Buyer V in Poway, CA
Job title: Buyer V in Poway, CA at General Atomics
Company: General Atomics
Job description: CompanyGeneral Atomics Aeronautical SystemsJob SummaryGeneral Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI), an affiliate of General Atomics, is a world leader in proven, reliable remotely piloted aircraft and tactical reconnaissance radars, as well as advanced high-resolution surveillance systems.Under consultative direction, the Senior Technical Buyer is responsible for leading the procurement of highly complex, mission-critical IT software and hardware, services, and technology solutions to support enterprise-wide contracts, subcontracts, and internal organizations. This role requires extensive experience in software license agreements, contract negotiations, and IT vendor management while ensuring compliance with company policies and applicable regulations.
The ideal candidate will have a proven track record with multi-year enterprise solution procurements, negotiating SaaS/cloud-based and on-premise agreements, and leveraging market intelligence sources like Gartner to drive strategic decision-making.DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Lead highly complex, multi-year IT procurement initiatives, ensuring alignment with business and compliance requirements.
- Manage the end-to-end procurement lifecycle, including validating purchase requisitions, supplier selection, bid solicitation, response evaluation, price analysis, and contract execution.
- Conduct major procurement negotiations for software license agreements, SaaS/cloud contracts, and IT professional services.
- Review and negotiate high risk terms and conditions to ensure favorable outcomes and risk mitigation.
- Serve as a key resource for identifying and assessing potential suppliers, evaluating their cost, quality, reliability, and compliance capabilities.
- Utilize market intelligence tools such as Gartner and ClearEdge/Accenture to support pricing benchmarks, supplier evaluations, and industry best practices.
- Engage with senior stakeholders to develop procurement strategies that align with organizational goals.
- Ensure procurement activities comply with corporate policies, FAR regulations, and industry best practices.
- Maintain awareness of regulatory changes impacting procurement and implement necessary adjustments.
- Lead cost and pricing reviews, ensuring competitive and sole-source procurements meet contract objectives.
- Provide mentorship and guidance to less experienced purchasing professionals.
- Participate in the selection, development, and training of procurement staff.
- Identify purchasing inefficiencies and develop innovative solutions to enhance procurement processes.
- Typically requires a bachelor's degree in business administration or related discipline along with fifteen or more years of progressive professional experience in government and commercial purchasing. Equivalent professional purchasing experience may be substituted in lieu of education.
- Extensive expertise in software licensing, SaaS/cloud agreements, and IT procurement negotiations.
- Strong understanding of FAR regulations, procurement compliance, and risk management.
- Experience negotiating contracts with major software vendors (Microsoft, SAP, Siemens, etc.).
- Familiarity with market intelligence tools (Gartner, ClearEdge/Accenture, etc.) for strategic procurement insights.
- Excellent analytical, negotiation, and problem-solving skills to develop innovative solutions.
- Strong verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to present complex procurement strategies to senior leadership.
- SAP experience preferred.