Associate Buyer

About the Role

General Atomics (GA) is seeking an Associate Buyer responsible for purchasing materials, goods, and services under close supervision to support contracts, subcontracts, or internal organizations.

Key Responsibilities

• Validates purchase requisitions.
• Selects or recommends suppliers.
• Develops and solicits bids.
• Analyzes and evaluates responses.
• Negotiates prices and other terms.
• Monitors delivery.
• Maintains necessary records.
• Maintains awareness of available or potential suppliers and reviews and evaluates their operations to validate cost, quality, reliability, and ability to meet schedule and price requirements.
• Interacts with project personnel, internal customers, and suppliers.
• May interact with program management and customer representatives.
• Ensures compliance with company policies and procedures as well as applicable government regulations.
• Compiles and analyzes statistical data to determine feasibility of buying products and to establish price objectives.
• Identifies, develops, and selects qualified suppliers.
• Evaluates supplier reliability and performance.
• Coordinates competitive and sole source procurements to meet required purchase dates and prepares required support documentation (with review).
• Reviews and analyzes suppliers' bids.
• Performs cost and/or price analysis.
• Follows up, expedites, and negotiates changes relative to delivery and supplier performance.
• Maintains professional relationship with internal and external customers and suppliers.
• Observes all laws, regulations, and other applicable obligations wherever and whenever business is conducted on behalf of the Company.
• Works in a safe manner in accordance with established operating procedures and practices.
• Performs other duties as assigned or required.

Requirements & Tech Stack

• Strong computer skills.

Qualifications

• Typically requires an associate's degree in business administration or related discipline.
• Equivalent professional purchasing experience may be substituted in lieu of education.
• Customer focused.
• Ability to provide solutions to a range of routine purchasing problems.
• Good communication and presentation skills to accurately document and report findings.
• Good interpersonal skills to effectively interact with employees, managers, and customers.
• Ability to organize, schedule, and coordinate multiple work phases.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team is essential.
• Ability to work extended hours as required.