Senior Buyer, Strategic Components
Location: Scotts Valley, CA
Work Arrangement: On-site
Company: Digital Dynamics, Inc.
Position Summary
Digital Dynamics, Inc. is a fast-growing, 100% employee-owned technology company that designs and manufactures advanced control hardware for mission-critical OEM process machinery used in the semiconductor, metrology, display, solar, and related high-technology industries.
We are seeking an experienced Senior Buyer, Strategic Components to support the sourcing and procurement of critical electronic components and production materials used in DDI’s manufacturing, New Product Introduction, customer programs, and ongoing operations.
This role is responsible for managing strategic supplier relationships, supporting cost, quality, delivery, inventory, and supply continuity objectives, and serving as a procurement subject matter expert for assigned electronic components and commodities.
A key focus of this position is leading End-of-Life and Last Time Buy initiatives. The Senior Buyer will partner closely with Engineering, Demand Planning, Manufacturing, Program Management, Quality, Contract Manufacturers, suppliers, and customers to proactively manage component lifecycle risk, mitigate obsolescence, and support uninterrupted production for DDI’s control hardware products.
Key Responsibilities
Strategic Sourcing and Commodity Management
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Manage assigned strategic electronic components, commodities, suppliers, and distributor relationships to support DDI’s cost, quality, delivery, and inventory objectives.
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Develop and execute sourcing strategies that reduce supply chain risk and support business, customer, and production needs.
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Lead supplier selection, qualification support, negotiations, and long-term sourcing initiatives.
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Monitor market conditions, component availability, lead times, pricing trends, and supply constraints to identify risks and opportunities.
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Recommend dual sourcing, supplier consolidation, alternate component strategies, and supply continuity plans.
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Support strategic sourcing decisions for critical components used in DDI’s control systems and related product lines.
End-of-Life and Last Time Buy Management
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Lead End-of-Life, Product Discontinuance, and Last Time Buy projects for electronic components and strategic materials.
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Monitor Product Change Notifications, Product Discontinuance Notices, and component lifecycle status.
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Utilize SiliconExpert or similar lifecycle management tools to identify obsolescence risks and recommend mitigation strategies.
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Partner with Engineering, Demand Planning, Manufacturing, Program Management, Contract Manufacturers, suppliers, and customers to evaluate lifecycle impacts.
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Develop and execute Last Time Buy strategies that balance production continuity, customer commitments, inventory investment, and long-term business needs.
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Coordinate alternate component qualifications and lifecycle transition plans with Engineering, Quality, Manufacturing, and suppliers.
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Communicate EOL, LTB, allocation, and obsolescence risks clearly and proactively to internal stakeholders and affected customer programs.
Purchasing and Procurement
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Create, manage, and maintain purchase orders within the ERP system, including Syspro or similar ERP/MRP systems.
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Ensure on-time material delivery through proactive supplier communication, order management, and expediting.
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Analyze supplier quotations and negotiate pricing, lead times, delivery schedules, and commercial terms.
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Resolve purchasing discrepancies, shortages, supplier issues, and invoice variances.
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Support New Product Introduction, Engineering Change Orders, Engineering Change Notices, and production ramp activities.
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Align purchasing decisions with MRP recommendations, production schedules, customer commitments, and inventory objectives.
Customer and Contract Manufacturer Collaboration
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Serve as the primary procurement contact for assigned customer programs, providing updates on component availability, lifecycle status, material risks, sourcing strategies, and recovery plans.
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Build and maintain effective working relationships with customers and Contract Manufacturers to support production schedules and program objectives.
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Collaborate with customers and Contract Manufacturers on End-of-Life, Last Time Buy, allocation, and supply continuity planning.
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Coordinate material readiness, issue resolution, and procurement activities across internal teams, customers, suppliers, and manufacturing partners.
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Communicate shortages, lead time changes, allocation constraints, and recovery plans to ensure alignment across stakeholders.
Supplier Relationship Management
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Develop strong working relationships with manufacturers, distributors, and strategic suppliers.
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Monitor supplier performance using key metrics, including on-time delivery, quality, responsiveness, cost, and issue resolution.
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Lead supplier corrective action follow-up and continuous improvement initiatives related to procurement performance.
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Support supplier business reviews and long-term performance management.
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Escalate supplier risks and performance concerns in a timely and effective manner.
Cross-Functional Collaboration
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Partner closely with Demand Planning, Engineering, Manufacturing, Quality, Finance, Program Management, Sales, and customer-facing teams.
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Provide procurement expertise regarding component availability, lead times, alternates, lifecycle status, and supply chain risk.
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Support cross-functional decision-making to maintain supply continuity, meet customer commitments, and support production execution.
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Participate in material readiness, NPI, ECO/ECN, customer program, and supply risk review meetings as needed.
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Ensure procurement activities are aligned with DDI’s operational priorities, inventory goals, and customer delivery requirements.
Continuous Improvement
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Identify opportunities to improve procurement processes, ERP/MRP accuracy, supplier communication, and purchasing efficiency.
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Support ERP/MRP enhancements, data integrity initiatives, and procurement reporting improvements.
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Assist in developing purchasing procedures, documentation, and best practices.
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Mentor junior buyers and provide procurement guidance as needed.
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Contribute to process improvements that strengthen supply chain visibility, responsiveness, and accountability.
Qualifications
Education and Experience
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Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management, Business, Engineering, Operations, or a related field, or equivalent experience.
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Typically 8+ years of progressive purchasing, strategic sourcing, commodity management, or supply chain experience.
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Experience supporting electronics manufacturing, OEM manufacturing, EMS, contract manufacturing, or high-mix/low-volume production environments preferred.
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Demonstrated experience managing strategic electronic components, suppliers, distributors, and supply chain risk.
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Experience leading or supporting End-of-Life, Product Discontinuance, Last Time Buy, and component obsolescence initiatives.
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Experience working directly with customers and Contract Manufacturers preferred.
Skills and Competencies
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Strong negotiation, supplier management, and relationship-building skills.
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Solid understanding of ERP/MRP purchasing systems; Syspro experience preferred.
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Knowledge of electronic component lifecycle management, obsolescence risk, and supply continuity planning.
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Experience using SiliconExpert or similar component lifecycle and obsolescence management tools preferred.
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Strong understanding of purchasing, planning, inventory, supplier management, and production support processes.
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Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.
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Strong verbal and written communication skills.
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Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.
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Strong customer service mindset and cross-functional collaboration skills.
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Ability to effectively communicate and influence suppliers, customers, Contract Manufacturers, and internal stakeholders.
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High attention to detail and strong follow-through.
Total Rewards
Digital Dynamics believes rewarding employees extends beyond base compensation. Our total rewards approach is designed to recognize performance, support long-term growth, and create shared success.
Eligible employees may participate in competitive pay programs, bonus opportunities, our Employee Stock Ownership Plan, 401(k), comprehensive health and wellness benefits, paid time off, and other programs designed to support employees and their families.
As a 100% employee-owned company, Digital Dynamics offers employees the opportunity to contribute to meaningful work while sharing in the company’s long-term success.
Equal Opportunity Employer
Digital Dynamics, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to legally protected characteristics.
