Senior Procurement Buyer

Job Description

Company: Counter

Job Title: Senior Buyer, Procurement

Location: Santa Monica, CA – hybrid role

Reports To: Director of Sourcing

About Us

We are a startup revolutionizing beauty with a purpose; create the industry standard of “clean”. Our premium skincare, makeup, and body care formulations combine uncompromising safety, efficacy and environmental responsibility. And our vision transcends products. We are committed to inspiring confident women (and others) to recognize their collective power to create meaningful change. Our innovative community-commerce ecosystem connects customers, beauty enthusiasts, and loyalists, allowing each person to align with our brand in ways that authentically reflect their values and aspirations. From our formulas to our advocacy efforts to our community connection, we lead clean.

The Role

The Sr. Buyer will be responsible for ensuring our suppliers are meeting our performance expectations and supply chain goals. This role will create weekly schedules and orders, provide direction and guidance to suppliers for production priority and ensure timely delivery. This role requires a close partnership with several departments to facilitate all the cross functional needs as it pertains to components & finished goods and select raw materials. The goal is to ensure the smooth and cost-efficient flow of our production operations. for managing all component level skus related to purchasing assigned finished goods. Ensure suppliers are set up to proactively identify/mitigate risks. Support new product introduction and on-going production orders. In addition, we are seeking someone who can make recommendations to the department for better results, which include better results, better methodologies, system improvements and streamlining procedures. Maintain positive relations with various internal departments such as Quality, Finance and Packaging team in a timely and professional manner. This position will be reporting to the Director of Procurement/Sourcing and have a vital role in Operations.

Key Responsibilities

Procurement & Supplier Management

• Strong communication skills and able to share effective feedback with clarity

• Ability to guide and provide informal leadership to cross-functional teams

• Responsible for placing Purchase Orders with suppliers/contract manufacturers, to meet demand

• Manage suppliers for Cost, Quality and Delivery

Process Optimization & Leadership

• Responsible for managing the supplier scorecard assigned

• Accountable for ensuring supplier master data within the system is accurate

• Handling the day-to-day functioning of the buying department to hit our in-stock targets

• Provide leadership and optimization of the function, implementing best in class end to end vendor management processes & create/maintain the structure, process, technology, talent, practices and metrics needed to deliver the plan and build for the future

Production Planning & Supply Coordination

• Streamline production schedules with contract manufacturers to maximize capacity and coordinate component deliveries to meet on time deliverables

• Provide recommendations to ensure production priorities and efficiency

• Ensure on-time launches across new products through strategic partnerships with key contract manufacturers

• Collaborate cross functionally with internal stakeholders (PD, R&D, Product Marketing, Supply Chain and Packaging) to develop and roll out processes to achieve company goals

• Identify and resolve any discrepancies with quantity, delivery, cost and quality & maintain expedite shipping cost tracking

• Excel skills required for reporting

Qualifications

Required:

• Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management, Business, or a related field.

• 5–7 years of experience in procurement or supply chain management, preferably within beauty, personal care, or CPG industries.

• Proven experience managing suppliers, negotiating costs, and supporting new product introductions.

• Strong Excel and analytical skills; experience with ERP systems (e.g., NetSuite, SAP, Oracle).

• Excellent communication, organization, and problem-solving skills.

• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced, evolving environment.

Preferred:

• Experience working with contract manufacturers and international suppliers.

• Knowledge of clean beauty standards or sustainability-driven sourcing.

• Familiarity with PLM systems and data management best practices.

Counter is a people-powered movement that starts with those behind it! We're building a team that reflects the diversity of the communities we serve, where every individual is respected, supported, and empowered to thrive.

We know that different backgrounds, identities, and perspectives make us stronger, more creative, and better equipped to drive change. That’s why we’re committed to fostering an inclusive culture where everyone belongs.

Counter is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. We do not discriminate based on race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender/gender identity or expression, age, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other legally protected status. We encourage all individuals to apply and join us in shaping a cleaner, more inclusive future for all.