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Salary: USD 100,000 - 120,000 / annual
Velo3D is seeking a Senior Buyer to own strategic and tactical procurement for critical materials and services supporting production of the Sapphire metal additive manufacturing system. This role operates in a high-mix, low-volume capital equipment environment and extends well beyond PO execution to include commodity strategy development, supplier negotiations, cost and risk reduction, and cross-functional partnership with Engineering, Operations, and Quality.
Key Responsibilities:
- Own end-to-end procurement for assigned commodities including precision machined components, electromechanical assemblies, optics/lasers, sheet metal, weldments, and metal powders
- Lead complex supplier negotiations focused on cost, lead time, quality, payment terms, and risk reduction; negotiate and administer long-term agreements (LTAs), MSAs, and NDAs
- Develop and execute commodity sourcing strategies, including dual/second-source qualification and supply base rationalization
- Perform should-cost analysis and total cost of ownership (TCO) modeling to drive fact-based negotiations
- Drive cost-reduction and value-engineering initiatives in partnership with Engineering and Operations
- Serve as escalation point for supplier performance, delivery issues, and quality concerns; lead corrective action and continuous improvement efforts using supplier scorecards
- Ensure materials availability to support production plans while optimizing inventory investment
- Maintain and improve purchasing data integrity in ERP systems (pricing, lead times, MOQs, safety stock parameters)
- Support make/buy decisions and new product introduction (NPI) sourcing activities
- Conduct supplier site visits, business reviews, and audits as needed; travel to Fremont office regularly, up to 10% travel
- Ensure sourcing activities comply with export control regulations (ITAR/EAR) where applicable
- Mentor junior buyers and planners; contribute to supply chain policies, controls, and process improvements
Requirements:
- 5–8+ years of progressive procurement or strategic buying experience in a manufacturing environment
- Proven track record leading supplier negotiations and managing strategic supplier relationships, including contract negotiation (LTAs, MSAs)
- Strong understanding of supply chain risk management, inventory economics, and cost structures; experience with should-cost or TCO analysis
- Advanced proficiency in ERP/MRP systems and Excel, including data analysis and scenario modeling
- Ability to operate autonomously, prioritize in a fast-paced environment, and make sound decisions with incomplete information
- Strong communication, influencing, and cross-functional stakeholder management skills
