Procurement Buyer

Procurement Buyer

Location: Northridge, CA (100% On-Site)
Duration: 3-Month W2 Assignment (potential to extend/convert)
Pay Rate: $56.00-$58.00/hour

Position Overview
On behalf of our client, a leading pharmaceutical and drug delivery manufacturing company, we are seeking an experienced Procurement Buyer II to support production operations by managing the procurement of direct materials in a highly regulated manufacturing environment.
This role is responsible for developing and executing procurement strategies that ensure continuity of supply while balancing cost, quality, lead time, and supplier performance. The ideal candidate will independently evaluate suppliers, negotiate commercial agreements, mitigate supply risks, and collaborate cross-functionally to support manufacturing operations. This is an excellent opportunity for a procurement professional who thrives in a fast-paced environment and enjoys making data-driven decisions that directly impact business performance.
Key Responsibilities

• Independently manage procurement activities for direct materials supporting production operations.
• Develop and execute sourcing strategies that optimize cost, quality, delivery, and supply continuity.
• Evaluate supplier capabilities, negotiate pricing and commercial agreements, and manage supplier relationships.
• Identify supply chain risks and implement mitigation strategies, including alternate sourcing and supplier transitions.
• Analyze purchasing trends, inventory levels, demand requirements, and MRP recommendations using Microsoft D365 and other ERP systems.
• Review and prioritize purchase orders based on production schedules, lead times, inventory requirements, transportation constraints, and supplier capacity.
• Issue and manage purchase orders while ensuring timely supplier confirmations and on-time delivery performance.
• Monitor supplier performance using metrics and reporting tools, including Power BI, and drive corrective actions to achieve Class A supplier performance.
• Investigate and resolve supply exceptions through expediting, supplier escalation, inventory reallocation, or alternate sourcing strategies.
• Provide material availability updates, lead time guidance, and procurement recommendations to internal stakeholders.
• Support supplier quality initiatives, including Supplier Corrective Action Reports (SCARs) and Corrective and Preventive Actions (CAPAs), while coordinating resolution efforts.
• Process product and material changes within the Quality Management System while ensuring compliance with regulatory and operational requirements.

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain, Business, Operations, or a related field with 5+ years of procurement experience, or a Master's degree with 3+ years of related experience.
• Minimum 3 years of procurement experience within a highly regulated industry such as pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, medical devices, or a similar manufacturing environment.
• Experience using Microsoft Dynamics 365 (D365) for MRP and procurement planning.
• Experience utilizing Power BI for reporting and analytics.
• Strong experience with ERP systems, sourcing, purchasing, supplier management, and contract negotiations.
• Working knowledge of Incoterms 2020.
• Advanced Microsoft Office skills, particularly Excel.
• Experience working with Quality Management Systems and online procurement platforms.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, Kaizen, or other Continuous Improvement methodologies.
• APICS, ASCM, CIPS, or ISM certification (or coursework toward certification) preferred.
• Experience driving supplier performance improvements and cost savings initiatives.
• Knowledge of pharmaceutical, medical device, or FDA-regulated manufacturing environments.

Please submit your resume in Word or PDF format to be considered.