Purchasing Manager

Valar Atomics • Torrance, CA

5d • Onsite

About The Position

About Valar Atomics At Valar Atomics, we're redefining what's possible in energy. Our mission is to make clean, high-temperature nuclear power scalable—unlocking abundant energy for industry, hydrogen, and next-generation manufacturing. We are a team of builders, engineers, and operators who believe nuclear energy should be fast to deploy, factory-made, and built for the real world. Our first pilot plant in Orangeville, Utah will demonstrate how advanced nuclear systems and fuel fabrication can power the future. Joining Valar Atomics means becoming part of a company where autonomy, ownership, and impact exist at every level. The Team As part of the Manufacturing organization, Supply Chain secures the materials, equipment, and supplier partnerships required to support manufacturing and business operations. The team builds resilient supply chains while ensuring quality, cost, and delivery performance. The Role Build and lead a high-impact purchasing team, overseeing Buyers and Senior Buyers across direct and indirect spend categories. Drive on-time, on-quality, on-cost PO placement and delivery across the full purchasing organization. Develop and enforce purchasing policies, processes, controls and systems that scale with Valar's production ramp. Partner cross-functionally with Engineering, Manufacturing, Quality, Finance, and Sourcing to align purchasing execution with business priorities.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain, Business, Engineering, or Operations.
• 8+ years of experience in purchasing or supply chain, including 3+ years leading a purchasing team.
• Experience managing both direct and indirect spend categories.
• Hands-on experience in an ERP/MRP-driven environment.
• Ability to operate in a fast-paced, highly regulated environment with a strong sense of urgency.
• Detail-oriented, results-driven, strong communicator, and team player.
• Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States as a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident (green card holder).

Nice To Haves

• Nuclear, aerospace, automotive or other highly regulated industry experience.
• Experience building or scaling a purchasing team from the ground up.
• APICS/CPIM certification.
• Start-up / fast-growth company experience a plus.

Responsibilities

• Manage and develop a team of Buyers and Senior Buyers, setting priorities, workload, and performance goals across direct and indirect categories.
• Own team-wide KPIs and drive corrective action where needed.
• Escalate and resolve complex supplier issues, schedule risks, and cross-functional roadblocks beyond buyer | Senior buyers scopes.
• Develop, standardize, and continuously improve purchasing processes, procedures, controls and systems across the team.
• Ensure purchasing activities comply with nuclear industry regulatory requirements (10 CFR 830) and maintain accurate, audit-ready purchasing records.
• Partner with Sourcing, Engineering, and Quality to align purchasing execution with supplier strategy and program milestones.
• Hire and onboard Purchasing talents.
• Build the purchasing capabilities and capacities as the purchasing team scales with production.
• Report purchasing performance, risks and risks mitigation plans to Supply Chain leadership.

Benefits

• Competitive base salary
• Equity ownership in a rapidly growing advanced energy company
• Comprehensive medical benefits
• Unlimited PTO
• Free daily lunch and dinner provided onsite
• Generous PPE stipend
• High-impact startup environment with significant ownership and autonomy
• Opportunities for rapid career growth and internal advancement
• Direct collaboration with experienced operators, engineers, and industry leaders
• The opportunity to help build and scale transformative energy technology from the ground up

What This Job Offers

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