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Shift5 is seeking a Senior Buyer & Strategic Sourcing Specialist to own and scale procurement and supply chain operations. This role combines tactical purchasing execution with strategic sourcing leadership, partnering closely with Engineering, Hardware, Manufacturing, Finance, and Program teams.
Key Responsibilities:
Purchasing & Strategic Sourcing: Own end-to-end purchasing for hardware, components, and materials from requisition through delivery. Source, evaluate, and negotiate with suppliers to optimize cost, quality, lead times, and availability. Lead RFP and RFQ processes for strategic sourcing and contract manufacturing. Negotiate pricing, terms, MOQs, and payment conditions. Manage purchase orders, delivery schedules, expedites, and supplier follow-up. Partner with Engineering and Production teams on BOMs, schedules, and material needs. Support new product introductions by incorporating sourcing early in development.
Supply Chain & Risk Management: Proactively identify supply constraints, long-lead items, component obsolescence, and vendor risks before they impact programs or delivery. Monitor and manage DMSMS (Diminishing Manufacturing Sources and Material Shortages) and develop mitigation strategies including alternative sourcing and lifetime buys. Monitor inventory requirements and purchasing trends to improve availability while minimizing excess inventory. Develop and track key metrics including supplier performance, lead times, on-time delivery, purchase price variance, and material availability. Partner with Finance on budget alignment and approval processes. Ship production hardware and support equipment to customers and field teams.
Supplier Quality & Compliance: Support supplier selection, qualification, and performance management. Own Approved Supplier List (ASL) maintenance and ensure current approvals and annual re-evaluations. Maintain supplier documentation including ISO 9001/AS9100 certificates, W-9s, and vendor surveys. Ensure purchase orders include required Supplier Quality Requirements (SQRs) and applicable flowdowns. Ensure receiving documentation including packing slips, Certificates of Conformance, and inspection records are complete and properly maintained in NetSuite. Support counterfeit parts prevention and authorized distributor sourcing. Monitor Supplier Corrective Actions (SCARs) and non-conformance reports through resolution in alignment with AS9100 requirements. Ensure compliance with company, customer, contractual, and regulatory requirements.
Procurement Operations & Scalability: Maintain accurate procurement and supplier data across company systems. Improve purchasing workflows, documentation, reporting, and operating processes. Help build scalable procurement practices as the company grows. Identify and implement improvements to manual or inefficient processes. Bring greater visibility and predictability to material availability, supplier performance, and supply chain risk.
Within 6–12 months, success means taking ownership of day-to-day purchasing and strategic sourcing, creating predictability around material availability and supplier performance, surfacing supply chain risks early, strengthening supplier accountability and AS9100-aligned processes, improving procurement workflows and reporting, building strong cross-functional partnerships, and supporting continued organizational growth.
Requirements:
- 5+ years of experience in purchasing, procurement, strategic sourcing, supply chain, or related function
- Experience purchasing technical components, electronics, hardware, or manufactured goods
- Strong supplier management and negotiation experience across pricing, lead times, commercial terms, and performance
- Experience working with BOMs, purchase orders, inventory, and ERP/MRP or procurement systems
- Ability to understand technical requirements and partner effectively with Engineering and Production teams
- Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills with exceptional attention to detail
- Ability to identify risks early and operate with high degree of ownership and urgency
- Strong written and verbal communication skills
- Ability to work cross-functionally across technical, operational, and business teams
- Comfortable operating in fast-paced, high-growth environment where priorities shift quickly
- Ability to regularly work from Rosslyn, Virginia headquarters
Preferred Qualifications:
- Experience in aerospace, defense technology, government contracting, manufacturing, or another regulated industry
- Experience with NetSuite and Jira
- Experience managing RFPs, RFQs, supplier bidding processes, and commercial proposal evaluations
- Experience sourcing electronic components, PCBAs, mechanical components, contract manufacturing, or hardware-related materials
- Familiarity with FAR/DFARS requirements and government contracting procurement practices
- Experience with AS9100 supplier quality, supplier audits, or supplier performance programs
- Experience managing DMSMS and component obsolescence
- Experience building or improving procurement processes within a scaling organization
- Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Business, Operations, Engineering, or related field
