Job Summary
We are a growing aviation parts distributor supporting general aviation customers worldwide through three warehouse locations across the United States. Our team is committed to supplying quality aircraft parts quickly and accurately.
We are seeking a full-time Purchasing Agent to join our Purchasing Department at our Mesa, Arizona office. This is an on-site, Monday-through-Friday role for a driven and detail-oriented professional who enjoys a fast-paced environment. You will manage a high volume of purchase orders, source aircraft parts, obtain and negotiate supplier quotes, and ensure orders are processed accurately and delivered on time.
The ideal candidate is detail-oriented, self-motivated, and comfortable working closely with both suppliers and internal departments. Success in this role requires consistent follow-up, good decision-making, and the ability to effectively manage a busy daily purchasing workload.
Key Responsibilities
- Oversee the full purchasing process from identifying suppliers through final delivery, including vendor selection, price negotiations, purchase-order placement, and shipment follow-up, while staying within budget and meeting required timelines.
- Request, compare, and analyze vendor quotes for aircraft-part requests. Negotiate pricing, lead times, shipping terms, and availability.
- Process accurate purchase orders, verifying part numbers, quantities, conditions, pricing, required certifications, and vendor acknowledgments.
- Expedite orders, manage backorders, and communicate delays to internal teams.
- Support urgent AOG (Aircraft On The Ground) requirements by locating available material, arranging expedited freight, and monitoring delivery through completion.
- Build and manage strong vendor partnerships to confirm product availability, negotiate competitive pricing, address receiving issues, and support proper inventory levels.
- Work closely with internal teams to resolve order, pricing, documentation, and delivery issues.
Technical and Professional Skills
- Exceptional data entry precision and attention to detail is essential for managing aviation part numbers and inventory records.
- Experience in using ERP platforms; training will be provided on our in-house SMART system for purchasing, inventory management, purchase order processing, and order tracking.
- Strong proficiency with Microsoft Excel, Outlook, and Teams.
- Professional written, verbal, telephone, and vendor-communication skills.
- Strong negotiation skills, particularly over the phone and by email.
- Ability to prioritize multiple assignments, meet deadlines, and follow up consistently on open orders.
- Familiarity with aviation parts, part numbers, certifications, supplier documentation, and freight coordination is a plus
Qualifications
- Minimum of 2+ years of professional experience in business, purchasing, procurement, supply chain, inventory or a related field.
- A driven, dependable, and well-organized professional who can manage priorities independently in a high-volume environment.
Desired Qualifications
- Prior exposure to aviation, aerospace, aircraft components, MRO operations, OEMs, or distribution
- Bachelor’s Degree in Supply Chain Management or similar
- Demonstrated leadership of multi-discipline teams
Benefits and Compensation
- Competitive hourly pay $22–$25 per hour, based on experience and qualifications
- 100% company-paid medical, dental, and vision insurance
- 401(k) retirement plan with company matching contributions
- (PTO) Paid Time Off
- 6 Paid Holidays
At Southern Cross Aviation, we are committed to Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability veteran status, or any other protected characteristic under applicable law.
As a part of a global team we treat each other with mutual respect and dignity. Valuing our people’s depth of knowledge and capabilities from different backgrounds and experience shapes our global culture and allows us to serve our clients in the best ways possible.