Direct Materials Operational Buyer at Lonza Inc. in Vacaville, California

Job Description:

Today, Lonza is a global leader in life sciences operating across five continents. While we work in science, there’s no magic formula to how we do it. Our greatest scientific solution is talented people working together, devising ideas that help businesses to help people. In exchange, we let our people own their careers. Their ideas, big and small, genuinely improve the world. And that’s the kind of work we want to be part of.

Join Lonza as a Direct Materials Operational Buyer in Vacaville, CA, and be part of an ambitious team pushing the boundaries of life sciences. This outstanding opportunity allows you to work closely with our procurement and strategic buying teams, ensuring flawless operations and outstanding supplier management. At Lonza, we value collaboration and continuous improvement, and you will play a crucial role in our ongoing growth and success.

Key responsibilities:

• Perform operational sourcing and procurement activities.


• Monitor and track supplier performance, providing feedback to strategic buyers and category managers.


• Support the implementation of supplier changes and other initiatives led by Central Category managers and Site Strategic Buyers.


• Collaborate with the broader procurement team to ensure all relevant material and vendor master data and outline agreements are up-to-date in SAP.


• Handle all Level 2 vendor blocking issues, including confirming delivery dates, adjusting delivery dates based on demand, resolving pricing discrepancies, and addressing shipping problems.


• Manage vendor performance, driving improvements in timely delivery, quality conformance, and compliance.


• Resolve vendor returns, including RMA, cost recovery, and replacements.


• Conduct regular open order review meetings with vendors.


• Handle AP inquiries, including invoice issues.


• Support internal collaborators to onboard and approve new raw materials and suppliers.

Key requirements:

• An associate degree preferred or equivalent combination of education and experience. Supply Chain or Material Management experience is a plus. Professional certifications (CPIM, CSCP, ISM, APICS) are preferred.


• Demonstrated knowledge of standard concepts and practices in purchasing.


• Ability to read and interpret documents such as material masters, specifications, drawings, and vendor certificates.


• Knowledge of various MRP types and their impact on inventory levels.


• Proficiency in writing routine correspondence and effectively communicating with vendors and internal partners.


• Strong mathematical skills, including the ability to work with whole numbers, fractions, and decimals.


• Demonstrated ability in buying/planning within a coordinated ERP environment, preferably with SAP and experience in purchasing and vendor management.

The full-time base annual salary range for this position is $84,600-$98,700. Compensation for the role will depend on a number of factors, including the successful candidate’s qualifications, skills, competencies, experience, and job-related knowledge. Full-time employees receive a comprehensive benefits package including performance-related bonus, medical and dental coverage, 401k plan, life insurance, short-term and long-term disability insurance, an employee assistance program, paid time off (PTO), and more.

Every day, Lonza’s products and services have a positive impact on millions of people. For us, this is not only a great privilege, but also a great responsibility. How we achieve our business results is just as important as the achievements themselves. At Lonza, we respect and protect our people and our environment. Any success we achieve is no success at all if not achieved ethically.

People come to Lonza for the challenge and creativity of solving complex problems and developing new ideas in life sciences. In return, we offer the satisfaction that comes with improving lives all around the world. The satisfaction that comes with making a meaningful difference.

Lonza is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, status as a qualified individual with disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.