Senior Buyer / Senior Commodity Buyer - Procurement Specialist
About The Position
The Senior Buyer/Planner plans material requirements, expedites orders, resolves raw material and component issues with suppliers, and manages inventory levels. The role includes supplier negotiation, pricing analysis, and cross-functional coordination to ensure timely material availability and cost-effective procurement. It addresses problems of diverse scope using data analysis and creative problem-solving to develop and implement effective solutions. The position supports procurement for aerospace, defense, and advanced medical technology manufacturing. It involves coordinating material flow, monitoring supplier performance, maintaining compliant purchasing records, and documenting procurement activities under applicable U.S. Government regulations, including FAR/DFAR, as required. The role may involve access to information subject to U.S. export control laws (ITAR/EAR); eligibility to access controlled information may require U.S. government authorization. For security-clearance work, candidates must be U.S. citizens and able to obtain a DoD security clearance as required; an existing clearance is a plus.
Requirements
- 5+ years of purchasing or procurement experience.
- Experience sourcing electronic components, hardware, or other technical commodities.
- Supplier negotiation experience, including pricing, terms, lead times, and delivery commitments.
- Experience identifying, qualifying, and developing alternate suppliers.
- Ability to interpret technical specifications, component documentation, and engineering requirements.
- Experience with ERP/MRP systems, purchase orders, supplier performance metrics, and procurement data.
- FAR/DFARS experience.
- Applicants must be able to comply with applicable export control requirements.
- For security-clearance work, the candidate must be a U.S. citizen and able to obtain a U.S. Department of Defense security clearance as required.
Nice To Haves
- Bachelor’s degree in business, Electrical Engineering, or Mechanical Engineering, or equivalent experience.
- Purchasing or procurement experience in electronics, aerospace, defense, or complex manufacturing.
- Schematic-reading experience if genuinely needed.
- An existing security clearance.
Responsibilities
- Determine material requirements from purchase requisitions and schedules and maintain inventory at optimal levels.
- Plan, schedule, and monitor material flow throughout the procurement lifecycle.
- Expedite orders and communicate material shortages or issues to relevant personnel.
- Evaluate supplier performance and develop alternate sources when needed.
- Conduct supplier qualification audits through site visits, interviews, and documentation review.
- Negotiate purchase-order pricing, terms, and conditions with suppliers; issue and modify purchase orders.
- Track and report monthly supplier performance metrics for major suppliers.
- Maintain and execute inventory reduction plans and meet established inventory dollar targets.
- Represent the materials/purchasing function in planning and cross-functional meetings.
- Maintain accurate purchasing files in compliance with accounting and legal standards.
- Document procurement activities in accordance with applicable U.S. Government regulations (FAR/DFAR), as required.
- Perform additional assigned tasks and projects.
Benefits
- Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage.
- Generous 401(k) match.
- Commuter benefits within Stanford Research Park.
- Complimentary EV charging.
- Paid time off and holidays.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Senior
