Procurement Specialist/Buyer

Procurement Specialist / Buyer
Location: Philadelphia, PA (On-site) 

Position Summary

The Procurement Specialist / Buyer is responsible for the purchasing of materials, components, and services required to support the construction of naval support vessels (such as Landing Ship Medium / LSM-class ships). This role supports a hybrid commercial and Navy shipbuilding environment under a Vessel Construction Manager (VCM) model, balancing commercial procurement speed and efficiency with applicable Navy, DFARS, and quality requirements for objective quality evidence and material traceability.

Key Responsibilities

• Execute the full procurement cycle for materials supporting naval support ship construction, including requisition processing, solicitation, negotiation, purchase order placement, and closeout.
• Source steel, long-lead equipment, piping, electrical components, coatings, and other shipbuilding materials using commercial practices while incorporating selected military-spec equivalents and Navy-acceptable sources.
• Manage vendor qualification, performance, and relationships for mixed commercial and Navy-acceptable suppliers.
• Support material planning tightly linked to the production schedule, including time-phased requirements and just-in-time delivery while protecting material accountability and traceability.
• Ensure purchasing processes comply with applicable DFARS flow-downs, Navy requirements, and commercial terms under the VCM subcontract structure.
• Coordinate incoming inspection support and generation of Navy-required objective quality evidence for purchased materials.
• Perform cost analysis, price reasonableness determinations, and should-cost reviews to support negotiations and required reporting.
• Manage subcontractors and lower-tier suppliers under VCM oversight, including flow-down of quality, delivery, and compliance requirements.
• Maintain accurate procurement records, purchase order documentation, and material status tracking systems.
• Support trade compliance and international content controls as applicable to the supply chain.
• Collaborate with Engineering, Production, Quality, and Program Management teams to resolve material issues, expedite deliveries, and minimize production impacts.

Required Qualifications

• Minimum 3–5 years of experience in procurement / purchasing of materials for shipbuilding, heavy industrial, or marine construction environments.
• Demonstrated experience purchasing materials to support construction of naval or commercial vessels, including steel, mechanical, electrical, and outfitting items.
• Working knowledge of commercial purchasing practices combined with awareness of Navy shipbuilding requirements, material traceability, and objective quality evidence.
• Familiarity with DFARS clauses, specialty metals requirements, and government flow-down provisions commonly applied in Navy shipbuilding programs.
• Strong negotiation, vendor management, and cost analysis skills.
• Proficiency with ERP / MRP systems and procurement software.
• Excellent communication, organizational, and problem-solving skills with the ability to work in a fast-paced production environment.

Preferred Qualifications

• Prior experience supporting Vessel Construction Manager (VCM) or hybrid commercial/Navy acquisition programs.
• Knowledge of NSI 009-04 / ISO 9001 quality system requirements as they apply to purchased materials.
• Experience with material management systems that support time-phased requirements and production schedule linkage.
• Familiarity with classification society (ABS/USCG) material requirements for commercial vessels adapted for naval support ship service.
• CPSM, CPPB, or other procurement certification preferred.

Working Conditions

This position is based at the shipyard and involves a combination of office work and coordination with production, quality, and engineering teams. Occasional travel to vendor facilities may be required. The role operates in a dynamic environment supporting active ship construction schedules for naval support vessels.

Hanwha Defense USA is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, age, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, disability, veteran status, or any other protected characteristic.