Purchasing​/Material Planner - Contractor

About Tempo

Based in San Diego, California, Tempo develops thermochemical energy storage (TCES) systems designed for energy-intensive industries. The platform enables industrial operators to shift energy use over time by sourcing power when it is most cost-effective and enables the electrification of high-temperature industrial heat at a cost advantage to using fossil fuels. By storing electricity thermochemically, the system delivers a continuous stream of combustion-free, high-temperature air at up to 1,200°C.

Tempo is backed by leading climate and energy investors, including Breakthrough Energy Ventures, Khosla Ventures, and Prelude Ventures.

For more information, visit

The Purchasing / Material Planner sits at the center of Tempo's supply chain execution — turning quotes into purchase orders, keeping the master tracker current across every program, and making sure the right materials get to the right place at the right time. This role is highly cross-functional, working daily with engineering, manufacturing, quality, and finance to keep programs on schedule and cost targets on track.

This role is classified as a 1099 Independent Contractor position. As a consultant, you will not be a W-2 employee of the company. You will be responsible for your own self-employment taxes, insurance, and equipment. This role does not include company-sponsored benefits, paid time off, or unemployment/workers' compensation coverage.

• Prepare and issue RFQs to suppliers, collect and compare quotes, and support supplier selection.
• Place purchase orders and track them through supplier acknowledgement, confirming pricing, lead times, and terms.
• Follow up with suppliers to resolve discrepancies and keep POs moving.

• Maintain the master supplier/part tracker spanning tooling, manufacturing, testing, and shipments.
• Flag schedule risks and supply constraints early, and keep stakeholders informed.
• Keep tracker data accurate and current as programs evolve.

• Coordinate shipments of samples and materials between Tempo and its suppliers.
• Arrange and track supplier-to-supplier shipments.
• Troubleshoot logistics issues (customs, carriers, damaged or delayed shipments) to keep material flowing.

• Maintain supplier quotes and pricing history to support cost analysis.
• Maintain accurate BOM inputs and ensure data ties out across systems.
• Support cost roll-ups and should-cost comparisons.

• Keep RFQs, drawings/revisions, and supplier documentation current and organized.
• Maintain commercial records (quotes, POs, terms, agreements) for audit and reference.
• Ensure documentation aligns with the latest engineering revisions.

• 2+ years of experience in purchasing, procurement, supply chain, or materials planning (hardware or manufacturing environment preferred).
• Strong organizational skills and comfort owning a high volume of moving pieces across multiple programs at once.
• Proficiency with spreadsheets (Excel/Google Sheets); ERP or PLM system experience a plus.
• Clear written and verbal communication with suppliers and internal stakeholders.
• Comfortable reading engineering drawings and BOMs.
• A proactive, detail-oriented approach — you catch problems before they become delays.
• Experience in energy, hardware, or industrial manufacturing.
• Familiarity with international shipping/logistics and customs documentation.
• Exposure to cost modeling or should-cost analysis.

• Sitting and standing:
  Extended periods at a desk performing computer-based design, simulation, and documentation work, balanced with time at a lab bench or in the shop during hardware build and testing.
• Lifting and…