Senior Purchasing Manager

General Atomics; San Diego (CA); On-site; USD 126,000 - 230,000; Full time

Job summary

General Atomics seeks a Senior Purchasing Manager to lead procurement, review high‑value purchase orders and subcontracts, and ensure policy compliance across engineering and manufacturing teams.

The role requires extensive experience in supply chain management, contract construction, and federal regulations, with a focus on supplier negotiations and cost control. Travel may be required for audits and supplier reviews.

Qualifications

• Typically requires a Bachelor's degree in business administration or a related discipline and thirteen or more years of progressive experience interpreting, awarding and administering complex contractual agreements.
• Must have demonstrated experience in supply chain management concepts, principles, and standard practices, including FAR, FAR supplements, and UCC.
• Ability to coordinate inter-organizational activities and propose solutions to complex issues.
• Proven ability to document, investigate, and explain complex issues to internal staff and external customers.
• Experience negotiating highly complex purchases and subcontracts and understanding materials requirements planning.

Responsibilities

• Review and approve complex, high dollar purchase orders and subcontracts.
• Establish and monitor compliance with purchasing policies and procedures.
• Assign tasks and provide direction to staff to meet timelines.
• Obtain and analyze subcontractor quotes and pricing; provide inputs to pricing departments.
• Help manage production schedules by planning buys and tracking material inbound.
• Coordinate supplier evaluations and pre-award surveys.

Skills

Supply chain management

Negotiation

Procurement

Contract administration

Leadership

Education

Bachelor's degree in business administration or related discipline

Tools

FAR knowledge

UCC knowledge

ERP systems

Job description

General Atomics (GA), and its affiliated companies, is one of the world’s leading resources for high-technology systems development ranging from the nuclear fuel cycle to remotely piloted aircraft, airborne sensors, and advanced electric, electronic, wireless and laser technologies.

Job Summary

General Atomics (GA), and its affiliated companies, is one of the world’s leading resources for high-technology systems development ranging from the nuclear fuel cycle to remotely piloted aircraft, airborne sensors, and advanced electric, electronic, wireless and laser technologies. We have an exciting opportunity for a Senior Purchasing Manager! This position is responsible for managing the process of procuring material, parts, components, services, and equipment. Manages the activities of buyers and subcontract administrators to accomplish business objectives. Reviews and approves sizeable and complex purchase orders and subcontracts. Manages the development and interpretation of policies and procedures for the operation of the procurement department's activities and manages cost, schedule, and performance of subcontracts. Manages the coordination of purchasing activities with engineering and manufacturing departments. Typically accomplishes objectives through subordinate management and/or professional staff. May be responsible for decisions that have an extended and significant impact on outcomes across the company.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Review and approve complex, high dollar purchase orders and agreements. Negotiate and award purchase orders and subcontracts on behalf of the corporation.
• Establish and monitor compliance with purchasing policies and procedures in accordance with all acquisition, export and other applicable regulations, company policies and contractual requirements.
• Assign tasks, review work, and provide direction to staff while ensuring purchasing processes are met within established timelines.
• Manage proposal efforts by obtaining subcontractor and supplier quotes and proposals which may include subcontractor costs and pricing data. Analyze and negotiate subcontractor and supplier pricing when appropriate. Provide subcontractor and supplier pricing inputs to proposals/pricing departments.
• Manage production schedules by assisting in planning activities and monitoring buys.
• Manage the facilitation of pre-award surveys and supplier evaluations.
• Oversee various internal and external audits, including government and customer audits.
• Act as primary contact for purchasing activities and issues. May represent the company with customers, potential customers and suppliers.
• Keep abreast of best practices in supply chain and materials management.
• Manage the planning, attraction, selection, retention, and development of human resources to ensure the availability of the required management and professional talent.
• Maintain the strict confidentiality of sensitive information.
• Responsible for ensuring all laws, regulations and other applicable obligations are observed wherever and whenever business is conducted on behalf of the company. Responsible for ensuring work is accomplished in a safe manner in accordance with established operating procedures and practices.
• Additional Functions Other duties as assigned or required.

We recognize and appreciate the value and contributions of individuals with diverse backgrounds and experiences and welcome all qualified individuals to apply.

Job Qualifications

• Typically requires a Bachelor's degree in business administration or a related discipline and thirteen or more years of progressive experience interpreting, awarding and administering complex contractual agreements. May substitute equivalent experience in lieu of education.
• Must have demonstrated experience in the concepts, principles, and standard practices of supply chain management and purchasing and an extensive knowledge of contract construction, Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR), FAR supplements, and the Uniform Commercial Code (UCC).
• Must be capable of coordinating inter-organizational activities and recommending creative solutions to complex issues.
• The ability to document, investigate, advise, interpret and explain complex issues or technical information to internal staff at all levels throughout the organization as well as external customers and suppliers is also required.
• Must have experience negotiating highly complex purchases and subcontracts and conducting briefings while having a detailed and comprehensive understanding of materials requirements planning.
• Able to work extended hours and travel as required.

Job Type: Full-Time Salary

Salary range: 125,810 - 229,670