Procurement Representative (Buyer)

Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory•Laurel, MD

7d•Onsite

About The Position

We are seeking a Procurement Representative (Buyer) to help solicit proposals, perform market research, negotiate pricing and terms, and award and administer commercial purchase orders for goods and services in support of APL programs. This role requires close collaboration with suppliers, program offices, and procurement leadership to ensure procurements are completed efficiently and in compliance with laboratory policies and procedures. Expediting deliveries, resolving order issues, and maintaining clear communication with stakeholders are essential aspects of this position. Our team operates in a highly dynamic environment, and we are always looking for individuals with strong analytical skills, sound judgment, and creative problem-solving abilities. You will independently manage procurement actions from requirements development through award and administration, developing appropriate sourcing and acquisition strategies, soliciting and evaluating proposals, performing price analysis, negotiating pricing and terms, and issuing commercial purchase orders and agreements. You will serve as a trusted procurement partner to technical staff and program teams, providing guidance on sourcing strategies, supplier selection, competition, agreement structure, and procurement approaches that balance program objectives, schedule, cost, risk, and compliance requirements. You will help develop and execute strategic sourcing and supplier management approaches for APL's build-to-print and custom manufacturing supplier base, including fabrication and machining, printed circuit boards and assemblies, cables and harnesses, and other specialized manufactured products. You will work closely with engineering, technical, quality, and other internal teams to understand current and future manufacturing requirements, identify supplier capability needs, evaluate potential supply-chain risks, and develop sourcing strategies that position APL to meet program needs. You will develop and lead competitive solicitations, evaluate supplier proposals, conduct price and cost analysis as appropriate, and lead negotiations involving pricing, delivery, terms and conditions, and other commercial considerations. You will prepare and maintain procurement documentation and electronic procurement files in accordance with applicable FAR requirements, APL policies and procedures, and established procurement practices.

Requirements

Have a Bachelor’s degree in Business, Supply Chain Management, Finance, or a related discipline, or equivalent combination of education and relevant work experience.
Have five or more years of progressively responsible professional experience in procurement or contracting, including responsibilities such as sourcing strategy, solicitation development, negotiation, contract formation, and supplier management.
Have demonstrated knowledge of procurement principles, including sourcing, negotiation, supplier management, and purchase order/contract administration.
Have strong organizational and time-management skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
Have excellent interpersonal and communication skills with the ability to collaborate effectively with internal stakeholders and suppliers.
Have an ability to work both independently and as part of a team while exercising sound judgment and attention to detail.
Have a demonstrated ability to analyze information, solve problems, and make informed procurement recommendations.
Hold US Citizenship or permanent resident status, as required to access APL’s facilities and networks, subject to applicable laws.

Nice To Haves

Experience with SharePoint (for document routing and storage), ServiceNow (as an intake and communication system), Adobe Portfolio, and/or Oracle-based business systems (EBSS)
Experience procuring commercial goods and services under the Federal Acquisition Regulations
Experience procuring custom-fabricated and build-to-print components, including custom machined parts, printed circuit boards, and other specialized manufactured products

Responsibilities

Independently manage procurement actions from requirements development through award and administration, developing appropriate sourcing and acquisition strategies, soliciting and evaluating proposals, performing price analysis, negotiating pricing and terms, and issuing commercial purchase orders and agreements.
Serve as a trusted procurement partner to technical staff and program teams, providing guidance on sourcing strategies, supplier selection, competition, agreement structure, and procurement approaches that balance program objectives, schedule, cost, risk, and compliance requirements.
Develop and execute strategic sourcing and supplier management approaches for APL's build-to-print and custom manufacturing supplier base, including fabrication and machining, printed circuit boards and assemblies, cables and harnesses, and other specialized manufactured products.
Work closely with engineering, technical, quality, and other internal teams to understand current and future manufacturing requirements, identify supplier capability needs, evaluate potential supply-chain risks, and develop sourcing strategies that position APL to meet program needs.
Develop and lead competitive solicitations, evaluate supplier proposals, conduct price and cost analysis as appropriate, and lead negotiations involving pricing, delivery, terms and conditions, and other commercial considerations.
Prepare and maintain procurement documentation and electronic procurement files in accordance with applicable FAR requirements, APL policies and procedures, and established procurement practices.