Buyer
Location: Torrance, CA
Duration: 6 months — Temp-to-Hire is the goal
Compensation: $43–$46/hour + PTO; optional benefits available
Schedule: 9/80 schedule; 8:00 AM start
Work Arrangement: Hybrid — minimum 3 days onsite per week
Position Summary
The Buyer will manage the procurement of goods and services required to support organizational and program requirements within a government and defense contracting environment. This position oversees purchasing activities throughout the acquisition lifecycle and works closely with program teams, suppliers, contractors, and other stakeholders to ensure materials, equipment, and services are procured on time, in compliance with applicable requirements, and at competitive cost.
The ideal candidate will have hands-on experience with Oracle, Contractor Purchasing System Reviews (CPSR), and Defense Contract Management Agency (DCMA) requirements, along with a strong understanding of federal procurement regulations.
Required Experience
Candidates must have:
- Hands-on Oracle experience in a purchasing or procurement environment
- Experience supporting or working within a CPSR-compliant purchasing system
- Experience with DCMA requirements, reviews, or audits
- Working knowledge of FAR and DFARS
- Ability to work onsite at least 3 days per week
- U.S. citizenship
Key Responsibilities
Procurement & Acquisition
- Manage procurement activities for materials, equipment, and services supporting program and business requirements.
- Collaborate with program managers and internal stakeholders to develop procurement strategies, define requirements, and establish acquisition timelines.
- Prepare and issue procurement documents, including RFPs, RFQs, and RFIs.
- Process and maintain purchasing activities using Oracle.
- Conduct market research to identify qualified suppliers, emerging technologies, industry trends, and sourcing opportunities.
- Ensure procurement activities comply with applicable federal regulations, company policies, and organizational requirements.
Supplier Management
- Evaluate supplier capabilities, qualifications, pricing, and past performance to support supplier selection.
- Conduct supplier assessments and site visits as required.
- Develop and maintain productive relationships with suppliers, contractors, and other external partners.
- Work with suppliers to resolve performance, quality, delivery, pricing, and contractual issues.
- Identify opportunities to improve supplier performance and procurement processes.
Negotiation & Contract Administration
- Negotiate pricing, terms, conditions, and contractual requirements with suppliers.
- Perform cost and price analyses to evaluate the reasonableness and affordability of supplier proposals.
- Ensure purchase orders, subcontracts, and related agreements comply with applicable federal acquisition requirements and company policies.
- Monitor supplier and contract performance, deliverables, and compliance with established terms and conditions.
- Address procurement and contractual issues throughout the acquisition lifecycle.
Government Compliance & CPSR Support
- Perform purchasing activities in accordance with FAR and DFARS requirements.
- Maintain procurement processes and documentation consistent with CPSR requirements.
- Ensure purchasing files contain appropriate documentation and demonstrate compliance with established procedures.
- Support DCMA reviews, audits, and compliance activities related to the purchasing system.
- Maintain accurate, complete, and audit-ready procurement records.
- Assist with corrective actions and process improvements resulting from internal reviews, CPSR findings, or DCMA requirements.
- Maintain awareness of applicable government contracting regulations, policies, and compliance requirements.
Cost & Price Analysis
- Perform cost and price analyses in support of purchasing and supplier selection decisions.
- Evaluate supplier proposals for price reasonableness and overall value.
- Monitor procurement expenditures and applicable budget requirements.
- Document pricing determinations and negotiation outcomes in accordance with established procedures.
Cross-Functional Collaboration
- Partner with program management, finance, legal, contracts, quality, and other internal teams throughout the procurement process.
- Communicate procurement requirements, supplier performance, schedules, risks, and potential issues to stakeholders.
- Prepare reports, presentations, and briefings regarding procurement status and findings.
- Support continuous improvement initiatives related to purchasing, supplier management, compliance, and acquisition processes.
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Supply Chain Management, or a related field.
- Professional experience in procurement, purchasing, supply chain, subcontracts, or a related function.
- Hands-on Oracle experience within a purchasing or procurement environment.
- Experience working within a CPSR-compliant purchasing system and supporting Contractor Purchasing System Reviews.
- Experience working with DCMA requirements, reviews, or audits.
- Working knowledge of FAR and DFARS.
- Experience preparing and maintaining compliant procurement documentation.
- Experience with supplier negotiations, sourcing, and contract or purchase order administration.
- Ability to perform cost and price analysis.
- Strong negotiation, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
- Strong attention to detail and ability to maintain accurate, audit-ready purchasing files.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
- Ability to manage multiple priorities and procurement activities simultaneously.
- Ability to collaborate effectively with suppliers, program teams, contracts, finance, and other stakeholders.
- U.S. citizenship required.
- Ability to obtain and maintain a security clearance, if required.
- Ability to work onsite at least 3 days per week.
Preferred Qualifications
- Previous procurement or purchasing experience within the defense, aerospace, or federal government contracting industry.
- Experience supporting Department of Defense programs.
- Direct experience participating in a DCMA CPSR.
- Advanced knowledge of FAR and DFARS purchasing requirements.
- Experience performing detailed cost and price analyses.
- Professional procurement or contracts certification, such as:
- Certified Professional in Supply Management (CPSM)
- Certified Federal Contracts Manager (CFCM)
- Advanced degree in business, supply chain, contracts, or a related discipline.
Key Skills
Procurement & Purchasing:
Oracle • Government Procurement • Defense Procurement • Federal Contracting • Purchasing • Supply Chain Management • Strategic Sourcing
Government Compliance:
CPSR • DCMA • FAR • DFARS • Procurement Compliance • Audit-Ready Documentation
Supplier & Contract Management:
Supplier Management • Supplier Negotiation • Contract Administration • RFP / RFQ / RFI • Cost & Price Analysis • Price Reasonableness
HRU is an EOE (Equal Opportunity Employer)
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