Senior Buyer

DustPhotonics, now part of Credo, develops cutting-edge Silicon Photonics technology for high-performance data center connectivity.

We are looking for an experienced Senior Buyer to lead our procurement operations. This pivotal role combines end-to-end management of critical procurement categories, managing subcontractors and PCBA sourcing, driving efficiency processes and managing strategic relationships with global suppliers to support company growth.

The role covers both sides of the business: supporting NPI and R&D activities, including procurement of tools, jigs and equipment, in close cooperation with Engineering, and managing procurement and suppliers for BOM items in mass production.

This is a critical function with a direct impact on the company's Time-to-Market (TTM), supply continuity in production and overall product profitability.

Key Responsibilities:

• Mass Production Procurement: Manage purchasing and take overall ownership of production BOM suppliers, including purchase orders, delivery commitments, lead times, pricing, quality, change notices and EOL.
• Subcontractor Management: Execute the subcontractor strategy day to day, including purchase orders, pricing and commercial terms, delivery follow-up and quality claims, and take full ownership of getting BOM materials to the subcontractor on time.
• Strategic Supplier Management: Build long-term relationships with strategic suppliers, run regular business reviews, and drive performance, cost and continuous improvement.
• NPI and R&D Support: Support the New Product Introduction process from prototyping through to serial mass production, and manage procurement for R&D labs and engineering teams, including urgent spot buys of components, materials and services, and purchasing of tools, jigs and equipment.
• Cross-functional Collaboration: Work closely with R&D, Engineering, Operations and Finance from the design stage through to mass production.
• Category Management: Develop and lead procurement strategies for components, PCBA, subcontractors and additional services.
• Sourcing: Identify, evaluate and select new global suppliers, including PCBA manufacturers, with a focus on quality, lead times and cost.
• Cost Reduction and Design-to-Cost: Lead cost-reduction projects across development and production BOM items and identify alternatives for missing or high-cost components together with engineers.
• Risk Management: Identify supply chain risks (e.g., market shortages, geopolitical issues) and formulate contingency plans (Second Sourcing).
• Monitoring & Reporting: Analyze procurement data, track KPIs (supplier performance, on-time delivery) and generate reports for management.
• Execution and Communication: Manage end-to-end projects independently in a fast-paced environment, with a clear view of how procurement impacts the bottom line and strong interpersonal skills to drive processes across internal and external stakeholders.

Requirements:

• Experience: At least 4–8 years of procurement experience in product-based, manufacturing companies (high-tech / hardware environments).
• Background: Experience in R&D / NPI procurement, in mass production procurement (BOM items and supplier management), or in a combination of both. Candidates from either track are welcome to apply.
• Global Procurement: Proven experience working with international suppliers (USA, Europe, and the Far East) and deep understanding of shipping and foreign trade processes.
• PCBA Procurement: Proven experience purchasing PCBAs and working with EMS/PCBA manufacturers.
• Subcontractor Management: Proven experience working with and managing subcontractors, including managing subcontractor orders, ensuring materials arrive on time, and commercial follow-up.
• Strategic Suppliers: Proven experience managing strategic suppliers, including negotiations, performance reviews and long-term agreements.
• ERP Proficiency: Hands-on experience with NetSuite ERP (purchase orders, supplier management and reporting).
• Technical Procurement: Deep understanding of electronics, mechanics and optics; ability to read technical drawings.
• NPI / Production Experience: Experience supporting R&D and engineering projects, including procurement of tools, jigs and equipment, or managing procurement for serial production (BOM items, supplier orders, delivery performance). Experience in both is an advantage.
• Data Analysis: High-level Excel skills (Pivot tables, formulas) for TCO (Total Cost of Ownership) and spend analysis.
• Proactivity: Ability to push suppliers for shortened lead times to meet urgent R&D or production requirements.
• Resilience: Ability to prioritize tasks and perform under pressure in a high-frequency, changing environment.
• Education: BA/B.Sc. in Industrial Engineering and Management, Economics, Business Administration or Logistics.
• Languages: Very high proficiency in English (Written and Spoken)