Buyer II

Advanced Reentry Technologies Who We Are Inversion is an aerospace and defense company pioneering advanced reentry technology to enable next-generation capabilities from space. By combining high-performance materials, precision aerodynamics, and mission-driven autonomy, Inversion is transforming reentry into an operational capability for an entirely new class of missions. The company’s highly maneuverable reentry spacecraft, Arc, is designed for rapid global cargo delivery, hypersonic testing, and other national security missions that require precise, controlled flight through the atmosphere. Arc creates an entirely new transportation domain, unlocking unprecedented speed and global reach. Headquartered in Los Angeles, Inversion designs, manufactures, and integrates its spacecraft under one roof, enabling the company to move rapidly from concept to flight. The company is backed by leading investors including Y Combinator, Spark Capital, and Lockheed Martin Ventures, with customers across the U.S. government and commercial space industry. Position Overview We are seeking a proactive and detail-oriented Buyer/Planner to join our engineering team. This role will be responsible for managing the purchasing and planning processes for all engineering-related materials, parts, and equipment that require more than just a standard online purchase. The Buyer/Planner will work closely with engineers to understand project needs, source and evaluate quotes from suppliers, ensure timely delivery, and oversee the shipping and receiving of materials. Additionally, this role will involve forecasting upcoming procurement needs to ensure the engineering team is always equipped with the right materials at the right time. Key Responsibilities Own end-to-end purchasing and material-planning execution for engineering-related materials, parts, equipment, and custom hardware, from demand identification and sourcing through delivery, receiving, and inventory updates. Partner closely with engineering teams to understand technical requirements, specifications, quantities, schedules, and upcoming program needs. Source, evaluate, and obtain competitive supplier quotations, considering cost, quality, technical capability, lead time, delivery reliability, and supplier capacity. Manage the purchasing process from requisition through purchase order placement, ensuring required approvals, documentation, and commercial terms are complete and accurate. Handle non-standard procurement needs, including custom components, fabricated hardware, specialized materials, and equipment that cannot be acquired through standard purchasing channels. Track purchase orders, supplier commitments, shipments, and deliveries; proactively identify and resolve schedule delays, quality concerns, quantity discrepancies, and logistics issues. Coordinate shipping and receiving activities to ensure materials arrive on time, in acceptable condition, and with appropriate supporting documentation. Maintain accurate procurement, delivery, inventory, and supplier records to support engineering execution, cost tracking, reporting, and audit readiness. Develop and maintain material forecasts in partnership with engineering teams, identifying future procurement requirements early enough to protect program schedules and avoid material shortages. Support inventory planning by helping maintain appropriate stock levels for commonly used engineering materials, parts, and supplies while minimizing excess inventory and obsolescence risk. Build and maintain strong working relationships with suppliers and vendors, negotiating favorable pricing, lead times, payment terms, and delivery commitments. Monitor and evaluate supplier performance across quality, responsiveness, cost, delivery, and service; drive corrective actions or alternative sourcing when performance does not meet program needs. Identify opportunities for cost savings, lead-time reduction, supplier consolidation, process improvement, and improv…

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