Senior Technical Buyer

About CycloKinetics

CycloKinetics is advancing the next generation of high-performance propellants for aerospace and defense. Our highly innovative technology allows us to harness existing energy from biomass and convert it to superior performance fuels and propellants across aviation, aerospace, and defense applications. 

We are a team of engineers, scientists, and operators driven by performance, innovation, and national security impact focused on building scalable, domestic energy solutions that power the future of propulsion. CycloKinetics is based in Salt Lake City, Utah.  

Job Summary: 

CycloKinetics is seeking a Senior Technical Buyer to support the procurement of highly technical materials, equipment, fabricated components, and services required to build and operate our biorefinery. 

This role sits within the procurement organization and works closely with engineering, Research & Development (R&D), operations, finance, and external suppliers.  The Senior Technical Buyer will serve as a primary commercial and coordination contact with outside vendors for complex custom orders, including custom fabricated reactors, pressure vessels, steel structures, custom machined parts, pumps, specialty equipment, and bulk specialty chemicals.

The ideal candidate has demonstrated experience purchasing technical goods and services in industrial, chemical, manufacturing, energy, aerospace, defense, Engineering, Procurement, & Construction (EPC), or other complex engineered environments. An engineering or technical degree is not required; however, the successful candidate must be comfortable working with technical specifications, drawings, datasheets, vendor documentation, and engineering stakeholders.

This individual should be proactive, relationship-driven, commercially minded, and motivated to build a strong vendor network, identify alternative suppliers, improve lead times, and drive down total cost.

This role requires organizational and communication skills and requires confidentiality, discretion, and professionalism.

Essential Functions & Responsibilities:

• Serve as a senior procurement resource for highly technical, custom, and long-lead purchases across engineering, R&D, and operations.
• Manage confidential and sensitive information with discretion.
• Act as a primary point of contact with outside vendors for custom fabricated equipment, pressure vessels, reactors, steel structures, machined parts, pumps, specialty chemicals, and technical equipment.
• Collaborate closely with engineering and R&D teams to understand technical requirements, specifications, drawings, datasheets, and project needs.
• Lead sourcing, request for quote / request for proposal (RFQ/RFP), bid evaluation, vendor selection, negotiation, purchase order issuance, and order follow-up for complex technical purchases.
• Identify, qualify, and develop alternative suppliers to improve cost, quality, responsiveness, and schedule reliability.
• Negotiate pricing, lead times, payment terms, warranty provisions, delivery terms, and other commercial conditions.
• Coordinate with vendors to resolve technical, commercial, quality, and delivery issues.
• Track and expedite critical orders to support engineering, fabrication, construction, commissioning, and operational milestones.
• Maintain strong supplier relationships and hold vendors accountable for performance, delivery, documentation, and quality expectations.
• Review requisitions, quotes, specifications, drawings, contracts, and purchase documentation for accuracy and completeness.
• Work with engineering and project teams to evaluate make-versus-buy decisions, supplier capabilities, and fabrication alternatives.
• Support cost reduction efforts through competitive bidding, negotiation, supplier development, design-to-cost discussions, and alternate sourcing.
• Coordinate with finance and internal stakeholders on budgets, purchase approvals, invoice discrepancies, and cost tracking.
• Maintain accurate procurement records, vendor communications, contracts, quote files, purchase orders, and technical documentation.
• Ensure compliance with internal procurement policies, safety standards, quality requirements, and applicable regulatory requirements.
• Work in collaboration with other teams to achieve department and company goals.
• Participate in meetings and planning sessions, providing work updates or summaries as requested.
• Maintain accurate procurement records, contracts, documentation, and databases in compliance with company standards and regulatory requirements.
• Maintain organized filing systems (digital and physical).
• Work is performed at your designated location.
• Exhibit strong organizational, documentation, communication, and computer skills, including proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and related programs.
• Perform job duties in a safety-regulated environment where chemicals are used.
• Must be able to function within a team environment.
• Perform additional duties as assigned by the Manager/Supervisor or designated leadership. 

Education and Experience:

• 15+ years of work experience in purchasing, procurement, sourcing, supply chain, vendor management, technical sales, or a closely related role.
• Engineering or Technical Degree’s are not required but can substitute for some work experience. Preferred Degree’s Chemical, Mechanical, Chemistry, Manufacturing,  Supply Chain Management, Business Administration, Operations Management, or Logistics.
• Demonstrated experience purchasing technical materials, fabricated equipment, custom components, specialty equipment, or engineered systems.
• Experience in biorefinery, petroleum, chemical, or relatable industrial / manufacturing sectors.
• Ability to read, understand, and communicate around technical specifications, drawings, datasheets, bills of materials, and vendor documentation.
• Strong vendor management, negotiation, and relationship-building skills.
• Demonstrated ability to identify alternative vendors, develop supplier relationships, and improve cost competitiveness.
• Strong commercial judgment and ability to balance cost, quality, schedule, risk, and technical requirements.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities, suppliers, and purchase orders in a fast-paced technical environment.
• Strong organizational, analytical, communication, and problem-solving skills.
• Demonstrated proficiency in Microsoft Office and procurement, ERP, or purchasing systems.
• Familiarity with procurement contracts, master service agreements, purchase order terms, and supplier quality documentation.
• Prior experience successfully participating in work teams where personal accountability, attention to detail, collaboration, and results were required is essential. 

Physical Demands:

Work is performed in an office environment and requires the ability to operate standard office equipment and keyboards.  Work is sedentary with lifting and moving items up to twenty (20) pounds occasionally.  Repetitive motions of the wrists, hands, and/or fingers.  The worker is required to have close visual acuity to perform an activity such as preparing and analyzing data and figures, viewing a computer terminal, and extensive reading.  Must have safe work habits and perform all duties in accordance with company safety policies. Personal protective equipment is provided by the company, and its use is mandatory.

General:

This position is based in Salt Lake City, Utah with work performed on-site. CycloKinetics is an At-Will, VEVRAA, Equal Employment Opportunity Employer, E-Verify, and Drug Free Workplace. Employment is contingent upon successful completion of a background verification and drug screen.

Benefits:

CycloKinetics offers a competitive compensation and benefits package including:

• 15 Days of PTO
• 12 Paid Holidays
• Medical Insurance
• Dental Insurance
• Vision Insurance
• Health Savings Account (HSA)
• Flexible Spending Account (FSA)
• 401(k) Savings Plan (including Roth options)
• Basic Life Insurance
• Dependent Life Insurance
• Accidental Death and Dismemberment (AD&D) Insurance
• Short-Term Disability (STD)
• Long-Term Disability (LTD)
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Paid Parental Leave
• ESOP
• Bonus Potential 

EEO Statement:

CycloKinetics is an Equal Opportunity Employer and embraces diversity in our employee population. We are excited to work with talented individuals from a wide range of backgrounds. All employment decisions at CycloKinetics are based on business needs, job requirements and individual qualifications, without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, protected veteran status or special disabled veteran, marital status, parental status, pregnancy, genetic information, or any other legally protected status.

We’re looking for detail-oriented team members who pride themselves on solving problems while bringing positive energy and strong communication skills to the table. If this describes you, come join our team today and contribute to the success of our organization!