We are seeking a Senior International Buyer to serve as a critical strategic link between our global supply base and our primary manufacturing hub. While based in the Southern California 'Golf Corridor' to provide high-touch oversight of our Mexico operations, this role has a truly global footprint, managing strategic sourcing and procurement execution across Asia and North America. You will lead the flow of high-precision components through a complex, multi-node supply chain, ensuring that innovation at our Oregon HQ is supported by a robust and scalable global vendor network.
This is a high-impact role designed for a seasoned professional who thrives at the intersection of strategic sourcing and hands-on supplier relationship management. You will serve as our primary "on-the-ground" representative for our Mexico operations, conducting regular site visits to ensure production alignment, while maintaining a strong connection to our core culture through approximately one week per month at our Oregon headquarters (25% total travel).
Responsibilities and Duties
Strategic Sourcing & Supplier Relationship Management (SRM)
• Act as the primary liaison for our Tijuana-based manufacturing partners, ensuring real-time visibility into production health and quality standards.
• Lead the strategic sourcing and lifecycle management for critical components across Asia and North America, identifying Tier 1 and Tier 2 suppliers capable of supporting L.A.B. Golf’s rapid scaling.
• Support the evaluation, selection, and performance management of global suppliers to ensure cost competitiveness and quality.
• Support negotiation of high-value contracts, lead times, and service terms to improve L.A.B. Golf’s bottom line from a Procurement perspective.
• Conduct quarterly business reviews (QBRs) with key partners, driving accountability for quality and delivery.
• Develop and execute contingency sourcing strategies to mitigate global supply chain disruptions.
Procurement Execution & MRP Management
• Own the MRP (Material Requirements Planning) process, ensuring data integrity and timely execution of "Buy" signals.
• Manage the full PO lifecycle for high-complexity SKUs, including creation, expediting, and reconciliation.
• Coordinate with outsource manufacturing partners and international suppliers to ensure supply continuity across all distribution centers.
• Ensure Continuity of Supply: Proactively monitor global supply signals and supplier health to identify risks early. Execute safety stock strategies and alternative sourcing plans to guarantee 100% material availability for the production floor.
• Develop and maintain a Risk Register for critical Tier 1 and Tier 2 components; implement safety stock levels and 'buffer' strategies toinsulate production from lead-time volatility.
• Lead the 'Expedite/De-expedite' process by monitoring global transit lanes and supplier production schedules to ensure zero line-down events.
Inventory & Financial Performance
• Manage key procurement KPIs: Purchase Price Variance (PPV), Inventory Turns, and On-Time Material Availability.
• Balance service levels against lead times and working capital constraints to minimize excess and obsolete (E&O) inventory.
• Collaborate with Finance on purchase order reconciliation, invoice verification, and annual budgeting.
Team Leadership & Process Improvement
• Act as the functional lead for the Buyer/Planner team, providing mentorship, training, and standardized process expectations.
• Identify and implement process improvements within the ERP (NetSuite/SAP) to streamline the "Procure-to-Pay" workflow.
• Drive cross-functional alignment between Sales (forecasts), Product Development (NPI), and Production (capacity).
Qualifications, Skills & Attributes
Education
• Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management, Business Administration, or Engineering required. APICS (CPIM/CSCP) or CPSM certification preferred.
• Equivalent work experience in procurement, sourcing, or supply chain coordination will be considered.
Experience
• 5+ years of experience in international procurement, with proven success managing Asia-based supply chains and Southern California/Mexico 'Maquiladora' operations with a preferred background in premium sporting goods or high-precision manufacturing.
• Experience working with vendors, service providers, or external partners in a business environment preferred.
• Familiarity with sourcing, vendor evaluation, and purchase order management is a plus.
• Knowledge of L.A.B. Golf’s products, operational workflows, or business processes is an advantage.
Technical Skills
• Expert-level Microsoft Excel skills (Pivot Tables, VLOOKUPs, Power Query); ability to build dashboards to monitor vendor performance and service metrics.
• Experience with ERP systems or procurement/purchasing modules (e.g., NetSuite, SAP, or similar) preferred.
• Ability to manage and interpret vendor performance metrics, order statuses, and lead times.
• Comfortable using dashboards, shared tools, and communication platforms to support procurement and reporting.
Desired Attributes
• Strong attention to detail and exceptional organizational and follow-through skills.
• Effective communicator with the ability to build and maintain positive relationships with vendors and internal teams.
• Skilled negotiator with a focus on achieving cost savings while maintaining quality and service standards.
• Adaptable and resourceful in managing shifting priorities and timelines in a fast-paced environment.
• Proactive problem-solver who anticipates challenges and identifies process improvement opportunities.
• Collaborative team player with a strong sense of accountability and ownership over deliverables.
Physical & Cognitive Requirements
As part of our commitment to providing equal opportunities, we welcome and encourage individuals of all abilities to apply. The following outlines the core physical and cognitive functions typically required to perform this role. Reasonable accommodation(s) will be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform these essential functions.
Physical Requirements
• Ability to travel approximately 25% of the time, primarily for site visits in Tijuana and synergy weeks in Creswell, OR, with occasional international travel to Asia for supplier audits and relationship development.
• Must possess a valid driver’s license and a current passport for international travel.
• Ability to sit at a computer workstation for extended periods while managing purchase orders, tracking subcontractor performance, and maintaining procurement and planning tools.
• Manual dexterity to operate a keyboard, mouse, and standard office equipment with accuracy and efficiency.
• Adequate vision to read and interpret order details, production schedules, and supplier documentation in both digital and printed formats.
• Ability to occasionally lift and move binders, reports, or small component samples weighing up to 20 pounds.
• Capability to move between office, production, and warehouse areas to collaborate with internal teams, inspect components, or verify supplier shipments as needed.
• Tolerance for prolonged screen time while maintaining concentration, precision, and attention to detail across multiple concurrent tasks.
• Ability to work in a dynamic, fast-paced environment that may require adjusting between administrative and on-floor coordination activities.
Cognitive Requirements
• Exceptional attention to detail to ensure accuracy in purchase orders, communication logs, and procurement tracking dashboards.
• Effective problem-solving and decision-making abilities to resolve production delays, capacity challenges, and shifting priorities.
• Ability to manage multiple vendor relationships, deadlines, and procurement tasks simultaneously while maintaining accuracy and organization.
• Clear, professional communication skills for coordinating between internal stakeholders and external partners.
• Adaptability and resilience in responding to last-minute changes in demand, lead times, or supplier performance.
• Strong planning and prioritization skills to balance immediate production needs with long-term procurement objectives.
• Commitment to continuous improvement and process optimization within the procurement and supply chain workflow.