Purchasing Specialist

Role Overview

Arbor Energy is seeking a Purchasing Specialist to help build the foundation of a world-class supplier ecosystem as we scale from early prototypes to production-ready hardware. You will work directly with the Head of Supply Chain to manage increasing purchasing volume, expand our supplier base, and ensure we stay ahead of both current and future supply needs.

You will collaborate closely with our Turbomachinery and Combustion teams, as well as Systems, Test, and Manufacturing Engineering. This role is central to how Arbor's values show up in our supplier ecosystem - leading with love in how we communicate, stewarding our planet through responsible sourcing, and exploring the uncharted as we build new supply pathways for novel hardware.

As Arbor grows, this role may evolve into a senior or lead position and help shape the future Supply Chain team.This is an onsite opportunity in our El Segundo, CA office.

Responsibilities

Supplier & Purchasing Operations

• Manage day-to-day communication with a broad set of suppliers
• Track delivery status, performance, and risks across multiple programs
• Surface delays early and communicate openly with internal teams
• Support purchasing as volume increases over the next 3-6 months
• Take and make calls to unblock issues and maintain momentum

Sourcing & Commercial Support

• Analyze supplier capabilities, market conditions, and technology roadmaps to support sourcing strategy
• Identify potential suppliers and develop sourcing approaches for internal stakeholders
• Prepare sourcing recommendations and present clear options to leadership
• Support negotiations for NDAs, terms & conditions, and RFQ-related agreements
• Compare supplier quotes, cost breakdowns, and commercial terms
• Support supplier capability assessments and technical reviews
• Maintain accurate pricing, supplier data, and sourcing roadmaps in internal systems

Supplier Discovery & Research

• Identify, evaluate, and qualify new suppliers for current and future builds
• Conduct research to expand our supplier base as complexity grows
• Gather technical and commercial data to support supplier qualification

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Partner with Turbomachinery, Combustion, Systems, Test, and Manufacturing Engineering
• Provide clear updates on supplier status, risks, and mitigation plans
• Help establish the culture, expectations, and working norms of the Supply Chain function

Requirements

• 3+ years of procurement, supply chain, engineering, supplier-facing experience, or related field
• Experience working with multiple suppliers or external partners
• Strong analytical skills and attention to detail
• Experience analyzing data to track supplier performance, cost trends, or sourcing decisions
• Comfortable with high-volume communication (calls, emails, follow-ups)
• Must have the ability to travel to supplier facilities, including on short notice when business needs require, and comply with applicable visitor, safety, security, and export-control protocols
• Open, proactive communicator - especially when issues arise
• Ability to disagree constructively and commit once aligned
• Reliable follow-through and ownership mindset
• Light technical literacy (comfortable reading basic drawings, understanding part descriptions, and discussing manufacturing processes)

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with specialty metals and advanced manufacturing processes, including additive manufacturing, castings, coatings, heat treat, or custom/high-mix low-volume machining
• Sales or customer-facing background
• Strong research skills
• Willingness to travel occasionally for supplier visits

Benefits & Compensation

• Pre-IPO stock options
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance (Arbor covers 90% for employees)
• Basic life insurance fully covered
• Health savings account (HSA) with matching
• Flexible savings account (FSA)
• Unlimited PTO
• 12+ company holidays, including Earth Day!
• 401(k)
• Commuter benefits
• Annual learning and development stipend
• And more!

Base Pay

$90,000 - $115,000 USD/year. The salary is subject to the applicant's skills, qualifications, experience, and geographic location.