Senior Buyer

Attalon, Inc.; Richmond (CA); On-site; USD 97,105 - 166,050; Full time

Job summary

Attalon, Inc. in Richmond, CA is seeking a Senior Buyer responsible for sourcing and developing suppliers of materials while negotiating favorable terms. Candidates must have a minimum of 5 years of relevant experience and a Bachelor’s degree in operations management. The salary for this position ranges from $97,105 to $166,050, depending on experience and qualifications. A robust skill set in communication, negotiation, and analysis is crucial for success in this role.

Qualifications

• Minimum 5 years of related experience in a professional role with APICS certification.
• Courses in Procurement/Logistics/Operations or APICS certification required.

Responsibilities

• Source and maintain suppliers for materials and supplies.
• Negotiate pricing and terms favorable to project budget.
• Ensure compliance with SOX, CMMC, and internal approval matrices.
• Monitor approvals, delivery, and supplier performance.

Skills

Communication skills

Organizational skills

Attention to detail

Analytical skills

Negotiation skills

Education

Bachelor's degree in operation management or related discipline

Tools

MS Office

ERP systems

Power BI

Job description

About this position

Attalon is a leading technology partner to the global aerospace and defense industry, specializing in the physics of light and heat. With over 500 employees in the U.S., Attalon engineers critical optical, laser, and coating technologies that enable systems to see farther, target faster, and survive the harshest environments. From high-energy directed laser systems to satellite optics and hypersonic thermal protection, Attalon equips the warfighter with the advantage of precision.

Job Title

Senior Buyer

Under limited supervision, Senior Buyer sources, develops and maintains suppliers for materials, supplies, and other production‑related items. Negotiates pricing and terms favorable to project budget and achieves or exceeds target budget/cost without sacrificing quality or delivery. Works with Production, Programs and Engineering personnel to understand requirements and makes suggestions for viable alternatives when applicable. Monitors repeat buys and makes suggestions as to stock quantities or inventory levels. Ensures compliance to SOX, CMMC, SPRS and internal approval matrices. May assist Estimating in sourcing and costing material/items for RFQ's. May oversee, train or mentor other Buyers or Purchasing personnel.

Responsibilities

• Examines budgets, drawings and specifications to understand requirements prior to sourcing
• Meets or exceeds target price/cost without sacrificing quality or delivery
• Based on requirements, recommends the best supplier. Creates P.O's and ensures appropriate approvals are obtained prior to placing orders
• Negotiates blanket and annual contracts/service agreements. Reviews contracts to ensure they comply with LWOS's standard T&C guidelines. Negotiates contract terms for favorable to LWOS.
• Monitors approvals, delivery and supplier performance. Modifies P.O's, lead times or expedites orders as required and communicates changes to all affected parties
• Acts as a liaison between company departments and the supplier to resolve issues of production, quality or schedule
• Maintains strong relationships with key suppliers. Utilizes such relationships to leverage favorable terms
• Identifies multiple procurement sources where available and maintains information on alternate and/or preferred suppliers
• Identifies areas for cost savings based on competitive suppliers, materials market, etc. and negotiates with supplier for lower costs or better terms
• Discrepancies or difficulties in finding appropriate suppliers/pricing are promptly communicated and resolved
• Participates in Supplier Development/Qualification activities by sourcing, researching and evaluating new suppliers. Makes recommendations for including new suppliers based on their capabilities, quality, pricing and capacity
• Assists Estimating or Programs in securing pricing and quotes for RFG or bid proposal activities
• Provides data for analytics, metrics or reporting
• Examines analytics or trends to help determine best stock levels on routine buys or for Kanban activity. Makes suggestions for improvement when appropriate
• Makes suggestions for alternative products where appropriate to improve cost, quality or delivery times
• Stays informed of the current markets and trends for commonly used materials or parts. Investigates and reports on trends or new suppliers which may potentially impact the company
• May lead or train other Buyers or Purchasing personnel

Minimum Qualifications

• Minimum 5 years of related experience in a professional role with APICS certification
• Bachelor’s degree in operation management or related discipline.
• Courses in Procurement/Logistics/Operations or APICS certificated required. Years of experience may be substituted for coursework/certification.

Preferred Qualifications

• Powerful communication, organization, and attention to detail skillset
• Ability to multitask on various projects with time sensitive objectives
• Experience creating and maintaining procedures, work instructions
• Good analytical and problem‑solving skills, with familiarity using analytical tools
• Ability to read and understand engineering drawings and specifications
• Comfortable with standard PC applications (MS Office, ERP systems, etc.)
• Strong negotiation skills with working knowledge on supplier agreements
• Working knowledge of power BI or visual basic
• Ability to work in a fast‑paced, dynamic environment with changing priorities.
• Behavior Competencies: Adaptability; Customer Focus; Innovation; Planning; Organizing; Problem Solving, Decision making

Salary Information

For Richmond, CA, the salary pay range for this role is $97,105 - $166,050.

This range is provided as a general guideline. When determining an offer, Attalon takes into account multiple factors, including (but not limited to) the responsibilities of the position, your professional experience, education and training, specialized skills, and current market and business conditions.

Equal Opportunity Employer Statement

Attalon, Inc. is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, color, religion, national origin, disability, protected Veteran status, age, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Export Control Compliance

This role involves access to technology, materials, software, or hardware subject to U.S. export control laws. Therefore, to be considered, candidates must be classified as a “U.S. Person” under applicable regulations or be eligible for authorization under a U.S. government export license.