Senior Purchasing & Procurement Specialist

Express Employment Professionals San Diego; San Diego (CA); On-site; USD 75,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Express Employment Professionals San Diego is hiring a Senior Purchasing & Procurement Specialist to lead sourcing and purchasing for a technical manufacturing environment in San Diego. The role combines strategic sourcing, supplier negotiations, and hands-on procurement with impact on cost, inventory, and operations.

The successful candidate will manage POs, delivery schedules, expediting, and cross-functional collaboration with Production, Engineering, and Quality.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of purchasing, procurement, buying, or sourcing experience.
• Manufacturing, industrial automation, electronics, or technical purchasing experience.
• Strong negotiation, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
• Proficiency in Excel and ERP/MRP or inventory management systems.
• A proactive, organized professional who takes ownership and follows through.
• Experience with industrial automation brands, surplus equipment, aerospace, defense, or electronics manufacturing is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Source and purchase industrial automation equipment, electronic components, and manufacturing materials.
• Identify and develop relationships with suppliers, manufacturers, distributors, and brokers.
• Research market pricing, evaluate suppliers, and negotiate competitive purchasing terms.
• Manage purchase orders, delivery schedules, expediting, and supplier issue resolution.
• Identify cost savings, alternative sources, and opportunities to improve purchasing efficiency.
• Collaborate with Production, Engineering, Quality, and other departments to support operational needs.

Skills

Negotiation

Analytical thinking

Problem solving

Cross-functional collaboration

Tools

Excel

ERP/MRP

Inventory management systems

Job description

We're Hiring!Senior Purchasing & Procurement Specialist

El Cajon & Sorrento Valley, San Diego, CA

$75,000–$90,000 annually | BOE | Full-Time

Are you a skilled purchasing professional who knows how to negotiate a great deal, build strong supplier relationships, and keep operations running smoothly?

We're looking for a Senior Purchasing & Procurement Specialist to lead sourcing and purchasing activities in a technical manufacturing environment. This role offers the opportunity to combine strategic sourcing, supplier negotiations, and hands‑on procurement while making a meaningful impact on cost, inventory, and operational performance.

What You'll Do

• Source and purchase industrial automation equipment, electronic components, and manufacturing materials.
• Identify and develop relationships with suppliers, manufacturers, distributors, and brokers.
• Research market pricing, evaluate suppliers, and negotiate competitive purchasing terms.
• Manage purchase orders, delivery schedules, expediting, and supplier issue resolution.
• Identify cost savings, alternative sources, and opportunities to improve purchasing efficiency.
• Collaborate with Production, Engineering, Quality, and other departments to support operational needs.

What We're Looking For

• 5+ years of purchasing, procurement, buying, or sourcing experience.
• Manufacturing, industrial automation, electronics, or technical purchasing experience.
• Strong negotiation, analytical, and problem‑solving skills.
• Proficiency in Excel and ERP/MRP or inventory management systems.
• A proactive, organized professional who takes ownership and follows through.

Experience with industrial automation brands, surplus equipment, aerospace, defense, or electronics manufacturing is a plus.

Why This Opportunity?

• Competitive salary of $75K–$90K
• An opportunity to influence sourcing strategies and cost savings
• A hands‑on role with supplier relationships and cross‑functional collaboration

Interested in taking the next step in your purchasing career?