What are the responsibilities and job description for the Buyer position at USA Rare Earth, Inc. (Nasdaq: USAR)?
Who We Are
USA Rare Earth and the Serra Verde Group are building the world's leading rare earth enterprise—a pioneering global company that excels at every stage of the value chain, from the earth to the magnet and beyond. We operate upstream mining and processing operations in Brazil and the USA, midstream metal-making operations in the UK and France, and downstream magnet-making facilities in the USA.
Our vision is to be "The Critical Elements of Progress. Delivered Responsibly. At Global Scale." We are committed to delivering a secure, sustainable supply of rare earths and critical materials that power the modern world, with an uncompromising commitment to responsible practice. The organization operates a devolved model designed for rapid, scalable growth and the development of entrepreneurial leaders.
Our organizational model is based on the principle of clear accountability and the creation of entrepreneurial enclaves which define business units reflecting the natural components of our supply chain. Each Business Unit retains a profit motive and the responsibly to deliver shareholder returns. However, this cannot occur at the expense of overall Group value.
What You Can Expect
At USA Rare Earth, we are pioneers and problem solvers, technologists and team players. Together, we:
Build Solutions: If our task was a simple one, it would already be done. We are creative and solution-oriented, and we think outside the box to solve important problems. We know that a range of expertise and technologies is needed for success, and we work across sectors and alongside customers to deliver world-class solutions in sustainable ways.
Deliver Quality: When we do things, we do them well. We believe that top-tier quality leads to industry competitiveness and we hold ourselves to the highest quality standards. We move fast when executing, but safety, quality, and excellence always come first.
Lead responsibly: We have a responsibility to the planet, our consumers, our country, and each other. We put safety at the center of all we do, take accountability for our actions, incorporate sustainable practices in our processes and act with the financial best interest of our investors and consumers in mind.
Win Together: Establishing a rare earth magnet supply chain is a big undertaking – and getting there is a team effort. We communicate openly, work together and challenge each other in pursuit of our goals. With every step we take we learn and get better.
Position Summary
USA Rare Earth is seeking a hands-on, detail-oriented Buyer to support company-wide procurement activities, including but not limited to: inventory replenishment, service and material purchases, and related agreements. This role will manage the end-to-end procurement process from RFQ to PO issuance to goods receipt, while supporting procurement best practices and audit-ready documentation.
This position will be key in developing departmental SOPs, collaborating cross-functionally across departments, and ensuring all goods and services are sourced at the right time and the best value while meeting the evolving needs of the business.
Key Responsibilities
The work environment will be a mix of a typical office environment, a manufacturing floor and a construction site. Noise level: Normal office, manufacturing and construction noises.
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this job. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, skills required of personnel so classified. The reporting relationship may not reflect the most recent changes to the corporate reporting structure.
USA Rare Earth proudly supports Equal Employment Opportunities. All employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without discrimination based on disability, protected veteran status, or any other legally protected status.
If you require assistance with the application process due to a disability, please contact people@usare.com to discuss reasonable accommodations.
The Pay Range For This Role Is
83,400 - 91,400 USD per year (Wheat Ridge, CO)
USA Rare Earth and the Serra Verde Group are building the world's leading rare earth enterprise—a pioneering global company that excels at every stage of the value chain, from the earth to the magnet and beyond. We operate upstream mining and processing operations in Brazil and the USA, midstream metal-making operations in the UK and France, and downstream magnet-making facilities in the USA.
Our vision is to be "The Critical Elements of Progress. Delivered Responsibly. At Global Scale." We are committed to delivering a secure, sustainable supply of rare earths and critical materials that power the modern world, with an uncompromising commitment to responsible practice. The organization operates a devolved model designed for rapid, scalable growth and the development of entrepreneurial leaders.
Our organizational model is based on the principle of clear accountability and the creation of entrepreneurial enclaves which define business units reflecting the natural components of our supply chain. Each Business Unit retains a profit motive and the responsibly to deliver shareholder returns. However, this cannot occur at the expense of overall Group value.
