Senior Buyer

About the role

D-Wave is seeking a Senior Buyer to join our Supply Chain team. In this role, you will support and collaborate with our R&D Engineering and Production teams to ensure they have the materials needed to build and improve our leading-edge quantum computers. You'll work with a passionate, innovative team developing technology that is transforming how complex problems are solved.

• Strategic Procurement & Sourcing
• Manage end-to-end procurement activities for assigned commodities, components, equipment, and services
• Develop and execute sourcing strategies that balance cost, quality, lead time, technical requirements, and supply continuity
• Identify, evaluate, qualify, and develop new suppliers, including building and expanding D-Wave's U.S. supplier network
• Lead RFQ/RFP activities, supplier evaluations, bid analysis, and commercial negotiations
• Negotiate pricing, lead times, payment terms, minimum order quantities, delivery schedules, and other commercial terms
• Identify and execute cost-reduction and cost-avoidance opportunities while maintaining quality and supply continuity
• Support make/buy and sourcing decisions through market research, supplier analysis, and total-cost-of-ownership considerations

• Develop and maintain strong supplier relationships and serve as a primary commercial point of contact for assigned suppliers
• Monitor supplier performance related to quality, delivery, cost, responsiveness, and overall business performance
• Proactively identify supply risks, material shortages, capacity constraints, long-lead-time issues and develop appropriate mitigation plans
• Work with suppliers and internal stakeholders to resolve delivery, quality, pricing, and commercial issues
• Support supplier performance reviews and continuous improvement initiatives
• Develop alternate and second-source strategies for critical components where appropriate

• Partner closely with Engineering and Production teams to support prototype builds, NPI activities, production requirements, and engineering changes
• Review BOMs, drawings, specifications, and material requirements to identify sourcing risks and procurement requirements
• Work proactively with Engineering to identify supplier capabilities, alternative materials, and sourcing options during the design and development process
• Support ECO/ECR implementation and ensure purchasing requirements are updated appropriately
• Respond to urgent production requirements and material shortages while balancing immediate needs with long-term supply strategy

• Manage purchase orders from requisition through delivery, ensuring accurate pricing, quantities, delivery dates, and commercial terms
• Maintain accurate purchasing and supplier information within D-Wave's ERP system
• Monitor open purchase orders, supplier commitments, and material availability to support production and project schedules
• Collaborate with Planning, Inventory, Logistics, Receiving, Finance, and Quality to resolve supply chain issues
• Support inventory optimization and minimize excess, obsolete, and slow-moving material where possible
• Identify opportunities to improve procurement processes, supplier management practices, reporting, and data quality

• Bachelor's degree in supply chain management, Business, Engineering, Operations, or related discipline, or equivalent relevant experience
• 5-8 plus years of progressive procurement, purchasing, or strategic sourcing experience, preferably within high-tech, electronics, semiconductor, scientific instrumentation, or complex manufacturing environments
• Demonstrated experience independently managing suppliers and procurement activities
• Strong negotiation and commercial decision-making skills demonstrated success in supplier negotiations and cost reduction
• Experience sourcing technical components, mechanical/electrical assemblies, electronics, capital equipment, or specialized manufacturing services
• Strong understanding of supplier selection, qualification, performance management, and supply risk mitigation
• Experience supporting Engineering, NPI, prototype builds, and production environments
• Ability to interpret BOMs, technical specifications, drawings, and engineering requirements
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to evaluate pricing, supplier proposals, lead times, and total cost
• Experience working with ERP/MRP systems;
  Net Suite experience is an asset
• Strong Microsoft Excel and data-analysis skills
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Demonstrated ability to build productive relationships with suppliers and internal stakeholders
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail, with the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment
• Ability to work independently, take ownership, and make sound procurement decisions with limited day-to-day supervision

• We look at the future and say "why not"; we see possibilities where others see…