Senior Planner 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

Medical, Dental, and Vision insurance

4% employer matching 401(k)

20 PTO days per year

13 paid company holidays

9/80 work schedule

Job summary

Monarch Quantum in San Diego is seeking a Senior Planner/Buyer to drive material requirements planning for engineering builds and prototype development. You will coordinate with Engineering and Procurement to ensure BOM accuracy, ECOs, and timely material availability for rapid product iteration.

The role involves leading RFQs, cost analyses, supplier negotiations, and maintaining strong supplier relationships to meet program milestones.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience in a related field.
• 5–8 years of production planning, procurement, or planner/buyer experience.
• Experience supporting new product introduction (NPI) or low-volume, high-mix environments.
• Prefer experience in high-tech hardware sectors such as photonics, electronics, aerospace or precision manufacturing.

Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain material requirements plans (MRP) to support builds and BOM releases.
• Execute procurement against the Master Production Schedule (MPS) focusing on cost, schedule and performance.
• Identify alternate parts or suppliers for long-lead or at-risk components.
• Lead RFQs, analyze costs, negotiate terms and delivery schedules.
• Establish supplier relationships ensuring on-time, quality performance.

Skills

MRP planning

Demand planning

Cost analysis

Supplier negotiation

Cross-functional work

Education

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

Tools

ERP/MRP system

MS Excel

Job description

Join our dynamic team as a Senior Planner/Buyer. You'll play a key role in building our 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 material readiness for complex products. You will execute planning 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 requirements plans (MRP) to support engineering builds, prototype development, and low-rate production. Partner closely with Engineering to manage BOM releases, revisions, and Engineering Change Orders (ECOs).
• 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 material alignment with program milestones.
• Monitor and manage long-lead-time components to prevent schedule risk. Proactively identify alternate parts or suppliers for long-lead or at-risk components.
• Track and report key supply chain metrics, including OTIF, supplier lead times, purchase price variance (PPV), inventory accuracy, and material availability.
• Maintain accurate planning parameters (lead times, safety stock, order policies) within the ERP system.
• Identify, qualify, and manage suppliers capable of meeting technical specifications and quality requirements.
• Lead RFQs, perform cost analysis, and negotiate pricing, terms, and delivery schedules.
• Establish and manage supplier relationships to ensure on-time, 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 production planning, 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.