What You Can Expect
At USA Rare Earth, we are pioneers and problem solvers, technologists and team players. Together, we:
Build Solutions: If our task was a simple one, it would already be done. We are creative and solution-oriented, and we think outside the box to solve important problems. We know that a range of expertise and technologies is needed for success, and we work across sectors and alongside customers to deliver world-class solutions in sustainable ways.
Deliver Quality: When we do things, we do them well. We believe that top-tier quality leads to industry competitiveness and we hold ourselves to the highest quality standards. We move fast when executing, but safety, quality, and excellence always come first.
Lead responsibly: We have a responsibility to the planet, our consumers, our country, and each other. We put safety at the center of all we do, take accountability for our actions, incorporate sustainable practices in our processes and act with the financial best interest of our investors and consumers in mind.
Win Together: Establishing a rare earth magnet supply chain is a big undertaking – and getting there is a team effort. We communicate openly, work together and challenge each other in pursuit of our goals. With every step we take we learn and get better.
Position Summary
USA Rare Earth is seeking a hands-on, detail-oriented Buyer to support company-wide procurement activities, including but not limited to: inventory replenishment, service and material purchases, and related agreements. This role will manage the end-to-end procurement process from RFQ to PO issuance to goods receipt, while supporting procurement best practices and audit-ready documentation.
This position will be key in developing departmental SOPs, collaborating cross-functionally across departments, and ensuring all goods and services are sourced at the right time and the best value while meeting the evolving needs of the business.
Key Responsibilities
- Manage the procurement lifecycle for indirect and direct purchases: request for quotes, PO creation, order placement, delivery tracking, and follow-up.
- Procure inventory items, corporate materials, office supplies, services, and small equipment across departments.
- Partner with internal stakeholders to anticipate needs, gather requirements, and ensure timely material and service availability.
- Ensure timely and accurate entry of POs, updates to vendor data, and supporting documentation, adhering to company purchasing policies.
- Assist in developing and implementing procurement SOPs, approval workflows, and standard forms.
- Maintain accurate procurement records, quotes, and receipts for audit and SOX compliance.
- Monitor supplier performance, lead times, and quality of goods and services.
- Identify opportunities to reduce cost, consolidate vendors, and improve procurement efficiency.
- Collaborate with Accounts Payable to resolve invoice or receipt discrepancies.
- Support the receiving function as needed.
- Support continuous improvement efforts in procurement processes, policies, and systems.
- Serve as a cross-functional partner to operations, engineering, finance, and administration teams as needed.
- Travel to facility locations, as needed.
- 3 years experience in a Procurement or Supply Chain role, preferably in a manufacturing environment.
- Bachelor’s Degree in related field of study. Experience can be considered in lieu of higher education.
- Experience with inventory and indirect procurement, vendor communication, and PO lifecycle management.
- Strong attention to detail, organizational skills, and a self-starter mindset.
- Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.
- Experience using ERP or purchasing systems (Microsoft Business Central, Dynamics 365, NetSuite, SAP, etc.) and Excel/Smartsheet.
- Experience with process creation, audit support, or compliance frameworks.
- Knowledge of basic contract terms and vendor onboarding processes.
- Proficiency in record keeping and documentation practices.
- Strong interpersonal and communication skills.
- Commitment to delivering best value and maintaining procurement integrity.
The work environment will be a mix of a typical office environment, a manufacturing floor and a construction site. Noise level: Normal office, manufacturing and construction noises.
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this job. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, skills required of personnel so classified. The reporting relationship may not reflect the most recent changes to the corporate reporting structure.
USA Rare Earth proudly supports Equal Employment Opportunities. All employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without discrimination based on disability, protected veteran status, or any other legally protected status.
If you require assistance with the application process due to a disability, please contact people@usare.com to discuss reasonable accommodations.
The Pay Range For This Role Is
83,400 - 91,400 USD per year (Wheat Ridge, CO)