Senior Buyer

Axiom Space•Houston, TX

11d•Onsite

About The Position

Axiom Space is a human space exploration company, building era-defining space infrastructure and delivering technology-driven solutions that will empower civilization to transcend Earth. Beginning with Axiom Station, successor to the International Space Station, the company is pioneering a next-generation orbital settlement that will foster groundbreaking innovation and research in microgravity and drive the global space economy of tomorrow. Today, guided by the vision of leading humanity's expansion off planet, Axiom Space is the principal provider of commercial human spaceflight services and developer of advanced spacesuits for the Moon and beyond. Axiom Space fosters a work environment inclusive of all perspectives. We are the pioneers of commercial space, leading the transformation of low-Earth orbit into a global space marketplace. Our mission-driven team is seeking a bold and dynamic Senior Buyer who is fueled by high accountability, execution horsepower, and driven to understand our world, science/technology, and life itself, for the benefit of all on Earth and beyond. POSITION SUMMARY Since Axiom Space is a very complex work environment, we are looking for a resilient, high-energy Senior Buyer who thrives in a fast-paced, dynamic setting. The Senior Buyer is a seasoned procurement professional responsible for managing the full procurement lifecycle for complex, high-value, and technically demanding purchases of materials, equipment, and services in support of organizational programs and operations. The Senior Buyer serves as a subject matter expert within the Procurement team, providing guidance to junior buyers, leading negotiations with strategic suppliers, and ensuring all procurement activities are executed in full compliance with applicable regulations, policies, and contractual requirements. This role requires a high degree of independent judgment, cross-functional collaboration, and the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced, program-driven environment.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in supply chain management, Business Administration, Finance, Engineering, or a related field required
8 to 12 years of purchasing, procurement or supply chain experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience
Demonstrated experience managing complex subcontracts and purchase orders with values exceeding $1M
Proven experience with FAR and DFARS compliant procurement in a government contracting environment
Experience with ERP systems — Costpoint, SAP, Deltek, or equivalent required
Demonstrated experience conducting price and cost analysis, and competitive source selection
Demonstrated ability to operate effectively in a high-tempo, ambiguous, and evolving environment
Strong organizational and analytical skills with attention to detail and follow-through
Effective written and verbal communication skills
Contributes positively to team culture, especially during high-demand periods
Uses good judgement to problem-solve proactively, positively impacting hard challenges
Demonstrated organization skills to meet tight deadlines with high quality results
Passion for space and the mission
Entrepreneurial, growth mindset
High EQ and ability to collaborate within teams and cross-functionally
Tech-solutioning in using systems and tools to move smarter and faster
Embody our core values of leadership, innovation, and teamwork.
Accountability
Technical Rigor
Execution Discipline
Pride of Delivery

Responsibilities

Execute the full procurement lifecycle from pre-procurement planning through contract closeout for complex, high-value, and technically sensitive purchases including materials, equipment, services, and subcontracts
Develop, issue, and manage competitive solicitations including Requests for Quotation (RFQ), Requests for Proposal (RFP), and Invitations for Bid (IFB) in accordance with organizational policy and applicable regulations
Conduct thorough price and cost analysis to establish fair and reasonable pricing prior to award including market research, and competitive benchmarking
Negotiate terms, conditions, pricing, delivery, and performance requirements with suppliers and subcontractors to achieve best value outcomes for the organization
Draft, review, and administer purchase orders, blanket purchase orders, and subcontracts including all required terms, conditions, quality clauses, and regulatory flow-downs
Manage supplier and subcontractor performance throughout the period of performance including milestone tracking, delivery monitoring, invoice review, and issue resolution
Process purchase order modifications, amendments, and change orders in a timely and accurate manner
Coordinate subcontract closeout activities including final invoice reconciliation, deliverable acceptance confirmation, and file documentation
Identify and escalate compliance concerns, conflicts of interest, or potential ethics violations to Procurement leadership
Ensure all suppliers providing classed materials or services are verified on the Approved Supplier List prior to award in coordination with Procurement Quality
Conduct and document Non-Disclosure Agreement verification prior to release of any proprietary technical data or drawings to suppliers
Partner with Engineering, Program Management, Finance, Contracts, Configuration Management, and Quality to ensure procurement activities align with program requirements, budgets, and schedules
Participate in program reviews, integrated product team meetings, and supplier technical interchange meetings as the Procurement representative
Support the development and review of Statements of Work, technical specifications, and acceptance criteria in collaboration with engineering and technical stakeholders
Coordinate with Accounts Payable to resolve invoice discrepancies, payment holds, and supplier account issues in a timely manner
Provide procurement guidance and training to Material Planners, requisitioners, and junior buyers on process requirements and best practices