Merchandise Buyer Assistant, Sr. jobs in Cambridge, MA

Draper is an independent, nonprofit research and development company headquartered in Cambridge, MA. The 2,000 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.

This position is an integral member of the Procurement department serving both its internal and external customers focused on achieving the organizational strategic objectives while balancing risk and regulatory compliance. Because this role involves a combination of collaborative/in-person and independent work, it will take the form of a hybrid work format, with time split between working onsite and remote.

Responsibilities will include interfacing with potential and current suppliers, writing and releasing Request for Proposals (RFP) and Requests for Quotes (RFQ), reviewing proposed terms and conditions, negotiating agreements, and developing purchase orders in accordance with program specifications and other requirements. Applicant should have a keen interest in procurement/supply chain, excellent communication skills, and the ability to develop recommendations to senior staff to support solutions for moderate to complex problems.

Primary Responsibilities

Independently facilitating complex competitive procurement processes for goods and services in support of government and sponsor funded efforts.
• Follows established procedures, practices, policies, and federal regulation to execute activities associated with purchasing goods, materials, supplies, and services to ensure terms are in the organization's best interest.
• Collaborate cross-functionally with program teams, legal, engineering, etc. 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.
• 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 supplies and services.
• Develops new supply sources where vendors are inadequate.
• Assist company program/functional offices in the market research, 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 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 the Procurement management team.
• Prepares pre-negotiation recommendations and leads negotiations on price and terms and conditions.
• 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.
• Cross-functional collaboration with other Draper departments (i.e., Engineering, Legal, Accounting, Property, Contracts, Receiving, etc.) on a regular basis.
• Provides procurement counsel and advice to requisitioners.
• Responsible for the timely dissemination of pertinent information to other functional areas and project teams.
• Makes recommendations to supervisor for streamlining the procurement process within Draper.
• Participates in special assignments from supervisor, including but not limited to, internal and external audits.
• Arranges and coordinates supplier visits and in-house meetings.
• Research issues of moderate complexity and provide recommendations for resolution.
• Special assignment requests and cross-training (Contracts, Subcontracts, Procurement, Property) are encouraged.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree with 3-5 years of relevant government procurement experience.
• Experience in the application of modern principles and practices of large-scale procurement and supply-chain management.
• Experience buying across various commodities (electronics, mechanical, PWB's, services, software, etc.)
• Working knowledge of the FAR, DFARS and various other government regulations related to procurement.
• Strong negotiating experience is required.
• 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.
• Exceptional written and oral communication skills.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office.
• US Citizen with ability to obtain a government clearance.