Buyer New Hawthorne, CA

Quantum Space, Inc.; Hawthorne (CA); On-site; USD 80,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

Quantum Space, Inc. is seeking a motivated Buyer to support procurement and supply chain activities for aerospace programs. You will coordinate purchasing, manage supplier relationships, and ensure timely acquisition of materials and services across engineering, production, and business ops.

The role emphasizes fast-paced execution, supplier partnerships, and process improvements to enable scale while maintaining cost and quality. Requires a degree or 4+ years in related fields.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Business Administration, Operations Management, Engineering, or related field; or 4+ years of relevant experience.
• Strong organizational skills with ability to manage multiple purchase orders and suppliers.
• Excellent problem-solving skills with a proactive, solutions-oriented approach and a bias for action.
• Ability to learn quickly, adapt to changing requirements, and prioritise effectively.
• Strong written and verbal communication with cross-functional teams.
• Experience with procurement, supplier negotiations, and cost control.

Responsibilities

• Review purchase requisitions and issue accurate, timely purchase orders for materials, equipment, services, and other business requirements.
• Manage purchasing activities across multiple commodities and internal functions (production, engineering, facilities, capital projects, etc.).
• Ensure purchase orders are acknowledged, pricing, quantities, delivery schedules, and terms are correct.
• Review supplier quotations for completeness, accuracy, competitiveness, and alignment with requirements.
• Obtain supplier promises, monitor delivery commitments, identify schedule risks.
• Maintain open PO reports, track deliveries, coordinate with suppliers for on-time arrival.
• Expedite critical parts to support production and milestones.
• Serve as primary contact for internal stakeholders, providing procurement support and issue resolution.
• Collaborate with Finance/AP to resolve invoice discrepancies and payment issues.
• Support supplier performance management by monitoring cost, quality, delivery, and reliability.
• Identify cost savings opportunities and strengthen supplier relationships.
• Lead supplier onboarding, including documentation and approvals.
• Support supplier negotiations to achieve favorable terms and reliable delivery.
• Lead procurement projects and process improvements to enhance operations.
• Maintain procurement records and supplier data in systems.
• Collaborate with engineering/production to resolve procurement constraints.

Skills

Procurement

Supplier management

Cross-functional collaboration

Attention to detail

Problem solving

Negotiations

Project leadership

Education

Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Business Administration, Operations Management, Engineering, or related field

Tools

ERP systems

MRP systems

Job description

Quantum Space is redefining mobility and maneuverability in space. Our high-mobility spacecraft platforms support national security, civil, and commercial missions with unmatched flexibility and propulsion capability. We build fast and iterate quickly.

Who We’re Looking For

We are seeking a highly motivated, detail-oriented, and resourceful Buyer to support procurement and supply chain operations across Quantum Space's growing spacecraft development and manufacturing programs. In this role, you will be responsible for coordinating purchasing activities, managing supplier relationships, and ensuring the timely acquisition of materials, equipment, and services that support our engineering, production, and business operations.

You will work at the intersection of supply chain, procurement, engineering, manufacturing, facilities, and finance—collaborating with internal stakeholders and external suppliers to ensure purchasing activities are executed accurately, efficiently, and in alignment with company priorities.

You will play a key role in maintaining supplier performance, improving procurement processes, and supporting cost, quality, and delivery objectives. This position is ideal for someone who thrives in a fast-paced, hands-on environment, approaches challenges with creativity and urgency, and enjoys building strong supplier partnerships while helping a growing aerospace company operate at scale.

Where You’ll Make an Impact

• Review purchase requisitions and issue accurate, timely purchase orders for materials, equipment, services, and other business requirements
• Manage purchasing activities across multiple commodities and internal functions, including production, engineering, facilities, capital projects, and general business operations
• Ensure purchase orders are acknowledged by suppliers and confirm pricing, quantities, delivery schedules, and contractual terms
• Review supplier quotations for completeness, accuracy, competitiveness, and alignment with Quantum Space's purchasing requirements and terms and conditions
• Obtain and document original supplier promise dates, monitor delivery commitments, and proactively identify potential schedule risks
• Maintain and review open purchase order reports, track outstanding deliveries, and coordinate with suppliers to ensure materials and services arrive on schedule
• Expedite critical parts, equipment, and services to support production schedules, engineering milestones, and operational priorities
• Serve as a primary point of contact for internal stakeholders, providing responsive procurement support, order status updates, and timely resolution of purchasing issues
• Collaborate with Finance, Accounts Payable, and suppliers to resolve invoice discrepancies, pricing issues, and payment concerns
• Support supplier performance management by monitoring cost, quality, delivery, responsiveness, and overall reliability
• Partner with procurement and supply chain leadership to identify cost savings opportunities, improve purchasing efficiency, and strengthen supplier relationships
• Lead supplier onboarding activities, including collecting required documentation, coordinating internal approvals, and ensuring supplier records are accurate and complete
• Support supplier negotiations and purchasing decisions to achieve competitive pricing, favorable terms, and reliable delivery performance
• Lead assigned procurement projects and process improvement initiatives that enhance purchasing operations and supply chain effectiveness
• Maintain accurate purchasing records, supplier information, and procurement documentation within applicable business systems
• Collaborate with engineering, production, and supply chain teams to identify and resolve procurement constraints that could impact spacecraft development, manufacturing, or integration schedules
• Help establish scalable, efficient, and disciplined procurement practices that enable Quantum Space to move quickly without compromising quality, cost effectiveness, or supplier accountability

