Job Description

Sr. Buyer

Department: Supply Chain & Procurement

Employment Type: Full Time

Location: Hawthorne, California

Reporting To: Aviva Buller

Compensation: $105,000 - $136,000 / year

Astrolab is The Lunar Operations Company. We design and build the systems and hardware the lunar economy will come to depend on — rovers, power, and data networks for sustained operations on the Moon. We are focused on the problems that must be solved before the next chapter of human exploration can scale. The Moon does not forgive untested assumptions. The people who work here know that, and they wouldn't have it any other way.

As a Sr. Buyer at Astrolab, you will be responsible for sourcing, negotiating, and purchasing materials, components, and services needed to support our engineering and operations teams. This role is crucial in maintaining the supply chain for our lunar rovers, balancing cost, quality, and delivery timelines to meet our project needs. You will collaborate closely with suppliers, internal teams, and strategic partners to ensure that Astrolab’s success. You will report to the Director of Procurement & Supply Chain.

What you'll do:

Key Responsibilities

Develop and execute commodity strategies to support new product introduction (NPI) and production while optimizing cost, quality, and delivery
Perform supplier sourcing, RFx management, contract negotiations, and should-cost analyses to support make-versus-buy decisions and long-term sourcing strategies
Manage purchase orders, supplier performance, delivery schedules, and recovery efforts to ensure on-time material availability
Evaluate supplier capabilities, capacity, financial health, and operational performance through assessments and site visits
Partner with engineering, production, finance, and other cross-functional teams to align procurement activities with program schedules, budgets, and technical requirements
Negotiate commercial terms, technical requirements, intellectual property, export compliance, and other contractual provisions while ensuring compliance with company policies and regulatory requirements
Drive cost reduction, inventory optimization, and procurement process improvements while presenting sourcing recommendations and business cases to executive leadership

What you'll bring:

Basic Qualifications

Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Business, Engineering, Operations Management, or a closely related discipline and 3+ years of professional experience in procurement, purchasing, or supply chain management; OR 6+ years of professional experience in procurement, purchasing, or supply chain management in lieu of a bachelor's degree.
Experience sourcing suppliers and negotiating contracts
Experience managing multiple procurement projects while using procurement software and Microsoft Excel

Preferred Qualifications

Experience with direct procurement in the aerospace, automotive, or other highly regulated manufacturing industries
Experience implementing or improving procurement processes, including ERP, MRP, or inventory management systems
Experience supporting supplier performance, cost reduction, and continuous improvement initiatives
Experience analyzing procurement data to support sourcing decisions and operational efficiency
Knowledge of strategic sourcing, supplier relationship management, and contract administration
Strong analytical, problem-solving, and cross-functional collaboration skills

Additional Responsibilities

Availability for periodic offsite field visits and associated travel

Benefits and Perks

Join a team of best-in-class engineers building the foundation of planetary surface exploration
Equity ownership in the company
Comprehensive health benefits, including medical, dental, vision, and mental health support
401(k) plan with company match
Flexible PTO and parental leave
Home office set up reimbursement
Weekly lunch stipend, plus complimentary snacks and beverages on-site
Once a month social hour on-site with food and drinks

About Astrolab

Venturi Astrolab, Inc. (Astrolab) is pioneering new ways to explore and operate on distant planetary bodies. We are singularly focused on designing, building and operating a fleet of multi-purpose commercial planetary rovers to extend and enhance humanity’s presence in the solar system.

Headquartered in Hawthorne, California, we are an American-owned and American-operated small business. Our team has more than five decades of experience in terrestrial and planetary robotics, electric vehicles, human spaceflight, and human intelligence field operations. Our stellar team, strategic partnerships with cutting-edge companies and institutions combine with our world-class manufacturing, integration and test facility will enable the delivery of lunar and Mars mobility solutions at maximum reliability, flexibility and cost effectiveness.

Having a strong, diverse, and inspired team is essential to accomplishing our bold mission. Employees are our biggest asset, and we are deeply committed to them and our values.

At Astrolab we…

Demonstrate and inspire trust. Interactions are direct, honest, and respectful. We are fair and transparent with what we do and why.

Thrive in balance. Balance gives us perspective and keeps us motivated and inspired. We commit to rewarding work and a fulfilling personal life.

Seek diverse perspectives. We ask questions, engage in productive debate and offer alternatives to ensure our solutions and products are robust and a reflection of our collective best.

Move with purpose. Quality and reliability are accomplished through efficient ideation and iteration. We act with a sense of urgency and deliver what we promise, always with the big picture in mind.

Make an impact. We intentionally move our community and industry into the future through our work, practices, and actions.

Check out our website for current openings and help us drive the future of planetary exploration & development!

Industry

Aviation & Aerospace

Company Size

51-200 employees

Headquarters

Hawthorne, California

Year Founded

2019

Website

astrolab.space

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