Location : Lake Forest, CA
Salary : $110,000 — $120,000
Bonus : $10/k – $15k
Position Summary
Seeking a Senior Buyer/Planner to support advanced technology programs transitioning into U.S.-based manufacturing and sustainment. This role serves as the primary supply chain owner for assigned programs and is responsible for planning, procurement, and execution across mechanical, optical, and electronic components. This position reports to the Program Manager – Advanced Technology Systems, and works closely with Program Management, Production Systems Engineering, Quality, and Engineering. The ideal candidate is highly self-directed, comfortable working independently, and able to solve supply chain problems in a fast-moving, regulated environment.
Key Responsibilities
Program Supply Chain Ownership
- Serve as the primary buyer and planner for assigned advanced technology programs.
- Develop and maintain material plans aligned with program schedules, milestones, and production ramps.
- Translate program demand into actionable procurement and planning activities.
- Identify and manage material risks affecting cost, schedule, and production readiness.
Procurement and Planning Execution
- Place and manage purchase orders for mechanical, optical, and electronic components.
- Track supplier commitments, lead times, and deliveries against program needs.
- Resolve material shortages, delays, substitutions, and allocation issues.
- Coordinate closely with internal planning and procurement teams to ensure alignment.
Supplier Coordination
- Interface directly with suppliers to manage delivery, quality, and performance issues.
- Support supplier qualification and onboarding in collaboration with Quality and Engineering.
- Drive supplier corrective actions as required to support program execution.
- Maintain awareness of supplier capacity, risks, and constraints.
Cross-Functional Collaboration
- Work closely with Program Management to align material execution with cost and schedule objectives.
- Coordinate with Production Systems Engineering to support line readiness and production flow.
- Partner with Quality Engineering on incoming inspection requirements, FAIs, and supplier quality issues.
- Support engineering changes, material substitutions, and configuration updates.
Systems and Reporting
- Ensure accurate and timely entry and maintenance of purchasing and planning data in company systems.
- Support reporting related to material status, shortages, and supply chain risk.
- Maintain clear documentation of material decisions and actions.
Qualifications
Education and Experience
- Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain, Business, Engineering, or a related discipline.
- 3-7 years of experience in buying, planning, or supply chain roles within regulated manufacturing environments.
Supply Chain Background
- Experience procuring complex mechanical, optical, and electronic components.
- Familiarity with long-lead, low-volume, high-mix production environments.
- Experience supporting production ramps from LRIP to FRP is preferred.
Skills and Attributes
- Highly self-driven and comfortable working independently.
- Strong problem-solving skills and ability to operate under schedule pressure.
- Effective communicator able to work across program, engineering, manufacturing, and supplier teams.
- Organized, detail-oriented, and execution-focused.
Why Us?
Competitive Benefits: Medical plan coverage, 401k plan with employer matching, Paid time-off, Tuition reimbursement, Profit sharing.
High-impact mission support: Your work contributes to critical surveillance platforms used by US DoD, DHS, NASA, and international clients.
Modular, future-proof design: Work with systems built for long-term operation and upgradeability.
Quality-driven environment: Operate within AS9100D and ISO 9001 certified processes.
