Manufacturing Buyer

About X-nautX-naut designs and manufactures active cooling and mounting systems for iPads used in the field, built to keep tablets running when failure is not an option. We serve first responders, fleet and field operations, and aviation, with more than 200 departments running on our hardware. Founded in 2017 and based in Long Beach, we design and build in California.We are hiring a Buyer to own supplier sourcing, purchasing, and inventory for our production line. You place the orders, qualify the suppliers, and keep inventory accurate, so the right parts are on the shelf when production needs them and nothing stops the line.What you will doSource suppliers for the parts, materials, and services our builds depend on, request competitive quotes, and negotiate pricing, terms, and lead times.Qualify suppliers before they are approved, verify OEM or authorized-distributor status where it matters, and maintain the Approved Supplier List.Make sure every purchase order carries the right terms, including certificate of conformance, traceability, and quality flow-down requirements where they apply.Place and manage purchase orders in our ERP (SOS Inventory), confirm them with suppliers, and track and expedite deliveries so dates hold.Review purchase requisitions from the team and route them for approval within the company's spending authority limits.Manage backorders and supply gaps, and keep production and planning informed on any part at risk of running short.Own inventory accuracy in SOS through regular cycle counts, clean bin locations, and reliable reorder points and safety stock.Keep the item master and part records current in SOS as parts, revisions, and suppliers change.Coordinate with Receiving so incoming shipments are checked in, inspected, and put away against the right purchase order.Run weekly purchase planning alongside the Production Manager, reviewing demand, inventory, and the production schedule to time every order to its lead time.Set up approved alternate parts so production has a qualified backup ready when a primary supplier is short or a better option comes along.Support make-to-buy and part changeover projects with Engineering and Production, sourcing new items and planning the switch without disrupting active builds.Weigh product cost and margin in every buying decision, pursue cost reductions through supplier comparisons and negotiation, and flag purchase price variances.Account for landed cost, including freight and duty, so part costs reflect the true delivered cost.Work with Accounting, Production, and Engineering on cost changes, and keep BOM and item costs current.Monitor supplier performance on quality and on-time delivery, flag problems early, and drive corrective actions to close them out.What you will bringThree or more years of purchasing or procurement experience in a manufacturing or assembly environment.A track record of sourcing and qualifying suppliers and negotiating pricing, terms, and lead times.Comfort working in an ERP or MRP system and in spreadsheets, including reorder points, safety stock, and demand and lead-time calculations.The ability to read bills of materials, part numbers, and basic engineering specs and drawings.An understanding of how purchasing decisions affect product cost and gross margin, including BOM and product costing, landed cost, and purchase price variance. You do not need to be an accountant, but you should think in terms of cost and margin, not just price.Strong organization and follow-through, with the discipline to track many open orders at once and close the loop every time.Clear, direct communication with suppliers and the production team.Experience with SOS Inventory and Confluence is preferred.Compensation$40 to $45 per hour, depending on experience. Full-time, onsite in Long Beach, CA.