Senior Buyer & Strategic Sourcing Lead

Pelican; Torrance (CA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Relocation assistance

401(k) with company match

Medical, Dental, Vision coverage

HSA contribution

Wellness program

Employee discounts on Pelican products

Job summary

Pelican Products, Inc. is seeking a Buyer III in Torrance, CA to secure materials for manufacturing, manage supplier relationships, and negotiate terms that optimize cost, quality, and delivery.

You will collaborate with Engineering and Product Development to align sourcing with production needs. You will review requisitions, issue POs, monitor KPIs, and drive continuous improvements across procurement processes.

Qualifications

• 5–7 years of purchasing, procurement, or sourcing experience in manufacturing.
• Strong knowledge of purchasing procedures, supplier management, and procurement practices within manufacturing operations.
• Experience negotiating supplier pricing, contracts, and purchasing terms.
• Ability to read and interpret technical drawings, engineering specifications, and product requirements.
• Experience managing supplier performance, including on-time delivery, quality, and cost.
• Understanding of inventory management, material planning, and production purchasing requirements.
• Experience working with ERP systems to manage purchase orders, material information, and purchasing activities.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to evaluate costs, supplier performance, and purchasing trends.
• Ability to manage multiple purchasing priorities while meeting production schedules and business requirements.
• Strong communication and relationship-building skills when working with suppliers and internal stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Manage purchasing activities for materials and supplies supporting monthly production, with annual spend of $5–$10 million.
• Review approved purchase requisitions and ERP requirements to issue purchase orders and maintain material availability.
• Develop and maintain strong supplier relationships while monitoring performance against KPIs.
• Work with suppliers to improve on-time delivery, resolve past-due orders, and address quality concerns.
• Negotiate supplier pricing, contracts, and purchasing terms to support cost savings and business objectives.
• Evaluate suppliers and recommend sourcing decisions based on pricing, quality, delivery, and operational requirements.
• Lead new supplier qualification activities in accordance with established ISO procedures.
• Develop and execute commodity strategies and purchasing plans that support production and long-term business needs.
• Monitor inventory levels, coordinate supplier shipments, and identify potential material shortages or supply risks.
• Maintain accurate purchasing and material master data within ERP systems, including import and export information.
• Partner with Product Development and Engineering to evaluate and approve new suppliers, materials, and products.
• Analyze purchasing trends, material costs, and supplier performance to identify opportunities for improvement.
• Recommend improvements to purchasing procedures, inventory management, and material planning processes.
• Provide guidance, training, and mentorship to other Buyers as needed.
• Perform additional duties as assigned.

Skills

Purchasing

Supplier management

Negotiation

ERP systems

Cost analysis

MS Excel

Cross-functional

Communication

Education

Bachelor's in Supply Chain

Tools

MS Excel

ERP systems

Job description

Pelican Products, Inc. is seeking a Buyer III in Torrance, CA to secure materials for manufacturing, manage supplier relationships, and negotiate terms that optimize cost, quality, and delivery.

You will collaborate with Engineering and Product Development to align sourcing with production needs. You will review requisitions, issue POs, monitor KPIs, and drive continuous improvements across procurement processes.