Buyer, Senior

Job Title: Buyer, Senior
Location (On-site, Remote, or Hybrid?): Pleasanton, CA (onsite)
Contract Duration: 1 year
Work Hours: 8a - 5p

Description:
The Senior Buyer is responsible for strategic sourcing, procurement, supplier management, and inventory planning in support of medical device manufacturing operations. This position plays a critical role in ensuring the timely availability of materials, components, and services while maintaining compliance with FDA, ISO 13485, and company quality requirements. The Senior Buyer partners closely with Manufacturing, Engineering, Quality, Regulatory Affairs, and Finance to support production schedules, new product introductions, and continuous improvement initiatives.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage procurement activities for direct materials, components, assemblies, and indirect goods/services supporting medical device manufacturing.
• Develop and execute sourcing strategies that optimize cost, quality, delivery, and supplier performance.
• Negotiate pricing, contracts, long-term agreements, and supplier terms and conditions.
• Create, issue, and manage purchase orders through ERP/MRP systems.
• Monitor supplier delivery performance and proactively address supply chain risks or shortages.
• Partner with Supplier Quality and Regulatory teams to ensure suppliers meet FDA, ISO 13485, GMP, and internal quality requirements.
• Support supplier qualification, onboarding, audits, and corrective action activities.
• Collaborate with Engineering and Operations teams to support New Product Introduction (NPI), product transfers, and design changes.
• Analyze demand forecasts, inventory levels, and production requirements to maintain material availability while minimizing excess inventory.
• Lead supplier performance reviews and drive continuous improvement initiatives.
• Identify alternate sources of supply and develop risk mitigation strategies for critical components.
• Support cost-reduction initiatives through supplier negotiations, value engineering, and strategic sourcing activities.
• Maintain procurement records and ensure compliance with company policies and regulatory requirements.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Business Administration, Engineering, Operations Management, or a related field.
• 5+ years of purchasing, sourcing, or procurement experience within a medical device, biotechnology, pharmaceutical, or regulated manufacturing environment or other.
• Experience managing direct materials and contract manufacturers.
• Strong understanding of FDA-regulated manufacturing environments and supplier quality requirements.
• Experience with ERP/MRP systems such as Oracle, SAP, NetSuite, or JD Edwards.
• Advanced Microsoft Excel skills, including data analysis and reporting.
• Excellent negotiation, communication, and supplier relationship management skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience supporting Class II or Class III medical device manufacturing.
• Knowledge of FDA 21 CFR Part 820, ISO 13485, GMP, and supplier quality systems.
• Professional certifications such as CPSM, CPM, CSCP, or APICS certifications.
• Experience with international sourcing and global supplier management.
• Experience supporting contract manufacturing organizations (CMOs) and contract manufacturers.
• 100% onsite. Potential to extend for right candidate but no guarantees.