Purchasing Specialist

Key Responsibilities

• Partner closely with Engineering and Operations/Supply Chain teams to understand purchasing requirements.
• Review purchase requests for completeness, urgency, and supplier selection.
• Request and evaluate supplier quotations for pricing, lead time, and commercial terms.
• Negotiate pricing, lead times, delivery schedules, and purchasing terms with suppliers.
• Manage purchase orders accurately and on schedule.
• Monitor open purchase orders and proactively follow up with suppliers to ensure on-time delivery.
• Communicate order status, delivery risks, shortages, and schedule changes to internal stakeholders.
• Resolve supplier issues related to pricing discrepancies, delayed shipments, order changes, or quality concerns in partnership with Engineering and Operations/Supply Chain.
• Coordinate with Operations/Supply Chain to ensure timely receipt and movement of purchased materials.
• Work with Finance team to maintain accurate purchasing records, supplier information, and procurement documentation within ERP and purchasing systems.
• Support supplier onboarding and maintain positive supplier relationships.
• Help improve procurement workflows, purchasing processes, and reporting as the company scales.
• Assist with inventory replenishment and purchasing planning as needed.

Preferred Skills

• Experience purchasing semiconductor, photonics, optics, precision mechanical components, electronics, PCB assemblies, laboratory equipment, or custom fabricated parts.
• Experience working with CMs, EMS providers, machine shops, and prototype suppliers.
• Familiarity with ERP/MRP systems such as NetSuite, SAP, Oracle, Microsoft Dynamics, or similar platforms.
• Strong Excel and data analysis skills.
• Experience supporting NPI or R&D organizations.

Required Skills

• 3 - 7+ years of purchasing, procurement, buyer, or supply chain experience in hardware manufacturing, semiconductor, electronics, photonics, or related industries.
• Experience managing purchase orders from request through delivery.
• Demonstrated experience negotiating pricing, lead times, and commercial terms with suppliers.
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage dozens of active purchase orders simultaneously.
• Experience working cross-functionally with Engineering, Operations, Manufacturing, and Supply Chain teams.
• Excellent follow-up skills and a proactive approach to resolving supplier issues.
• High attention to detail and strong documentation practices.
• Comfortable working in a rapidly changing startup environment where priorities evolve quickly.