Buyer III

Job Summary 

Kairos Power is seeking a Buyer III to support procurement activities across Kairos Power, with a primary focus on raw material purchasing for manufacturing operations. In this role, you will partner closely with Manufacturing, Planning, Material Handling, Engineering, suppliers, and Supply Chain & Procurement (SC&P) to support material readiness, manage supplier performance, and resolve supply issues.  

We are looking for someone who takes ownership of their work, communicates openly, builds strong relationships, and is comfortable learning in an evolving manufacturing environment. The successful candidate will be supported in developing deep knowledge of Kairos' raw material supplier base and manufacturing requirements while contributing ideas and improvements as their expertise grows. 

Responsibilities 

• Manage the full procurement lifecycle for assigned raw material commodities and support general procurement activities across Kairos Power as needed, including RFQs, purchase order placement, supplier communication, and order management.
• Serve as the primary procurement point of contact for assigned raw material commodities, partnering closely with Manufacturing, Material Handling, Planning, Engineering, Finance, Legal, and SC&P leadership to support production readiness and resolve supply issues.
• Develop expertise in Kairos’ raw material program requirements, supplier capabilities, manufacturing requirements, and Kairos’ procurement processes to support effective and timely purchasing decisions.
• Organize and prioritize assigned procurement activities, monitor supplier commitments, proactively communicate risks and changing priorities, and work collaboratively with teammates and stakeholders to drive timely resolution of supply issues.
• Obtain and evaluate supplier quotations, analyze commercial terms, support negotiations, and ensure purchase orders are accurate, compliant, and aligned with company policies and contractual requirements.
• Analyze supplier performance and procurement data to identify opportunities to improve supplier reliability, inform inventory decisions, reduce risk, and support manufacturing objectives.
• Build trusted relationships with suppliers and internal stakeholders through clear, responsive communication while serving as a knowledgeable procurement resource and supporting knowledge sharing within the team.
• Proactively identify and implement practical improvements to procurement processes, supplier management practices, and cross-functional workflows that improve efficiency, scalability, and manufacturing support.
• Prepare and communicate procurement status, supplier performance, and material risk updates to internal stakeholders and leadership.
• Perform other duties as assigned. 

Qualifications: 

• Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Business, Operations, Engineering, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and relevant experience.
• 4+ years of procurement, purchasing, or sourcing experience; candidates considered at the Buyer III level should demonstrate greater independent judgment, ownership, and experience with moderately complex procurement activities.
• Experience supporting manufacturing operations through procurement, purchasing, sourcing, materials, or supply chain activities.
• Experience managing supplier relationships, purchase orders, RFQs, and commercial purchasing activities.
• Direct experience purchasing raw materials or production-critical manufacturing commodities is highly preferred; experience with metals, alloys, industrial materials, or similar manufacturing commodities is a plus.
• Experience working cross-functionally with Manufacturing, Planning, Material Handling, Engineering, Operations, or similar internal stakeholders.
• Experience using ERP or procurement systems such as Coupa, SAP, Oracle, Ariba, or equivalent. 

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities: 

• Working knowledge of the procurement lifecycle, including supplier identification, RFQs, commercial evaluation, purchase order management, and supplier performance management.
• Strong self-organization and prioritization skills with the ability to manage multiple procurement activities, follow through on commitments, and adapt to changing manufacturing and business priorities.
• Apply analytical problem-solving skills and initiative to investigate unfamiliar or ambiguous procurement issues, use available information and resources, exercise sound judgment, and seek input when needed.
• Strong verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills with the ability to create and maintain effective relationships with suppliers, teammates, and cross-functional partners.
• Demonstrates integrity, positive intent, and respect in working relationships; communicates directly and constructively, actively listens, raises questions when needed, and welcomes feedback and differing perspectives.
• Openness to learning new commodities, manufacturing processes, supplier capabilities, and internal systems, with the ability to quickly apply new knowledge and expand procurement capability.
• Ability to analyze supplier and procurement data, identify risks, and recommend practical actions that improve cost, schedule, quality, or reliability.
• Bring a proactive, continuous-improvement mindset by identifying practical opportunities to strengthen procurement processes, supplier management practices, and cross-functional ways of working.
• Ability to proactively collect, document, manage, and share procurement knowledge across the team.
• Demonstrate a mission-centered and responsible approach by understanding how procurement work supports Kairos Power's goals, delivering on commitments, using resources thoughtfully, and maintaining strong safety expectations.
• Ability to evaluate supplier quotations and commercial terms, assess cost and business tradeoffs, and support supplier negotiations.