Senior Buyer (opens in a new tab)

Monarch Quantum; San Diego (CA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health benefits

401(k) matching

PTO 20 days

Company holidays

9/80 schedule

Job summary

Monarch Quantum is seeking a Senior Buyer to build our supply base, collaborate with engineering, and ensure material readiness for complex product development in a fast-paced, engineering-driven environment.

You will lead strategic sourcing, manage BOM revisions, and coordinate with cross-functional teams to deliver on time and within cost targets. This role emphasizes supplier partnerships and execution excellence in high-tech hardware contexts.

Qualifications

• Ability to read and interpret technical drawings and specifications.
• Strong ERP/MRP system experience; advanced Excel skills required.
• Familiarity with demand planning, MRP logic, and inventory control principles.
• Understanding of supplier negotiations, RFQs, and basic contract terms.
• Working knowledge of ISO9001 or AS9100 environments preferred.

Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain material purchasing requirements; partner with Engineering on BOM releases and ECOs.
• Execute procurement against the Master Production Schedule (MPS) ensuring cost, schedule and performance alignment.
• Monitor long-lead-time components; qualify alternate parts or suppliers.
• Track supply chain metrics: OTIF, lead times, PPV, and material availability.
• Identify, qualify, and manage a robust supplier panel meeting technical specs and quality.

Skills

Technical drawings

ERP/MRP

Excel

Demand planning

MRP logic

Inventory control

RFQ

Negotiations

Contract terms

ISO9001/AS9100

Education

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

Tools

ERP/MRP system

Job description

Join our dynamic team as a Senior Buyer. You'll play a key role in building our supply base foundation, working with cutting-edge technologies and supporting new product development. This position is ideal for a self-starter who thrives in a fast-paced, engineering-driven environment and enjoys working closely with technical teams to ensure commercial and material readiness for complex products. You will execute strategic sourcing and procurement activities that support rapid product iteration, evolving Bills of Materials (BOMs), and demanding technical requirements. This role is an experienced individual contributor position with significant cross-functional exposure. Your key responsibilities are as follows:

• Develop and maintain material purchasing requirements Partner closely with Engineering to manage BOM releases, revisions, and Engineering Change Orders (ECOs) from a total cost and lead-time perspective.
• Execute procurement against the Master Production Schedule (MPS) and ensure materials are aligned to cost, schedule, and performance objectives. Collaborate with Engineering, Quality, Program Management, and Finance to ensure supplier alignment with program milestones.
• Monitor and manage long-lead-time components to prevent potential risk. Proactively identify and qualify alternate parts or suppliers for long-lead or at-risk components.
• Track and report key supply chain metrics, including Supplier OTIF, lead times, Purchase Price Variance (PPV), and material availability.
• Identify, qualify, and manage a robust panel of suppliers capable of meeting technical specifications and quality requirements.
• Lead RFQs, perform detailed cost analysis/should-costing, and negotiate Master Purchase Agreements (MPAs), pricing, terms, and delivery schedules.
• Establish and manage strategic supplier partnerships to ensure long-term scalability and high-quality performance.

• This position requires access to export-controlled information. Employment is contingent upon the applicant being a U.S. person as defined by 8 U.S.C. § 1324b(a)(3).

Experience:

• Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain, Engineering, Business, or related field; or equivalent experience.
• 5-8 years of experience in procurement or planner/buyer roles.
• Experience supporting new product introduction (NPI) or low-volume, high-mix manufacturing environments.
• Experience in high-tech hardware sectors such as photonics, electronics, aerospace, or precision manufacturing preferred.

Skills:

• Ability to read and interpret technical drawings and specifications.
• Strong ERP/MRP system experience; advanced Excel skills required.
• Familiarity with demand planning, MRP logic, and inventory control principles.
• Understanding of supplier negotiations, RFQs, and basic contract terms.
• Working knowledge of ISO9001 or AS9100 environments preferred.
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities in a dynamic environment.

Startup Mindset:

• You're creative, flexible, and eager to wear multiple hats.
• You're passionate about building systems from the ground up and comfortable with ambiguity and change.

The expected annual salary range for this position is $90,000-$120,000 (commensuratewith experience).

As a full-time employee, you will be eligible for Monarch's comprehensive benefits package, which includes:

• Medical, Dental, and Vision insurance
• Fidelity 401(k) plan with 4% employer matching
• 20 paid time off (PTO) days per year
• 13 paid company holidays
• 9/80 work schedule (every other Friday off)

Monarch Quantum is proud to be an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, citizenship status, national origin, ancestry, sex, sexual orientation, age, religion, creed, physical or mental disability, medical condition, marital status, veteran status or any other characteristics protected under applicable federal, state and local laws.