Senior Buyer

Description

As a Senior Buyer with Photonic you will provide tactical support to the Procurement function by managing day-to-day purchasing activities, supplier coordination, procurement data, and process improvements that help the buying function operate efficiently and accurately. This role supports continuous improvement in buying workflows, partners with stakeholders to strengthen processes and systems, and encourages practical use of digital tools, analytics, and select emerging technologies where they add clear business value.

WHAT WE NEED YOU TO DO

Purchase Order & Transactional Support

• Create, maintain, and track purchase requisitions and purchase orders in NetSuite
• Ensure PO accuracy (pricing, quantities, coding, shipping details)
• Send POs to suppliers and obtain order acknowledgements
• Track order status and follow up on delivery dates, back orders, and delays
• Coordinate PO changes, cancellations, and closures
• Generate weekly reports on open POs, expedites, and PO aging
• Communicate backorders and delays

Process Improvement & Systems Support

• Identify and support improvements in buying workflows such as purchase intake, quote comparison, supplier follow-ups, exception management, and reporting; document current and future state processes where needed
• Support implementation of process and system improvements that enhance speed, accuracy, and compliance, including approved automations and select emerging tools where appropriate
• Develop templates, standard work, and documentation to improve consistency and reduce variability in buying activities
• Partner with IT/Systems, Finance, and stakeholders to improve workflows connected to NetSuite and related tools; contribute requirements and participate in testing and rollout
• Follow company policies for data privacy, access controls, approvals, and documentation when using systems and digital tools
• Support adoption of process changes by training users, capturing feedback, and tracking improvements in workflow performance

Supplier Coordination & Communication

• Point of contact for supplier communications
• Coordinate quotes, confirmations, invoices, and shipping documents
• Coordinate with suppliers on standard issues (lead times, documentation, discrepancies)
• Escalate exceptions or commercial issues to the Procurement Manager
• Qualify and onboard new suppliers

Procurement Administration, Records & Data Quality

• Maintain supplier records (contacts, pricing, lead times, certificates, and other documents) using structured workflows with a focus on master-data accuracy and auditability
• Log, classify, and organize procurement-related documents (POs, quotes, invoices, packing slips) using agreed metadata standards to support retrieval and reporting
• Support contract and NDA tracking (expiry dates, renewals, document storage) through the document management portal
• Maintain supplier interaction logs (emails, calls, meeting notes) in systems of record to support visibility and reporting
• Create and maintain supplier and item data in ERP and PLM, ensuring data completeness and standardized naming to enable reporting and operational efficiency

Reporting & Data Management

• Run and maintain procurement reports (open POs, delivery status, expedites)
• Proactively support, monitor, and maintain accurate data in ERP and PLM systems to ensure consistency and reliability.
• Support efforts to improve and automate processes and systems

Cross‑Functional Support

• Coordinate with Engineering, Finance, Operations, and Receiving on order status
• Support invoice matching and issue resolution (PO–invoice–receipt)
• Support reconciliation of freight invoices and logistics charges against POs and invoices

WHAT YOU BRING TO OUR TEAM

• 5–7+ years of experience in procurement, buying, or supply chain (including ownership of end-to-end PO execution and supplier follow-up)
• Strong experience with ERP systems (NetSuite preferred) and demonstrated ability to improve workflows through system configuration, automation, or integrations
• Experience using business systems and digital tools to improve drafting, reporting, data organization, or workflow efficiency, with sound judgment on when review and approval are required
• Solid understanding of end-to-end supply chain processes, including purchasing, supplier coordination, shipping/receiving, and customs considerations.
• Demonstrated ability to manage procurement activities with a high degree of organization, accuracy, and attention to detail.
• Ability to operate effectively both independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced, cross-functional environment. Strong process mindset: able to map workflows, identify failure modes, define controls, and implement standard work to improve cycle time and quality
• Clear written and verbal communication skills; able to create effective templates (emails, RFQs, follow-ups) and communicate changes to stakeholders
• Advanced Excel skills; comfortable with data analysis (pivot tables, lookups) and reporting; ability to work with datasets to support process improvement and automation initiatives
• Experience with international shipping and customs processes
• Familiarity with data governance concepts such as confidentiality, access controls, accuracy, and recordkeeping, and ability to follow internal system and data usage policies
• Experience with workflow automation and/or low-code tools (e.g., Power Automate or similar), including building simple automations, managing approvals, and monitoring exceptions
• Strong communication skills, with the ability to engage effectively across internal teams (Engineering, Finance, Operations) and external suppliers.
• Exposure to AI-enabled or intelligent business tools is an asset, particularly where they support drafting, classification, reporting, or workflow efficiency under established review and approval practices

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in a technology, manufacturing, or hardware environment
• Experience improving procurement processes through digitization, analytics, workflow standardization, and/or automation
• Exposure to supplier onboarding, document control, and structured master-data management
• Professional certifications such as ASCM CPIM/CSCP (or progress toward certification) are considered an asset.

Key Competencies

• Strong analytical, negotiation, and problem-solving capabilities, with a focus on cost optimization and supplier performance.
• High attention to detail, ensuring accuracy in PO management, supplier documentation, and ERP data integrity.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities, meet deadlines, and drive results in a dynamic procurement environment.
• Collaborative mindset with the ability to build and maintain effective supplier and stakeholder relationships.
• Proactive approach to identifying risks, resolving supply issues, and improving procurement processes.

WHY YOU SHOULD WORK WITH US

• Work closely with some of the brightest innovators in quantum technologies to drive breakthroughs that redefine computing
• Enjoy a fast-paced and fun environment where you can try new things while solving innovative challenges every day
• Inclusive company culture that values collaboration
• Regular social events and fun activities keep our global team connected
• Competitive compensation package including base salary, stock options, and relocation assistance for global talent
• Comprehensive benefits including extended health, dental, life, long term disability, an employee assistance program, parental leave top-ups, and a flexible spending account

The description above is what we think an ideal candidate would look like for this role. At Photonic, we understand that everyone has a different work and life journey. If you feel your experience is close to what we've described, but you might not meet all the requirements, please still apply! All roles listed are for current vacancies. While artificial intelligence (AI) tools may be used to assist in reviewing applicant profiles, they do not determine candidate outcomes. Our hiring decisions are made by people, not algorithms. We are committed to fostering, cultivating, and preserving a culture of equity, diversity, and inclusion. We embrace and encourage our employees’ differences, knowing that these very differences inspire innovation and build better teams. If there are any accommodations our team can make throughout our hiring process, please let us know.
Photonic Inc. is a leading quantum technology company developing commercial-scale quantum computers and quantum networks to address some of the world’s most pressing challenges in materials science, drug discovery, climate change, and security. The company’s approach unlocks performance at scale through unmatched distributed quantum computing capabilities. Photonic’s high-connectivity Entanglement First™ architecture leverages a unique qubit modality—optically linked silicon spin qubits—to enable powerful computation, efficient error correction, and seamless integration with existing data center and telecom environments. Headquartered in Vancouver, British Columbia, with operations in the United States and United Kingdom, Photonic’s team is advancing quantum technologies alongside leading investors, partners, and customers worldwide.