Buyer III - Supply Chain

Blue Origin•Space Coast, WA

About The Position

The Buyer III is part of Blue Origin Operations’ Supply Chain team and executes complex procurement activities while helping shape the supply base for current and future program needs. Working with senior buyers and commodity leads, the role extends beyond day-to-day purchasing to include pre-sourcing and supplier development, including identifying and assessing suppliers, supporting qualification, and helping establish the supply chain foundation for Blue Origin programs. The position supports safe, repeatable spaceflight and works across engineering, finance, and program teams.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Supply Chain Management, Engineering, or a related field, plus 5–8 years of procurement or supply chain experience; or a master's degree plus 3–5 years of experience.
Demonstrated experience leading complex negotiations and managing strategic supplier agreements.
Exposure to pre-sourcing, supplier qualification, or new supplier development activities.
Strong understanding of procurement contract types and risk allocation.
Deep knowledge of FAR/DFAR and SOX compliance, with the ability to interpret and apply requirements independently.
Excellent analytical skills, including the ability to build business cases, perform should-cost analysis, and present recommendations to leadership.
Strong cross-functional communication and influencing skills, with the ability to drive alignment across engineering, program, and finance stakeholders.
Proven ability to manage ambiguity, define processes, and scale solutions across a growing team.
Ability to earn trust, build positive professional relationships, and contribute to an inclusive team culture.
Must be a U.S. citizen or national, U.S. permanent resident, or lawfully admitted refugee or asylee.

Nice To Haves

CSCP, CPSM, or PMP certification.
Experience with new supplier qualification in an AS9100 or aerospace/defense environment.
Familiarity with commodity strategy development or supply base rationalization.
Current active DOD Secret Security Clearance and/or Special Access.
Experience in avionics or other complex manufactured commodities.

Responsibilities

Own the full procurement lifecycle for complex, high-value, or long-lead commodities, from early engagement through contract closeout.
Lead development and execution of Long-Term Agreements (LTAs), sourcing partnerships, and other strategic agreements with oversight from a senior buyer or commodity lead.
Develop and lead negotiation strategies for complex procurements and structure non-standard contract terms appropriate to program risk and business needs.
Support pre-sourcing for new or emerging requirements by conducting market research, issuing RFIs, identifying and assessing potential suppliers, and summarizing capability findings for review.
Participate in new supplier qualification by coordinating capability assessments, supporting first-article planning, and assisting with setup of qualified sources in internal systems.
Contribute to supply base strategy for assigned commodities, identify single-source risks, recommend mitigations, and flag supply base gaps to the commodity lead.
Support make/buy analysis and early supplier engagement for new programs or commodity expansions.
Ensure compliance with FAR/DFAR, SOX, and Blue Origin procurement standards, and maintain audit-ready records.
Serve as a cross-functional procurement point of contact for engineering, finance, and program teams on assigned commodities.
Mentor and support Buyer I and Buyer II team members, providing guidance on procurement processes, compliance, and supplier management.

Benefits

Medical, dental, and vision insurance.
Basic and supplemental life insurance.
Paid parental leave.
Short- and long-term disability.
401(k) with company match of up to 5%.
Education Support Program.
Stock options for regular employees working at least 20 hours per week.
Up to four weeks of paid time off per year based on weekly scheduled hours.
Up to 14 company-paid holidays.
Depending on role type and job level, potential eligibility for benefits and bonuses based on company discretion.