Senior Buyer

Company: Draper Laboratory
Location: Cambridge
Posted on: June 6, 2021

Job Description:

Overview

Draper is an independent, nonprofit research and development company headquartered in Cambridge, MA. The 1,800 employees of Draper tackle important national challenges with a promise of delivering successful and usable solutions. From military defense and space exploration to biomedical engineering, lives often depend on the solutions we provide. Our multidisciplinary teams of engineers and scientists work in a collaborative environment that inspires the cross-fertilization of ideas necessary for true innovation. For more information about Draper, visit www.draper.com.

Our work is very important to us, but so is our life outside of work. Draper supports many programs to improve work-life balance including workplace flexibility, employee clubs ranging from photography to yoga, health and finance workshops, off site social events and discounts to local museums and cultural activities. If this specific job opportunity and the chance to work at a nationally renowned R&D innovation company appeals to you, apply now www.draper.com/careers.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Draper is committed to creating a diverse environment and is proud to be an affirmative action and equal opportunity employer. We understand the value of diversity and its impact on a high-performance culture. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran status, or genetic information.

Draper is committed to providing access, equal opportunity and reasonable accommodation for individuals with disabilities in employment, its services, programs, and activities. To request reasonable accommodation, please contact hr@draper.com.

Responsibilities

This position serves as an integral member of the Contracts, Subcontracts, Procurement & Property (CSPP) department. CSPP strives to provide both its internal and external customers with solution-oriented leadership and guidance and is focused on achieving the strategic objectives of the organization while balancing risk and regulatory compliance. The ideal candidate has an interest in contributing to the success of the entire CSPP department in a fast-paced multifaceted environment.

Responsibilities will include interfacing with potential and current suppliers, writing and releasing RFP/RFQ, reviewing proposed terms & conditions and negotiating agreements. Applicant should have a keen interest in business/contract law, excellent communication skills, and the ability to develop recommendations to senior staff to support solutions to moderate to complex problems.

Primary Responsibilities

• Follows established procedures, practices, policies and Federal/State regulation to execute activities associated with purchasing goods, materials, supplies, and services to ensure terms are in the organization's best interest.
• Collaborate with program teams and senior leadership to prepare and execute complex purchases, to include but not limited to, obtaining and reviewing proposals/quotations, providing sufficient and compliant justification, and risk management strategy.
• Independently facilitating complex competitive procurement processes for goods and services in support of sponsored and internal efforts.
• Lead negotiations involving Terms of Purchase, Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) and Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS) clauses and agreements of moderate complexity.
• Manages heavy a workload to procure a variety of commodities and services.
• Conducts market research and develops requests for quotations and proposals.
• Develops new supply sources where vendors are inadequate.
• Assist company program/functional offices in the preparation and successful execution of an RFP/RFQ in a timely manner.
• Examines bids including performing price and/or cost analysis and ensures conformity with the RFP/RFQ requirements, Federal/State regulation and addresses any deviations.
• Reviews terms and conditions, identify areas that deviate from company policy and document assessment of risk and potential mitigation strategies to be reviewed with CSPP management team.
• Prepares pre-negotiation recommendations on price and terms and conditions.
• Negotiates purchase including price/cost and coordinates negotiation of terms and conditions and makes awards.
• Develop strong documentation to satisfy departmental requirements and internal and external audits including writing clear, concise, and adequate procurement summaries, documenting source selection, negotiations and price/cost analysis.
• Prepares and maintains purchasing file for electronic attachment to PO in an ERP system.
• Ensure that vendors comply with schedule and financial requirements of purchase orders, notifies vendor if not acceptable.
• Interacts with other Draper Departments (i.e., Technical, Legal, Accounting, Property, Contracts, Receiving, etc.), when necessary.
• Provides procurement counsel and advice to requisitioners.
• Responsible for the timely dissemination of pertinent information to interested and cognizant Draper personnel.
• Makes recommendations to Supervisor for streamlining the procurement process within Draper.
• Participates in special assignments from Supervisor, including government audits.
• Arranges and coordinates vendor visits and in-house meetings.
• Research issues of moderate complexity and provide recommendations for resolution.
• Assist with special projects that require significant skill, knowledge, and business acumen.
• Special assignments and cross-training (Contracts, Subcontracts, Procurement, Property) is encouraged.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree with 3-5 years of relevant experience; procurement experience.
• MA/MBA/JD preferred.
• Experience in the application of modern principles and practices of large-scale procurement and supply-chain management.
• Working knowledge of the FAR and various other Government regulations (e.g., DFARS, ITAR, etc.) related to procurement and purchasing.
• Strong negotiating experience is required.
• Able to handle multiple assignments and deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Able to quickly understand processes and ensure adherence to the same.
• Must be able to deploy a systematic approach to work, and must have an aptitude for performing work functions in a timely and well organized manner with limited oversight.
• Must possess excellent problem solving and communication skills that can be deployed to collaborate effectively with different functional teams on a variety of topics.
• Exceptional written and oral communication skills.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office.
• US Citizen with ability to obtain a government clearance.
• Assist with special projects, as required.
• Experience with an ERP system, PeopleSoft preferred.

Keywords: Draper Laboratory, Cambridge , Senior Buyer, Other , Cambridge, Massachusetts