Buyer (Multiple Openings)

About the role

Applied Materials is a global leader in materials engineering solutions used to produce virtually every new chip and advanced display in the world. We design, build and service cutting-edge equipment that helps our customers manufacture display and semiconductor chips – the brains of devices we use every day. As the foundation of the global electronics industry, Applied enables the exciting technologies that literally connect our world – like AI and IoT.

As a Buyer, you’ll be responsible for purchasing the materials, supplies, machinery, and services that equip our state-of-the-art manufacturing facilities. You’ll collaborate across teams and showcase your organization and strategic planning skills to monitor inventory, manage delivery scheduling, negotiate with suppliers, and procure essential items that transform possibilities into realities for our customers and teams.

Responsibilities

Applied Materials is seeking highly motivated procurement professionals to support both production purchasing and New Product Introduction (NPI) initiatives. These roles are responsible for managing supplier relationships, sourcing materials, driving procurement execution, and ensuring uninterrupted supply to support manufacturing and product development activities.

• Manage a large volume of parts and suppliers
• Own and manage an assigned Purchasing Group (P-Group)
• Ensure material availability to support production requirements
• Serve as the primary procurement contact for assigned commodities and suppliers
• Receive demand requirements from assigned P-Group
• Issue Requests for Quotations (RFQs) and bids to suppliers
• Evaluate supplier quotations based on price, lead time, availability, quality, and overall value
• Select suppliers and negotiate pricing and delivery requirements when appropriate
• Create, release, and manage purchase orders
• Monitor open orders and supplier commitments
• Coordinate with planning, manufacturing, engineering, and operations teams regarding supply requirements
• Ensure timely delivery of materials to support business needs
• Maintain accurate purchasing records within ERP systems

Supplier Management & Issue Resolution

• Develop and maintain strong supplier relationships
• Monitor supplier performance including quality, cost, delivery, and responsiveness
• Track and drive resolution of Supplier Problem Sheets (SPS)
• Ensure supplier-related issues continue progressing toward closure
• Escalate critical issues when necessary to minimize operational impact
• Support supplier development and performance improvement initiatives

Continuous Improvement

• Identify opportunities for procurement process improvements
• Support cost reduction initiatives and sourcing strategies
• Participate in supplier business reviews
• Analyze procurement metrics and supplier performance data
• Support inventory optimization and supply continuity efforts

NPI Buyer II & III Position Overview

The NPI Buyer II & III is responsible for sourcing, purchasing, and managing materials required for New Product Introduction (NPI) programs. This role focuses on highly engineered and technically complex components, requiring full lifecycle ownership from initial release through production readiness.

• Responsible for sourcing, purchasing, and managing materials required for new product development and introduction
• Lead supply chain management activities involving identification, development, qualification, and management of existing and new suppliers
• Partner with Manufacturing and Engineering to maintain inventory at planned levels and support production readiness
• Lead resolution of material-related design, accounting, supplier, and receiving issues

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Business Administration, Operations Management, Engineering, or a related field
• Experience using ERP systems such as SAP, Oracle, or similar platforms
• Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Advanced Microsoft Excel proficiency
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced manufacturing environment

Preferred Qualifications

• Buyer II: Minimum 2+ years of purchasing, procurement, sourcing, or supply chain experience
• Buyer III: Minimum 4+ years of purchasing, procurement, sourcing, or supply chain experience
• Semiconductor industry experience strongly preferred
• Experience in electronics, capital equipment, advanced manufacturing, or high-tech industries
• NPI & Technical Sourcing Experience: Experience sourcing and managing one or more of the following: Raw materials, Mechanical subassemblies, Electronic assemblies, Enclosures and casings, Plastics, Grinding operations, Stamping operations, CNC machining, Mills and lathes, Precision-engineered custom components

Skills

• Procurement & Purchasing
• Supplier Relationship Management
• RFQ & Bid Analysis
• Purchase Order Management
• Strategic Sourcing
• New Product Introduction (NPI)
• Cost Management & Negotiation
• Supply Chain Risk Management
• Inventory Management
• Cross-Functional Collaboration
• Program Management
• Data Analysis & Reporting
• Problem Resolution & Escalation Management
• Continuous Improvement

Benefits

Applied Materials offers a comprehensive benefits package, including participation in a bonus and a stock award program, as applicable.

Pay

Salary: $64,000.00 - $88,000.00

Schedule

Time Type: Full time, Employee Type: Assignee / Regular, Travel: Relocation Eligible: No