Aerospace & Defense OPT Jobs in Kansas

Overview:

This role is at Spirit AeroSystems, Inc. a wholly owned subsidiary of The Boeing Company, supporting Spirit’s Commercial Business Units (“Spirit Commercial”). Spirit Commercial designs and builds commercial aerostructures, including for Boeing Commercial Airplanes, one of Boeing’s three business units and the premier manufacturer of commercial jetliners for decades. Spirit Commercial’s core products include fuselages, pylons, nacelles and wing components, with a focus on innovative composite and aluminum manufacturing solutions.

About the Team:

The Purchasing Team is responsible for procuring metallic and non-metallic parts that support Boeing’s manufacturing operations. The team manages supplier contracts and agreements with global suppliers and supports key stages of the purchased component lifecycle, including requirements identification, sourcing, order placement, and receipt/delivery. Procurement Agents work closely with internal teams and suppliers to help ensure materials are available to support production needs.

Location: Wichita, Kansas (Onsite)

Position Responsibilities:

In this role, you'll play a critical role in ensuring materials and services are available when and where they are needed to support manufacturing operations. Working alongside experienced procurement and supply chain professionals, you'll gain hands-on experience managing supplier relationships, analyzing data, negotiating purchases, and driving operational efficiency across the supply chain.

Key Responsibilities:

• Partner with internal teams and suppliers to ensure materials and services are delivered on time and meet quality requirements.
• Support sourcing, supplier selection, purchase order management, and contract administration activities.
• Prepare RFQs/RFPs, evaluate supplier proposals, and assist with supplier negotiations.
• Monitor supplier performance and help resolve delivery, quality, and service issues.
• Analyze inventory, demand forecasts, and material requirements to support production needs.
• Use data and reporting tools to identify trends and drive process improvements.
• Collaborate with Manufacturing, Engineering, Quality, Finance, and Supply Chain teams to achieve business objectives.
• Contribute to continuous improvement initiatives that enhance efficiency, reduce costs, and strengthen supplier performance.

Basic Qualifications (Required Skills/Experience):

• 0–2 years of professional experience, internship experience, or relevant academic project work
• Strong desire to learn and grow within procurement, supply chain, or aerospace manufacturing
• High-energy, self-motivated individual with a proactive approach to problem-solving
• Strong analytical and organizational skills with attention to detail
• Effective verbal and written communication skills
• Ability to work collaboratively in a fast-paced, team-oriented environment
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications, including Excel, Word, and PowerPoint
• Comfortable working with data, reports, and business systems

Preferred Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Business, Finance, Operations Management, or a related field
• Internship, co-op, or coursework related to procurement, supply chain, manufacturing, or operations
• Knowledge of manufacturing environments and production processes
• Experience using ERP/MRP systems such as SAP
• Advanced Excel skills, including data analysis and reporting

Union:

This is a union-represented position.

Drug Free Workplace:

We are a Drug Free Workplace where post offer applicants and employees are subject to testing for marijuana, cocaine, opioids, amphetamines, PCP, and alcohol when criteria is met as outlined in our policies.

Pay & Benefits:

We strive to deliver a Total Rewards package that will attract, engage and retain the top talent. Elements of the Total Rewards package include competitive base pay and variable compensation opportunities.

We also provide eligible employees with an opportunity to enroll in a variety of benefit programs, generally including health insurance, flexible spending accounts, health savings accounts, retirement savings plans, life and disability insurance programs, and a number of programs that provide for both paid and unpaid time away from work.

The specific programs and options available to any given employee may vary depending on eligibility factors such as geographic location, date of hire, and the applicability of collective bargaining agreements.

Pay is based upon candidate experience and qualifications, as well as market and business considerations.

Summary Pay Range – Entry Level (Level 1): $45,700 - $70,100

Kansas Tax Credit: Join Spirit AeroSystems’ Kansas team and you may be eligible for a $5,000 state of Kansas Aviation tax credit for up to five years. Click here for more information on the tax credit.