Buyer

MatrixSpace; Hoffman Estates (IL); On-site; USD 85,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

MatrixSpace is seeking an experienced Procurement Specialist to manage purchasing for prototypes, pilot builds, and production. You will negotiate with suppliers, issue purchase orders, expedite orders, and drive cost reductions while maintaining quality.

You’ll work closely with Engineering and Quality to resolve technical sourcing issues and ensure timely deliveries. The role requires strong ERP/MRP proficiency, BOM interpretation, and clear cross-functional communication.

Qualifications

• 5+ years in purchasing or procurement in a manufacturing environment.
• Experience with electronic components, machined parts, assemblies, or other technically complex materials.
• Experience managing purchase orders, expediting materials, and resolving delivery or order discrepancies.
• Working knowledge of ERP or MRP systems, plus proficiency with Microsoft Excel.
• Ability to interpret BOMs, part specs, drawings, and supplier quotes with technical support when needed.
• Clear communication with suppliers and internal teams, including timely updates on commitments, risks, and decisions.

Responsibilities

• Translate material requirements into purchase orders for prototypes, pilot builds, and production.
• Request quotes, negotiate pricing and terms, and manage orders from placement through receipt and closeout.
• Proactively reduce purchasing costs and supplier lead times while protecting quality.
• Resolve shortages through expediting orders, alternate sources, and recovery plans.
• Coordinate supplier onboarding and resolve pricing, quantity, discrepancies with internal teams.
• Maintain accurate supplier, item, pricing, lead-time, and delivery data in purchasing systems.

Skills

Procurement experience

Negotiation

Supply chain

Vendor management

ERP/MRP knowledge

Excel skills

Communication

Tools

ERP systems

MRP systems

Microsoft Excel

Job description

What You'll Do

• Purchase electronic components, mechanical parts, assemblies, materials, equipment, and services. Turn approved material requirements into purchase orders for prototypes, pilot builds, and production.
• Request and compare quotes, negotiate pricing and terms, and manage orders from placement through receipt and closeout. Track supplier commitments and follow up on late orders.
• Proactively reduce purchasing costs and supplier lead times. Work creatively with vendors on pricing, order quantities, delivery schedules, and alternative sourcing options while protecting quality and supply reliability.
• Resolve shortages through expedited orders, alternate sources, partial shipments, and recovery plans. Flag delivery risks early and recommend next steps when additional support or decisions are needed.
• Work with Engineering and Quality on specifications, approved sources, component alternatives, design changes, and supplier quality issues. Identify long-lead parts and carry out approved advance purchases for new products; technical approvals remain with Engineering and Quality.
• Coordinate supplier onboarding and resolve pricing, quantity, receiving, invoice, and return discrepancies with suppliers and internal teams.
• Maintain accurate supplier, item, pricing, lead-time, minimum-order, and delivery information in purchasing and planning systems. Keep records current and communicate changes that affect material availability.
• Report open orders, shortages, supplier delivery performance, and material readiness. Identify trends, improve purchasing processes, and support inventory counts, discrepancy investigations, and procurement audits.

What We're Looking For

This position requires working directly or indirectly with the US Government in restricted environments. Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the United States without employer sponsorship and may be required to obtain and maintain a U.S. government security clearance in the future.

Required

• 5+ years in purchasing, procurement, supply chain, or materials in a manufacturing environment.
• Background purchasing electronic components, machined parts, assemblies, or other technically complex materials for engineering or production builds.
• Experience managing purchase orders, negotiating with suppliers, expediting materials, and resolving delivery or order discrepancies.
• Working knowledge of enterprise resource planning (ERP) or material requirements planning (MRP) systems, plus proficiency with Microsoft Excel.
• Ability to interpret bills of material, part specifications, drawings, and supplier quotes with technical support when needed.
• Clear communication with suppliers and internal teams, including timely updates on commitments, risks, and decisions needed.
• Demonstrated success negotiating lower prices and shorter lead times, including finding practical solutions with suppliers beyond simply requesting a discount.

Someone Who Will Thrive in This Role

• Follows through on supplier commitments and keeps details accurate across many open orders.
• Looks ahead for shortages and brings practical options when raising a problem.
• Adjusts purchasing priorities as build schedules and material needs change.
• Knows when to resolve an issue independently and when to involve Planning, Engineering, Quality, or management.

Bonus Points

• Experience in aerospace, defense, electronics, industrial technology, or regulated manufacturing.
• Familiarity with supplier qualification, source inspections, configuration control, engineering changes, new product introduction, or production ramps.
• Knowledge of government procurement requirements, including FAR/DFARS.

Your purchasing decisions will help our teams move radar products from development into reliable production and customer deployment. If that sounds exciting, we'd love to hear from you.