Sr Procurement Specialist

ENC - ElDorado National California Inc.; Riverside (CA); On-site; USD 85,000 - 115,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, vision, life and/or-}

401(k) with employer match

Paid time off and twelve holidays

Employee referral program

Career growth and development

Job summary

ENC is seeking a Senior Buyer with OEM procurement experience in the automotive sector to join our Riverside, CA team. You will source raw materials, electronic components, steel, engines, and tires, negotiate contracts, and manage supplier performance to ensure cost, quality, and on-time delivery.

This onsite role requires strong Excel and ERP/MRP skills, knowledge of JIT production, and a track record of optimizing supply chains in dynamic environments.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent with a focus in supply chain or engineering.
• 5+ years procurement experience in automotive/OEM environments.
• Strong relationships with Tier 1 and Tier 2 automotive suppliers.
• Experience with OEM materials: raw materials, electronic components, steel, engines, tires.
• Understanding of PLM, NPI, production control, and APQP processes.
• Proficient with Excel (VLOOKUPs, pivots) and ERP/MRP systems.

Responsibilities

• Procure materials per OEM specs ensuring cost, quality, and delivery.
• Negotiate contracts and manage supplier performance for best value and schedule alignment.
• Oversee RFQ process, procurement awards, PO creation, and goods receipt.
• Build and maintain strong supplier relationships to meet production standards.
• Manage inventory to support JIT production and minimize disruptions.
• Analyze PPV to meet cost objectives and improve profitability.
• Ensure on-time delivery and address performance issues promptly.
• Conduct procurement analyses to optimize decision-making and supply chain efficiency.
• Maintain corporate records and ensure NDA, export, and contract compliance.
• Ensure supplier quality/compliance per ISO/TS and APQP requirements.
• Leverage Excel tools and ERP/MRP to analyze data and provide insights.

Skills

Procurement

OEM procurement

Negotiation

Supplier management

JIT / Lean

Excel skills

ERP/MRP knowledge

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

ERP/MRP systems

Microsoft Excel

Job description

Join a manufacturing leader with over 50 years of excellence, where every role contributes to building reliable transportation solutions that people depend on everyday across the United States and Canada. At ENC, we prioritize safety, quality, innovation, collaboration, and continuous growth - creating vehicles our teams can take pride in.

Founded in 1975, ENC (ElDorado National - California) is a leading U.S. transportation manufacturer specializing in design, engineering, and end-to-end production of heavy-duty buses, shuttles, and cargo vehicles through a custom-build, mixed-model assembly process. Each vehicle is produced in our purpose-built facility in Riverside, California supporting public agencies and private transportation providers nationwide. We offer one of the industry’s widest portfolios of power options, including 100% battery-electric, diesel-electric hybrid, CNG, and clean diesel.

ENC is committed to revitalizing American manufacturing through innovation, customer focus, and the delivery of high-quality vehicles that keep communities connected, supported, and moving forward.

Sr Specialist, Procurement / Sr Buyer

Location: Riverside, CA

Salary Range: $85,000 - $115,000

Position Summary

We are seeking an experienced and dynamic Senior Buyer with a proven track record in Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) procurement within the automotive sector. The ideal candidate will excel in sourcing and negotiating critical materials such as raw materials, electronic components, steel, engines, and tires. This role demands expertise in OEM supply chains, cost optimization, supplier management, and inventory control. Strong analytical, problem-solving, and negotiation skills, coupled with deep knowledge of OEM standards and requirements, are essential for success in this position.

Key Responsibilities

• Procure materials in compliance with OEM specifications, ensuring optimal cost, quality, and delivery.
• Negotiate contracts and manage supplier performance to achieve best value and schedule alignment.
• Oversee the RFQ process, procurement awards, purchase order creation, and goods receipt management.
• Build and maintain strong supplier relationships to meet production and quality standards.
• Manage inventory to support just-in-time (JIT) production while minimizing manufacturing disruptions.
• Analyze and control Price Per Variance (PPV) to meet cost objectives and enhance profitability.
• Ensure suppliers meet delivery schedules and promptly address performance issues to avoid delays.
• Conduct detailed procurement analyses to optimize decision-making and improve supply chain efficiency.
• Maintain corporate records and ensure compliance with Non-Disclosure Agreements, Export Compliance, and Contracts.
• Ensure supplier compliance with OEM-specific quality and regulatory standards, including ISO/TS certifications and APQP processes.
• Leverage advanced Excel tools and ERP/MRP systems to analyze procurement data and provide actionable insights.

Position Requirements

• Minimum of a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution or a combination of education and work experience, preference given to supply chain or engineering degrees
• Minimum 5 years procurement experience in a dynamic environment with preference for automotive procurement.
• Strong relationships with Tier 1 and Tier 2 suppliers in the automotive supply chain highly desirable.
• Proven experience in procurement for OEMs, including sourcing raw materials, electronic components, steel, engines, and tires.
• Deep understanding of OEM supply chain operations, JIT models, and supplier performance metrics.
• Understanding of Product Lifecycle Management, Configuration Management, Configuration Control, NPI and production control.
• Experience with IMP/IMS, risk management, configuration management, requirements management processes
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel (VLOOKUPs, pivot tables, advanced formulas) and familiarity with ERP/MRP systems.
• Exceptional analytical, problem-solving, and negotiation skills
• Knowledge of OEM-specific quality and compliance requirements, including ISO/TS certifications and APQP processes.

Work Environment

This is an onsite position based in Riverside, CA and requires being onsite.

Benefits

• Comprehensive benefits package: Medical (including FSA & HSA), dental, vision, life and disability insurance, EAP, mental health, and wellness programs
• 401(k) with employer match
• Paid time off and twelve (12) paid holidays
• Employee referral program
• Career growth and development opportunities

Career Growth at ENC

We believe great careers and leaders are built from within. Many of our team members have advanced into roles that lead or into specialized technical positions. We invest in hands-on training, skill development, and long-term career pathways within manufacturing operations.

Equal Opportunity Employer

ElDorado National California Inc. (ENC) is an equal opportunity employer and considers all qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, genetic information, or any other protected class under applicable federal, state, and local laws. We are committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace where all employees feel valued and respected.

ENC takes affirmative action to employ and advance employment opportunities for minorities, women, protected veterans, and individuals with disabilities. We actively encourage qualified candidates from all backgrounds to apply and join our team.

ENC is also committed to ensuring that individuals with disabilities have equal access to opportunities. If you require a reasonable accommodation to complete the application process, please contact HR Department for assistance.

In accordance with California's wage transparency law (Senate Bill 1162), we are committed to pay equity and transparency. The salary range reflected on the job positing is our good faith estimate of what we expect to pay for this role at the time of posting. While we do not typically hire at the top of the salary range, initial offers are based on the candidate’s qualifications and experience, with opportunities for growth and increases over time.