Procurement Representative (Buyer)

Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Lab; Laurel (MD); On-site; USD 85,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

a robust education assistance program

unparalleled retirement contributions

Job summary

Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory (APL) seeks a Procurement Representative to lead sourcing, negotiate terms, and award and administer commercial purchases for diverse programs.

You will partner with technical teams, balance program costs and schedules, and ensure compliance with FAR and APL policies while expanding supplier relationships across manufacturing and services.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Supply Chain Management, Finance, or related discipline, or equivalent combination of education and relevant work experience.
• Five+ years of procurement or contracting experience, including sourcing strategy, solicitation development, negotiation, contract formation, and supplier management.
• Knowledge of procurement principles, including sourcing, negotiation, supplier management, and purchase order/contract administration.
• Strong organizational and time-management skills to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills to collaborate with internal stakeholders and suppliers.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team with sound judgment and attention to detail.
• Demonstrated ability to analyze information, solve problems, and make procurement recommendations.
• US Citizenship or permanent resident status, as required to access APL's facilities and networks.

Responsibilities

• Independently manage procurement actions from requirements development through award and administration, developing sourcing strategies, soliciting and evaluating proposals, performing price analysis, negotiating pricing and terms, and issuing commercial purchase orders and agreements.
• Serve as a trusted procurement partner to technical staff and program teams, providing guidance on sourcing strategies, supplier selection, competition, agreement structure, and procurement approaches balancing objectives, schedule, cost, risk, and compliance requirements.
• Develop and execute strategic sourcing and supplier management for build-to-print and custom manufacturing supplier base, including fabrication and machining, PCBs and assemblies, cables and harnesses, and other products.
• Collaborate with engineering, quality, and other teams to understand manufacturing needs, identify supplier capability, assess risks, and develop sourcing strategies.
• Develop and lead competitive solicitations, evaluate proposals, conduct price/cost analysis, and lead negotiations on pricing, delivery, terms and conditions.
• Prepare and maintain procurement documentation and electronic procurement files per FAR requirements and APL policies.

Skills

Negotiation

Supplier management

Procurement strategy

Stakeholder collaboration

Analytical skills

Communication

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Business, Supply Chain Management, Finance, or related discipline

Five+ years of procurement experience

Tools

SharePoint

ServiceNow

Adobe Portfolio

Oracle EBSS

Job description

Description

Are you a good negotiator?

Do you love working in a fast-paced environment?

Do you want to be part of a team that supports work with a national impact?

If so, we're looking for someone like you to join our team at APL.

We are seeking a Procurement Representative (Buyer) to help solicit proposals, perform market research, negotiate pricing and terms, and award and administer commercial purchase orders for goods and services in support of APL programs. This role requires close collaboration with suppliers, program offices, and procurement leadership to ensure procurements are completed efficiently and in compliance with laboratory policies and procedures. Expediting deliveries, resolving order issues, and maintaining clear communication with stakeholders are essential aspects of this position.

Our team operates in a highly dynamic environment, and we are always looking for individuals with strong analytical skills, sound judgment, and creative problem-solving abilities.

As a Procurement Representative (Buyer)...

• You will independently manage procurement actions from requirements development through award and administration, developing appropriate sourcing and acquisition strategies, soliciting and evaluating proposals, performing price analysis, negotiating pricing and terms, and issuing commercial purchase orders and agreements.




• You will serve as a trusted procurement partner to technical staff and program teams, providing guidance on sourcing strategies, supplier selection, competition, agreement structure, and procurement approaches that balance program objectives, schedule, cost, risk, and compliance requirements.




• You will help develop and execute strategic sourcing and supplier management approaches for APL's build-to-print and custom manufacturing supplier base, including fabrication and machining, printed circuit boards and assemblies, cables and harnesses, and other specialized manufactured products.




• You will work closely with engineering, technical, quality, and other internal teams to understand current and future manufacturing requirements, identify supplier capability needs, evaluate potential supply-chain risks, and develop sourcing strategies that position APL to meet program needs.




• You will develop and lead competitive solicitations, evaluate supplier proposals, conduct price and cost analysis as appropriate, and lead negotiations involving pricing, delivery, terms and conditions, and other commercial considerations.




• You will prepare and maintain procurement documentation and electronic procurement files in accordance with applicable FAR requirements, APL policies and procedures, and established procurement practices.

Qualifications

You meet our minimum qualifications for the job if you ...

• Have a Bachelor’s degree in Business, Supply Chain Management, Finance, or a related discipline, or equivalent combination of education and relevant work experience.




• Have five or more years of progressively responsible professional experience in procurement or contracting, including responsibilities such as sourcing strategy, solicitation development, negotiation, contract formation, and supplier management.




• Have demonstrated knowledge of procurement principles, including sourcing, negotiation, supplier management, and purchase order/contract administration.




• Have strong organizational and time-management skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.




• Have excellent interpersonal and communication skills with the ability to collaborate effectively with internal stakeholders and suppliers.




• Have an ability to work both independently and as part of a team while exercising sound judgment and attention to detail.




• Have a demonstrated ability to analyze information, solve problems, and make informed procurement recommendations.



• Hold US Citizenship or permanent resident status, as required to access APL's facilities and networks, subject to applicable laws.

You'll go above and beyond our minimum requirements if you...

• Have experience with SharePoint (for document routing and storage), ServiceNow (as an intake and communication system), Adobe Portfolio, and/or Oracle-based business systems (EBSS)


• Have experience procuring commercial goods and services under the Federal Acquisition Regulations



• Have experience procuring custom-fabricated and build-to-print components, including custom machined parts, printed circuit boards, and other specialized manufactured products

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About Us

Why Work at APL?

The Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory (APL) brings world-class expertise to our nation’s most critical defense, security, space and science challenges. While we are dedicated to solving complex challenges and pioneering new technologies, what makes us truly outstanding is our culture. We offer a vibrant, welcoming atmosphere where you can bring your authentic self to work, continue to grow, and build strong connections with inspiring teammates.

At APL, we celebrate our differences of perspectives and encourage creativity and bold, new ideas. Our employees enjoy generous benefits, including a robust education assistance program, unparalleled retirement contributions, and a healthy work/life balance. APL’s campus is located in the Baltimore-Washington metro area. Learn more about our career opportunities at https://www.jhuapl.edu/careers.

Benefits

• a robust education assistance program


• unparalleled retirement contributions