Sr Electronics Buyer

Job Description

Job Description

Immediate Start

Onsite | M-F | Chatsworth, CA

ITAR Compliance Required - US Citizens or legal US permanent residents

Compensation $75K-$80K

Summary

The Senior Buyer is responsible for the procurement of electronic components and related materials required to support PCBA production, ensuring parts are accurately sourced, ordered, and delivered to meet build schedules and customer commitments. The Senior Buyer works closely with Project Management, Planning, Engineering, Quality, Receiving, and Production, and interfaces directly with external customers and suppliers to keep orders on schedule and meet all delivery commitments. This role serves as a key member of the Customer Focus Team and supports high-profile accounts such as Boeing, Raytheon, and Danbury. The Senior Buyer is expected to demonstrate strong ownership, attention to detail, sound negotiation skills, and clear, professional communication. Each Buyer manages procurement activities for assigned customer accounts and collaborates across departments to maintain efficient production flow and exceptional customer satisfaction.

Primary Responsibilities

• Source and purchase electronic components and related materials in accordance with customer Bills of Materials (BOMs), build schedules, and committed ship dates
• Create, issue, and manage purchase orders (POs) in ESC’s Epicor ERP system, ensuring accuracy of part numbers, revisions, quantities, pricing, and delivery dates
• Negotiate pricing, lead times, payment terms, and delivery commitments with suppliers, distributors, and franchised vendors to achieve cost, quality, and schedule targets
• Review MRP demand and planning signals to determine purchasing requirements and place timely orders that align material availability with production needs
• Manage the open PO backlog, confirm order acknowledgements, and expedite or de-expedite deliveries as needed to support changing demand
• Identify and pursue cost-reduction opportunities, alternate sources, and last-time/end-of-life (EOL) buys while maintaining approved vendor and component requirements
• Interface directly with external customers as a key procurement contact, providing material status and supporting their delivery commitments
• Team closely with Project/Program Management to align purchasing activity with program milestones, customer priorities, and committed ship dates
• Participate in customer and internal weekly meetings to provide clear updates on material availability, PO status, and component lead times
• Provide timely purchasing and material status to Project Managers, Planners, and other stakeholders
• Operate as a key contributing member of the Customer Focus Team, collaborating with Program Management, Planning, Production, Engineering, Receiving, Stockroom, and Document Control
• Proactively identify and resolve electronic component shortages, including recommending expedites, alternates, or substitutions when appropriate
• Partner with the Receiving department to ensure incoming materials are processed, inspected, and made available in a timely manner to support production schedules
• Track and drive Last Part In (LPI) to ensure all materials are available to support on-time delivery
• Use ERP/MRP (Epicor) and planning tools to forecast potential material and capacity constraints and recommend purchasing solutions (e.g., buffer stock, alternate sourcing, or schedule adjustments)
• Coordinate with Document Control to ensure customer part numbers and revisions are correctly set up in the system and aligned with customer Bills of Materials (BOMs)
• Work with the Quality department to address supplier-related holds, inspections, or nonconformances that may impact material availability or delivery schedules, and manage supplier corrective actions as needed
• Develop and maintain supplier relationships and support the Approved Vendor List (AVL), monitoring supplier performance for quality, delivery, and responsiveness

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent
• Minimum 3 to 5 years of experience as an electronics buyer, purchasing agent, or procurement specialist
• Strong, hands-on experience with ERP/MRP systems; experience with Epicor is highly preferred
• Advanced working knowledge of Microsoft Excel (e.g., VLOOKUP, pivot tables, data analysis)
• Experience in the manufacturing industry ; contract manufacturing preferred
• Demonstrated negotiation, sourcing, and supplier management skills
• Able to work and communicate effectively with cross-functional teams and external customers
• Proven ability to thrive in a fast-paced, high-mix, high-change environment
• Must be a US citizen or permanent resident

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in supply chain, Operations, Business, or related field
• EMS/PCBA procurement experience strongly preferred
• APICS (CPIM/CSCP) or ISM (CPSM) certification
• Working knowledge of electronic component types, datasheets, and franchised distribution channels
• Experience managing component shortages, allocations, end-of-life (EOL), and counterfeit-mitigation processes
• Familiarity with aerospace/defense supply chain requirements (e.g., ITAR/EAR)
• Ability to read and interpret assembly drawings and Bills of Materials (BOMs)

Established in 1994, Electronic Source Company (ESC) provides quick response electronic manufacturing services utilizing world-class manufacturing equipment, practices, and technology. The printed circuit board assemblies ESC builds go into end products ranging from fiber optic transmitters and transceivers to missile guidance and satellite systems. Having grown from a staff of 12 employees in 2001 to the current employment of 160+, ESC is a fast-growing and highly successful manufacturing company.

Company Description

Established in 1994, Electronic Source Company (ESC) provides quick response electronic manufacturing services utilizing world-class manufacturing equipment, practices, and technology. The printed circuit board assemblies ESC builds go into end products ranging from fiber optic transmitters and transceivers to missile guidance and satellite systems. Having grown from a staff of 12 employees in 2001 to the current employment of 160+, ESC is a fast-growing and highly successful manufacturing company.