Position Overview
Ultimate Staffing Services is actively seeking a highly skilled and experienced Senior Buyer to join a dynamic team in California. This role is pivotal in managing complex supplier relationships and ensuring cost-effective and quality procurement of materials and services. The Senior Buyer will be responsible for strategic and tactical procurement operations, supporting production and operational objectives, and contributing as a subject-matter expert within the procurement function.
Responsibilities
- Manage assigned commodities and suppliers to meet cost, quality, delivery, and capacity objectives.
- Lead supplier selection, qualification, and negotiation activities.
- Recommend and implement sourcing strategies, including dual sourcing, supplier consolidation, and risk mitigation.
- Evaluate market trends and supply constraints; provide recommendations to planning, procurement, and leadership teams.
- Create, manage, and maintain purchase orders in the ERP system (e.g., Syspro).
- Ensure on-time delivery of materials through proactive supplier communication and expediting.
- Analyze quotations, negotiate pricing and terms, and resolve discrepancies or disputes.
- Support NPI, engineering changes, and rework activities as required.
- Develop strong, collaborative relationships with key suppliers.
- Monitor supplier performance metrics (OTD, quality, cost, responsiveness).
- Drive corrective actions and continuous improvement initiatives with suppliers.
- Partner closely with Demand Planning, Production, Engineering, Quality, and Finance.
- Align purchasing actions with MRP signals, production schedules, and inventory targets.
- Identify and implement opportunities to improve procurement processes, data accuracy, and system usage.
- Mentor and support Buyer staff as needed.
Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain, Business, or a related field, or equivalent experience.
- Typically 8+ years of progressive experience in purchasing, procurement, or supply chain roles.
- Experience supporting manufacturing environments preferred.
- Strong negotiation and supplier management skills.
- Solid understanding of MRP/ERP-driven planning and purchasing.
- Ability to manage high volume and complexity with competing priorities.
- Strong analytical, problem-solving, and communication skills.
- Comfortable operating independently and influencing cross-functionally.
- Supply chain certification (CPSM, CPIM, CSCP) is preferred.
- Experience with vendor-managed inventory (VMI) or consignment models is a plus.
- Familiarity with NPI, engineering change processes, and production ramp environments is advantageous.
Required Work Hours
Monday through Friday, first shift.
Benefits
Max Pay is $50 per hour. Min Pay is $43 per hour.
If you are a proactive, reliable, and strategic thinker with a passion for procurement and supplier management, this opportunity is perfect for you. Join the team and contribute to a culture of excellence and innovation.
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, national origin, age, ancestry, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, disability, medical condition, genetic information, pregnancy, or military or veteran status. We consider all qualified applicants, including those with criminal histories, in a manner consistent with state and local laws, including the California Fair Chance Act, City of Los Angeles' Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance, and Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance.