Senior Production Buyer

Locus Robotics is a global leader in warehouse automation, delivering unmatched flexibility and unlimited throughput, and actionable intelligence to optimize operations. Powered by LocusONE, an AI-driven platform, our advanced autonomous mobile robots seamlessly integrate into existing warehouse environments to enhance efficiency, reduce costs, and scale operations with ease. Trusted by over 150 industry leading retail, healthcare, 3PL, and industrial brands in over 350 sites worldwide, Locus enables warehouse operators to achieve rapid ROI, minimize labor costs, and continuously improve productivity. Our industry-first Robots-as-a-Service (RaaS) model ensures ongoing innovation, scalability, and cost-effectiveness without the burden of significant capital investments. With proven capabilities in diverse workflows—from picking and replenishment to sorting and pack-out—Locus Robotics empowers businesses to meet peak demands and adapt to ever-changing operational needs. Are you a strategic buyer ready to make an impact? As a Senior Production Buyer, you’ll lead production procurement to ensure a reliable, cost-effective flow of materials that keeps our manufacturing operations running seamlessly. In this pivotal role, you’ll strengthen supplier partnerships, drive cost and lead-time efficiencies, and maintain material readiness to meet our production goals. This is an onsite role based out of our Wilmington, MA Corporate Headquarters. The role also includes up to 10% travel to contract manufacturing suppliers throughout New England. Responsibilities Execute and manage procurement activities to ensure continuous material availability to meet production schedules across multiple product lines. Develop and maintain strong relationships with key suppliers, driving accountability for quality, delivery, and cost performance through regular reviews and corrective-action follow-up. Manage the Return-to-Vendor (RTV) process, coordinating with Quality, Warehouse, and suppliers to ensure timely disposition, replacement, and credit resolution for nonconforming materials. Analyze spend data, negotiate pricing, and identify opportunities for cost reduction, lead-time improvement, supply base consolidation, and execute standard cost roll up. Collaborate with the Sourcing team to identify and qualify new suppliers, support dual-sourcing strategies, and transition suppliers from NPI to production. Monitor open orders and expedite as needed to support production continuity; proactively address shortages and communicate risk to stakeholders. Maintain accurate purchase order data in the ERP system, including pricing, delivery dates, and supplier information; support planning accuracy through data integrity. Partner closely with Planning, Production, and Engineering to ensure alignment on priorities, schedule changes, and engineering updates impacting supply. Collaborate with engineering and documentation control to review and approve Engineering Change Orders as well as ensuring material is ordered to support implementation. Balance inventory levels to achieve cost and service goals while minimizing excess and obsolescence. Support Lean and operational excellence initiatives within the Supply Chain organization to enhance efficiency and supplier reliability. Provide data analysis and reporting on supplier performance, material availability, and key procurement KPIs to drive strategic decisions. Create non-inventory purchase orders from purchase requisitions to support business requirements. Qualifications Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management, Business, Engineering, or related field. 5+ years of experience in procurement, sourcing, or materials management in a manufacturing environment, preferably in robotics, automation, or electronics industries. Proven experience managing suppliers including Contract Manufacturers, for key commodities such as electro-mechanical assemblies, PCBAs, motors, sheet-metal, plastics, castings, and machined components. Strong negotiation and contract management skills with a focus on total cost of ownership. Solid understanding of manufacturing processes, quality standards, and engineering drawings. Advanced proficiency in Excel (pivot tables, lookups, conditional logic, macros) and ERP/MRP systems such as NetSuite, SAP, or Oracle. Knowledge of Lean principles and continuous improvement methodologies. Demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines in a fast-paced production environment. Proficient English communication skills, both written and verbal, with the ability to engage diverse audiences effectively. Additional Information Locus Robotics is an Equal Opportunity Employer. The expected base salary range for this role is $83K - $133K annually, informed by external market data. Actual offers will depend on factors such as the candidate’s experience, education, training, key or critical skills, geographic location, and current market and business conditions Application Fraud Detection Notice: To help maintain a fair and secure hiring process, Locus Robotics may use AI-assisted and other automated tools to detect suspected fraud, misrepresentation, or misuse of the application process. Hiring decisions are not made solely by automated means unless otherwise disclosed where required by law