphetamines and phencyclidine in addition to alcohol.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veteran/Disability/E-Verify