Procurement Specialist 

Parallel Systems is seeking a Procurement Specialist to support the materials and components required to build and operate our autonomous rail vehicles. This person will work closely with engineering, operations, and suppliers to make sure parts are ordered accurately, supplier commitments are met, and upcoming needs are planned ahead. 

We are looking for someone who is organized, proactive, and persistent. This is a hands-on role for someone who can own the purchasing process, drive supplier accountability, and meet production demand in a fast-paced hardware environment. As the procurement function matures, there is opportunity to take on strategic sourcing and supplier selection. 

Key Responsibilities: 

• Own RFQs and purchase orders from request through delivery, negotiating pricing and lead time within established supplier agreements. 
• Manage supplier commitments after PO placement - confirm acknowledgments and ship dates, track deliveries, and escalate risks early. 
• Partner with engineering to understand upcoming purchasing and inventory needs. 
• Evaluate supplier capability and performance against technical, quality, capacity, and lead-time requirements; surface gaps and risks for sourcing decisions. 
• Maintain accurate purchasing, supplier, and part information in Odoo. 
• Track open orders, inventory needs, and supply risks to prevent shortages. 
•  Document and improve purchasing workflows, including Odoo configuration and supplier performance tracking.  

What Success Looks Like: 

• In 30 Days: Take ownership of purchasing for commercial off-the-shelf parts, actively issue and manage POs, and develop a strong understanding of Parallel’s Odoo environment and supply chain processes. 
• In 60 Days: Establish clear visibility into inventory and purchasing needs for the next six months, partner closely with engineering on future demand, and build a roadmap for key suppliers and upcoming supply requirements. 
• In 90 Days: Independently manage day-to-day procurement across assigned categories,  keeping open orders, inventory, and upcoming engineering demand under control with no unplanned shortages. Identify and escalate supplier capability gaps and performance risks. 

Basic Qualifications: 

• 3+ years of experience in purchasing, procurement, supply chain, or a buyer role. 
• Experience managing RFQs, purchase orders, suppliers, and delivery timelines. 
• Experience working in an ERP, MRP, or purchasing system. 
• Strong organization, follow-through, and attention to detail. 

Preferred Qualifications: 

• Experience purchasing in a low-volume, prototype, or new product introduction environment. 
• Experience in a hardware, manufacturing, automotive, aerospace, robotics, rail, or industrial environment. 
• Experience with Odoo or a similar ERP system. 
• Familiarity with BOMs, engineering drawings, or technical components.