Jr. Buyer, Strategic Sourcing

Zone 5 Technologies • San Luis Obispo, CA

1d • Onsite

About The Position

Zone 5 Technologies is seeking a motivated and detail-oriented Junior Buyer – Strategic Sourcing to support procurement and supplier sourcing activities in a government defense contracting environment. This role focuses on executing day-to-day buying activities while supporting longer-term strategic sourcing initiatives under the guidance of senior buyers and supply chain leadership. The ideal candidate is early in their procurement career and eager to develop a strong foundation in government contracting compliance, supplier management, and cost analysis. This role works cross-functionally with engineering, quality, manufacturing, and program teams to ensure material availability while maintaining adherence to FAR/DFARS, ITAR, and internal sourcing policies.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management, Business, Operations, or a related field (or equivalent experience).
• 1–3 years of experience in procurement, buying, or supply chain operations.
• Basic understanding of government contracting environments and regulated supply chains.
• Familiarity with ERP/MRP systems (Unanet, SAP, Oracle, or similar).
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel and basic data analysis.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.

Nice To Haves

• Exposure to aerospace, defense, or other regulated manufacturing environments.
• Introductory knowledge of FAR/DFARS and ITAR requirements.
• Experience supporting Approved Vendor Lists (AVL) or supplier qualification activities.
• Internship or co-op experience in procurement or supply chain.
• Interest in developing skills in strategic sourcing, negotiations, and supplier management.
• APICS or ISM coursework or certification in progress.

Responsibilities

• Execute purchase orders for materials, components, and services using approved suppliers in accordance with procurement policies.
• Support strategic sourcing initiatives, including supplier evaluations, cost comparisons, and sourcing recommendations.
• Assist in maintaining and utilizing the Approved Vendor List (AVL) in compliance with government and internal requirements.
• Coordinate with senior buyers to support supplier negotiations and long-term sourcing strategies.
• Ensure purchase orders include appropriate technical, quality, and contractual flow-downs.
• Track supplier deliveries and follow up on open orders to support production schedules.
• Assist with supplier performance tracking, including on-time delivery and quality metrics.
• Support resolution of supplier issues, discrepancies, and nonconformances in coordination with quality and engineering.
• Maintain accurate procurement documentation and audit-ready records.
• Support ERP/MRP system transactions for purchasing, order tracking, and inventory visibility.
• Participate in cross-functional meetings to align sourcing activities with program and production needs.

Benefits

• Competitive total compensation package
• Comprehensive benefit package options include medical, dental, vision, life, and more.
• 401k with company-match
• 4 weeks of paid time off each year
• 12 annual company holidays

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level