Commonwealth Fusion Systems (CFS) has the fastest, lowest cost path to commercial fusion energy.

CFS is collaborating with MIT to leverage decades of research combined with new groundbreaking high-temperature superconducting (HTS) magnet technology. HTS magnets will enable compact fusion power plants that can be constructed faster and at lower cost. The mission is to deploy fusion power plants to meet global decarbonization goals as fast as possible. CFS has assembled a team of leaders in tough tech, fusion science, and manufacturing with a track record of rapid execution. Supported by the world’s leading investors, CFS is uniquely positioned to deliver limitless, clean, fusion power to combat climate change. To execute this plan, we are looking to add talented people to the team who are mission-driven and treat people well, improve our team by adding diverse perspectives and new ways of solving problems, have demonstrated exceptional results through a range of different pursuits, and have skill sets and experience that relate to this role.

The role of the Supplier Integration team, of which the Senior Buyer is a key member, is to integrate suppliers into the SPARC project from the early stages of product design, ensure flawless execution of the procurement contracts and optimize schedule, cost, and quality.

This individual is accountable for meeting the internal customers’ needs for the respective systems by executing overarching supply chain strategies for these systems and commodities; selecting the best sources within the assigned budget for each system; negotiating, placing, and managing contracts and orders; and overseeing suppliers’ activities from order to delivery and support.

This individual is highly organized, independent, and proactive and has hands-on knowledge and active curiosity about the manufacturing and supply chain issues confronting a complex fast-paced development project such as SPARC.

Travel to supplier locations will be required, up to 25%

This team member will:

- Act as a strategic sourcing expert for their assigned commodities
- Drive execution to a commodity strategy, coordinating cross-functionally to ensure project success
- Interpret technical requirements and estimate cost, lead times, manufacturing techniques, and identify the best value supplier
- Create or review statements of work 
- Investigate, evaluate, and recommend new and/or alternate sources of supply as necessary to support new product development, cost reduction requirements, and/or to improve supplier performance
- Negotiate short and long-term agreements for raw materials, parts, subassemblies, finished goods, equipment, tooling, supplies, and/or services from suppliers 
- Skillfully balance the price, delivery, quality, service, and value tradeoffs and rationalize the supply base 
- Support cost savings initiatives, lead time improvement projects, quality improvement projects, and recommend changes to processes to improve supply chain performance
- Create, review, and/or approve purchase orders up to authorized limits for raw materials, parts, subassemblies, finished goods, equipment, tooling, supplies, and/or services from suppliers in support of engineering customer requirements
- Visit suppliers as necessary to conduct business reviews, kick off new projects, check on manufacturing milestones, or resolve technical issues
- Adhere to all supply chain policies, procedures, guidelines and instructions including those regarding the procurement of materials, intellectual property, and export compliance 
- Purchase in both MRP and project/purchase requisition-oriented type environments under departmental guidelines
- Coordinate planning and scheduling activities with the assigned planner in a matrixed organization (functionally reporting to the head of Inventory and Supply Planning team)
- Report out on project status, risks and issues to the supply chain and the systems leadership teams
- Develop, monitor, and report risk mitigation strategies
- Negotiate internally and externally at all levels or with persons of influence frequently
- Develop and track reporting against objectives and results

The ideal candidate will have most, if not all, of these requirements:

- 5+ years’ related work experience in a manufacturing, supply chain or other relevant environment
- Demonstrated ability to work hand-in-hand with design and manufacturing teams from requirements definition to source selection: gather, challenge and interpret requirements in a wide variety of technical fields, coordinate costs and lead times estimation, and lead the team towards the selection of best value supplier(s)
- Demonstrated ability to negotiate procurement contracts with suppliers
- Experience working with or in tactical procurement: managing order placement and fulfillment, line of balance, etc.
- Ability to read and interpret technical documents and engineering drawings
- Exceptional understanding of strategic sourcing skills and tools
- Comfortable working in a global environment across time zones and cultures
- Team player comfortable leading by example, and directly contributing
- Organizational and project management skills, with the ability to prioritize work to meet the business needs
- Customer service mindset and entrepreneurial spirit
- Excellent critical thinking and judgment, with the ability to make and execute on decisions
- General understanding of procurement contract structures and clauses
- General understanding of enterprise quality system functionality (e.g., ISO 9000, AS9100, TS16949, etc.)
- General understanding of ERP systems and MRP logic
- Experience with MS Office or Google Suite
- Demonstrate integrity, respect, commitment to excellence, collaboration, creativity and agility
- Ability to work well in high-pressure environment.
- Technical and cost knowledge of fusion relevant commodities including but not limited to metals, fabrication, welding, electronics, large tools, and engineered systems

Additional experience and/or qualifications:

- Previous experience in a start-up or high growth environment
- Previous experience sourcing large-scale customized machined and/or fabricated components 
- Proven experience in supporting critical new product introduction activities for highly technical products, managing suppliers during the contract execution and support phases
- Previous experience sourcing High Mix-Low volume components
- Experience with financial control systems or cost accounting structures.
- Bachelor’s degree in the field of Supply Chain, Engineering, Business, Finance or other related field
- Ability to work extended periods of computer, teleconference, or phone work either standing or sitting
- Travel, up to 25%, will be required

CFS team members thrive in a fast-paced, dynamic environment and have demonstrated exceptional results through a range of different pursuits. We all tightly align with our company values of integrity, execution, impact and self-critique. As we grow, we are looking to add talented people who are mission driven and bring diverse perspectives and new ways of solving problems.

At CFS, we deeply value diversity and are an equal opportunity employer by choice. We consider all qualified applicants equally for employment. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, protected veteran status, religion, physical or mental disability, marital status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, or any other basis protected by law, ordinance, or regulation.