Senior Buyer/Planner

Mainspring Energy; Menlo Park (CA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Stock options

Benefits

Job summary

Mainspring Energy in Menlo Park, CA is seeking a Buyer/Planner to manage multiple commodities from quote to pay, ensuring uninterrupted supply and cost control. The role involves cross‑functional engagement with production, engineering, logistics, and suppliers, balancing tactical buying with advanced planning.

The ideal candidate will have 5+ years in production control or supply chain fields, strong data‑driven mindset, and experience negotiating with suppliers.

Qualifications

• Deep knowledge of material planning, forecasting, lead times, inventory, and capital use.
• Data-driven status updates to manage exceptions.
• Experience administering competitive RFQs and supplier negotiations.

Responsibilities

• Manage purchase orders, releases, and schedules to meet production and service requirements.
• Translate demand forecasts and MRP signals into executable supply plans.
• Monitor inventory levels, lead times, MOQ compliance and capacity constraints.
• Ensure material availability while optimizing inventory and working capital.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for assigned suppliers.
• Communicate forecasts, schedule changes, and priorities clearly.
• Monitor supplier performance (OTD, quality, responsiveness).
• Resolve supply disruptions and expedites when required.

Skills

Google Sheets

Google Workspace

Data-driven

Analytical

Communication

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering, Business, Economics, Supply Chain Management or similar

Tools

ERP packages

Job description

Mainspring Energy manufactures and delivers fuel‑flexible, low‑emissions local power solutions that rapidly add new capacity and deliver reliable, affordable, and sustainable electric power. The company began commercial shipments of its Mainspring Linear Generators in 2020 and today has hundreds of megawatts in advanced development and field operations for leading Fortune 500 companies, data centers, and utilities. Mainspring also partners with global energy leaders including AEP, NextEra Energy Resources, Schneider Electric, and more.

Core Values

• Pragmatic Optimism
• Excellence without Ego

Job Overview

The Buyer/Planner will be managing various commodities and suppliers from “quote to pay” to ensure continuity of supply and reduce the cost of the assigned portfolio. The candidate will be organized, communicative, hands‑on and will have regular shop floor engagement and constant cross‑functional engagement with production, NPI, engineering, logistics, material handling, and suppliers. The role balances tactical buying excellence with advanced planning, supplier coordination, and cost control, ensuring uninterrupted supply while supporting business objectives.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage purchase orders, releases, and schedules to meet production and service requirements
• Translate demand forecasts and MRP signals into executable supply plans that align with demand
• Monitor inventory levels, lead times, MOQ compliance and capacity constraints
• Ensure material availability while optimizing inventory and working capital
• Serve as the primary point of contact for assigned suppliers
• Communicate forecasts, schedule changes, and priorities clearly and proactively
• Monitor supplier performance (OTD, quality, responsiveness)
• Resolve supply disruptions and expedite when required

Minimum Requirements

• Deep knowledge of material planning, forecasting factoring in demand, supply, lead times, inventory, and business inputs regarding risks and use‑of‑capital
• Deep understanding of planning systems and parameters to optimize inventory levels
• Ability to provide data‑driven status updates to manage exceptions
• Experience administering competitive RFQs and driving supplier negotiations and supporting cost reduction activities
• Ability to build and manage effective supplier relationships and act as the primary interface with suppliers on delivery status, issues, and problem resolution
• Ability to communicate proactively with Production, Material Handling, and Engineers about order status and schedule challenges, and manage change orders, rush‑requests, and returns, as necessary

Preferred Requirements

• Experience managing the transition of new products into volume production with manufacturing partners
• Partner with IT and other business stakeholders on planning processes and system improvements
• Experienced with cross‑functional business process improvements to improve the supply chain efficiency

Qualifications

• At least 5 years of experience in production control, material demand planning, or supply chain management environment
• Independent, excellent communicator, and collaborator with Engineering, Quality, Program Management, and Manufacturing
• Detail‑oriented with thorough analytical capabilities including the ability to solve problems with minimal supervision
• Proficient with Google Sheets and Google Workspace tools. Experience with ERP packages
• Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering, Business, Economics, Supply Chain Management or similar discipline
• Cultural fit: Pragmatic Optimism (creative, practical, problem solver), Excellence without Ego (expertise, rigorous, data‑driven, service‑oriented, leadership ability, humble), Proactive Collaboration (seeking others, inclusive, respectful)
• Smart, cognitively agile, high‑horsepower, dependable person
• Clear, concise, to the point communication and presentation skills, ability to work with teams
• Data‑driven and analytical

Equal Opportunity Employer

In more traditional words, Mainspring Energy, Inc is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, or protected veteran status and will not be discriminated against on the basis of disability.

Compensation and Benefits

This compensation and benefits information is based on Mainspring Energy’s estimate as of the date of publication and may be modified in the future. We generally do not negotiate on salary once we have made an offer. The level of pay within the range will depend on a variety of job‑related factors that may include location, relevant prior experience and/or education, or particular skills and expertise. New hires joining the company tend to be paid within the starting base pay range noted above, with opportunities to increase pay over time based on development of additional skills, competencies, and company‑specific knowledge. Along with the base salary, Mainspring offers pre‑IPO stock options + benefits.

Location

This position is onsite at our Menlo Park HQ. The salary will be adjusted to reflect local market conditions based on employee location as well as the experience of the employee.