Senior Buyer (Mountain View)

Lightmatter is leading the revolution in networking for AI and enabling the next giant leaps in human progress. The company invented the world’s first 3D-stacked photonics engine, Passage™, capable of connecting thousands to millions of processors at the speed of light in extreme-scale data centers for the most advanced AI and HPC workloads.

Successfully navigating the complex semiconductor and hardware supply chain is vital to Lightmatter’s success. We are looking for a Senior Buyer who will be responsible for sourcing, negotiating, and purchasing materials and services to meet our company's operational requirements. This role requires a strategic thinker with strong analytical skills and the ability to foster strong supplier relationships.

Responsibilities 

• Create and manage purchase orders (POs) to ensure timely and accurate delivery of goods or services.
• Help manage all aspects of the day to day operations, including supplier communications, track schedules and deliverables.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with suppliers. Conduct regular supplier evaluations and manage performance metrics.
• Collaborate with internal stakeholders to understand their procurement needs. Develop purchasing plans and strategies to ensure timely availability of materials and services.
• Analyze cost structures, identify cost-saving opportunities, and implement initiatives to optimize procurement costs while maintaining quality standards.
• Ensure compliance with company policies, procedures, and regulatory requirements. 
• Prepare reports and analyze procurement data to track key performance indicators (KPIs). Use data-driven insights to inform decision-making and strategic planning.
• Continuously report challenges/risks and align with stakeholders to achieve on-time launch and improve time-to-market
• Partner with the Accounting Department to ensure proper and timely vendor payment by comparing invoices vs receipts as well as yearly inventory cycle counts. 

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Supply Chain Management, or related field with 5 years of procurement, sourcing, and/or negotiating experience 
• Strong communication skills and the ability to build and maintain effective supplier relationships.
• Strong organizational skills
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving abilities.
• Proficiency in procurement software and Microsoft Office Suite.
• Experience working with ERP systems such as Netsuite, SAP, or Oracle

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s in Business Administration, Supply Chain Management, or related field and 3 years of industry experience in procurement, sourcing, and/or negotiating
• Experience in start-up environment

Benefits

• Comprehensive Health Care Plan (Medical, Dental & Vision)
• 401k matching
• Life Insurance (Basic, Voluntary & AD&D)
• Generous Time Off (Vacation, Sick & Public Holidays)
• Paid Family Leave
• Short Term & Long Term Disability
• Training & Development
• Flexible, hybrid workplace model
• Stock Option Plan

We offer competitive compensation. The base salary range for this role, inclusive of all US locations will be from $110,000 to $130,000 determined based on location, experience, educational background, and market data.

Lightmatter recruits, employs, trains, compensates and promotes regardless of race, religion, color, national origin, sex, disability, age, veteran status, and other protected status as required by applicable law.