Buyer

Quantum Design Inc.; United States; On-site; USD 45,000 - 61,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

401(k) with company match

Paid time off

Paid holidays

Employee assistance program

Job summary

Quantum Design Inc. in San Diego, CA is seeking a hands-on Buyer to procure raw materials, tools, parts and services for a semi-custom, built-to-order manufacturing environment. You will partner with Engineering, Manufacturing and Planning to align supply with evolving production priorities and schedules.

This 100% onsite role offers hourly pay from $33.00 to $44.00, with medical, dental, vision, 401(k) matching, PTO, holidays and additional benefits. Local vendor travel may be required.

Qualifications

• Two years of procurement experience in a manufacturing environment.
• Two years of experience with Material Requirements Planning (MRP) concepts and systems.
• Experience with ERP systems and inventory control is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Establish and maintain strong relationships with suppliers.
• Negotiate with qualified suppliers to obtain the lowest total cost for components and services.
• Develop and manage new sources of supply.
• Generate purchase orders to maintain a continuous supply of materials and avoid disruptions in manufacturing.
• Maintain confirmed order dates, delivery updates and price changes, addressing any delivery and stock issues.

Skills

Procurement experience

MRP concepts

Education

Bachelor’s degree in supply chain management or related field

Tools

Infor SyteLine

ERP programs

Excel

Job description

About

About Quantum Design For more than 40 years Quantum Design (QD) has been providing technology solutions to researchers in the fields of physics, chemistry, biotechnology, materials science, and nanotechnology. Established in 1982, Quantum Design is the leading commercial source for automated materials characterization systems offering a variety of measurement capabilities. QD instruments are found in the world's leading research institutions and have become the reference standard for a variety of magnetic and physical property measurements.

Job Description

The Opportunity Asa Buyer,you will be responsible for procuring goods and services, such as raw materials, equipment, tools, parts and supplies, used in a semi-custom built-to-order manufacturing environment. This position is essential to ensuring the availability of a wide range of materials, components, and services, often with varying specifications, lead times, and demand, while maintaining cost control and production continuity. You will also serve as a key liaison between the organization and its supplier base, proactively managing risks, resolving material issues, and adjusting procurement strategies to align with evolving business needs.

Success in this role depends on strong organization, good judgment, and a practical, hands‑on approach to solving problems in an environment where flexibility and responsiveness matter. In this role, you will also work closely with Engineering, Manufacturing, Planning, Quality and other teams to support frequently changing requirements, engineering updates, and shifting production priorities.

Your ability to manage complexity, respond quickly to change, and communicate effectively with suppliers and internal stakeholders will directly influence production schedules and on‑time customer delivery.

Responsibilities

• Establish and maintain strong and positive relationship with our suppliers.
• Negotiate with qualified suppliers to obtain the lowest total cost for components and services, within acceptable lead times.
• Develop and manage new sources of supply.
• Generate purchase orders to maintain a continuous supply of materials and avoid disruptions in manufacturing.
• Maintain confirmed order dates, delivery updates and price changes, addressing any delivery and stock issues on a regular basis.
• Expedite purchase orders as required.
• Coordinate the return of non‑conforming material to suppliers for rework or credit, as required.
• Identify problem areas, initiate corrective action and establish problem resolution dates in a timely manner.
• Reschedule in case of design changes, labor and material shortages, backlogs and other interruptions.
• Other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

• Two years of experience in procurement within a manufacturing environment.
• Two years of experience working with Material Requirements Planning (MRP) concepts and systems.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in supply chain management or related field.
• Experience working with Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) programs.
• Experience with Infor SyteLine.
• Knowledge of general inventory control operations, purchasing and receiving activities and general stockroom practices.
• Intermediate to advanced experience with Excel.

Additional Information

This position’s work mode is 100% onsite. The employee will report to our facility in San Diego, CA five days a week.

Salary Range: $33.00 - $44.00, hourly.

• Benefits include medical, dental, vision, 401(k) with company match, paid time off, paid holidays, employee assistance program, and other company-sponsored benefits.
• Local traveling to vendor sites may be required.

This position will work in a manufacturing environment that includes office, stockroom, warehouse, and test floor areas. The ability to sit, stand, and lift is necessary. Must be able to properly lift up to 20 lbs.

Equal Opportunity Statement

Quantum Design is an affirmative action and equal opportunity employer. All employment decisions, policies and practices are in accordance with applicable federal, state and local anti-discrimination laws. Quantum Design will not tolerate or engage in unlawful discrimination including any form of unlawful harassment, on account of a person's sex, age, race, color, religion, creed, sexual preference or orientation, marital status, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, military status, veteran status, handicap, disability, or membership in any protected group.

Company Culture

At Quantum Design, we've driven technology, research and innovation forward for more than 40 years. As the leading commercial source for automated materials characterization systems, we offer a wide range of career opportunities across engineering, manufacturing, operations, and global support teams. Our core values guide how we show up every day and shape the culture we create together. We earn trust through transparency and reliability, commit by bringing accountability and care to every interaction, and collaborate across departments and global offices to generate innovative solutions. We adapt with flexibility and resilience when challenges arise, and we make the quantum leap by staying curious, open‑minded, and proactive in seeking opportunities for improvement. Together, these values form the foundation of who we are and how we work.