Senior Buyer

Position Title: Senior Buyer

Work Location: Pleasanton, CA 94588, USA

Assignment Duration: 4+ months

Work Arrangement: Onsite

Position Summary:

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.

Background & Context:

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.

Qualification & Experience:

• 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.
• 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.