Senior Buyer – Manufacturing

Irvine, CA | $32.50-42.50 per hour plus potential bonus | Contract-to-Hire

Our client, a global technology manufacturer serving medical and advanced industrial markets, is seeking an experienced Senior Buyer to join its Irvine, California operation. This is a fully onsite, contract-to-hire opportunity for a strategic purchasing professional who can strengthen supplier performance, improve material availability, reduce costs, and manage supply-chain risk. The initial contract is expected to last approximately three to six months, with the potential to convert to permanent employment.

What You’ll Do

• Develop and execute short- and long-term commodity and procurement strategies.
• Negotiate pricing, cost reductions, lead times, inventory agreements, and supplier payment terms.
• Lead cost-out and margin-improvement initiatives.
• Monitor material requirements and expedite or adjust deliveries to align inventory with customer demand.
• Manage supplier relationships, performance, qualification, development, and corrective actions.
• Identify and develop new sources of supply that offer strong quality, flexibility, and competitive pricing.
• Address supply-chain risks involving long lead times, capacity constraints, sole-source suppliers, pricing, and fulfillment challenges.
• Reduce excess and obsolete inventory while supporting business continuity.
• Partner closely with Engineering, Operations, and other internal stakeholders.
• Implement vendor-managed inventory programs when appropriate.
• Manage and track supplier tooling and related investments.
• Support lean manufacturing and continuous-improvement activities.

What We’re Looking For

• Bachelor’s degree in procurement, supply chain, business, engineering, or a related technical field.
• Five or more years of purchasing or supply-chain experience within a manufacturing environment.
• Demonstrated success negotiating with suppliers and delivering measurable cost reductions.
• Experience developing commodity strategies and managing supplier performance.
• Manufacturing ERP experience; Oracle experience is a plus.
• Ability to read and interpret mechanical drawings.
• Strong analytical, negotiation, problem-solving, and business skills.
• Excellent communication and cross-functional relationship-building abilities.
• Ability to work independently, manage competing priorities, and operate with urgency in a fast-paced environment.

Additional Details

• Fully onsite at the Irvine, California facility.
• Contract-to-hire opportunity.
• Anticipated initial contract duration of approximately three to six months.
• Pay range of $40–$50 per hour.
• Less than 10% travel expected.