What It Takes

• Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Business Administration, Operations Management, Engineering, or a related field; or 4+ years of professional experience in a supply chain, production, engineering, or related function in lieu of a degree
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail, with the ability to manage multiple purchase orders, suppliers, and competing priorities simultaneously
• Excellent problem-solving skills with a proactive, solutions-oriented approach and a bias for action
• Ability to learn quickly, adapt to changing requirements, and prioritize effectively to meet internal customer and business needs
• Strong written and verbal communication skills with the ability to collaborate effectively with suppliers, internal stakeholders, and cross-functional teams
• Excellent customer service skills and a commitment to providing responsive, reliable support to internal business partners
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to evaluate supplier quotations, purchasing data, delivery schedules, and procurement requirements
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications, particularly Excel, Word, Outlook, and other business productivity tools
• Ability to maintain accurate purchasing records, manage documentation, and follow established procurement processes
• Strong follow-through and accountability when managing supplier commitments, outstanding orders, and time-sensitive purchasing activities
• High level of integrity, professionalism, and sound judgment when handling supplier relationships, purchasing decisions, and confidential business information
• Self-motivated, resourceful, and comfortable working independently in a fast-paced, evolving environment
• Ability to work effectively across multiple departments while balancing cost, quality, delivery, and operational priorities

Nice-to-Have Experience

• Experience in purchasing, procurement, supply chain operations, or supplier management
• Experience purchasing capital equipment, facilities-related goods and services, or other indirect materials and services
• Experience supporting procurement activities in aerospace, defense, automotive, electronics, advanced manufacturing, or other technically complex industries
• Familiarity with spacecraft manufacturing, flight hardware procurement, or engineering-driven purchasing requirements
• Experience working with Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP), Material Requirements Planning (MRP), or purchasing management systems
• Experience managing purchase orders, supplier acknowledgments, open order reports, and delivery schedules
• Experience reviewing supplier quotations, comparing pricing, and supporting supplier negotiations
• Familiarity with supplier onboarding, vendor qualification, and supplier performance management processes
• Experience coordinating with Accounts Payable to resolve invoice discrepancies and payment issues
• Experience supporting cost reduction initiatives, purchasing process improvements, or procurement efficiency projects
• Knowledge of procurement best practices, supplier terms and conditions, and purchasing compliance requirements
• Experience working with cross-functional teams in engineering, manufacturing, production planning, finance, or facilities management
• Experience in a startup or small-team environment where flexibility, initiative, and the ability to manage multiple responsibilities are essential

What You’ll Get

• Ownership – Take responsibility for critical purchasing activities, supplier coordination, and procurement execution that directly support spacecraft development and production
• Innovation – Help strengthen and modernize procurement practices while supporting advanced spacecraft technologies enabling next-generation space mobility, maneuverability, and defense missions
• Impact – Play a direct role in ensuring the materials, equipment, and services needed to build mission-critical spacecraft are delivered on time, at the right cost, and to the required quality standards
• Growth – Build broad expertise across aerospace procurement, supplier management, supply chain operations, and manufacturing support while working alongside a multidisciplinary engineering and operations team
• Mission Exposure – Gain visibility across the spacecraft development and production lifecycle, from engineering and supplier sourcing through hardware manufacturing, integration, testing, and launch readiness
• Compensation – Competitive salary, equity, and comprehensive benefits including medical, dental, vision, generous leave, HSA, 401(k) matching, and equity sharing

Location: Hawthorne, CA

Base Salary: $80,000 to $95,000

The salary range for this role is an estimate based on a wide range of compensation factors. Actual salary offer may vary based on (but not limited to) work experience, education and/or training, critical skills, and/or business considerations. Highly competitive equity grants are included in the majority of full time offers; and are considered part of Quantum Space's total compensation package.

Additional Requirements

To comply with U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including ITAR, applicants must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident, protected individual per 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State.