Materials Planner, Research and Development

We are looking for a Research & Development materials planner as part of a cross-functional research and development team whose mission is to lead IonQ on its journey to build the world’s best quantum computers to solve the world’s most complex problems. 

In this role, you will be instrumental in supporting our procurement team to acquire both commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) and custom hardware essential for advancing our quantum computing systems.

Responsibilities: 

• Support the research and development team to identify and source suppliers for both COTS and custom hardware required for our quantum computing research projects
• Assist in creating and processing purchase orders for timely acquisition of materials, ensuring compliance with procurement policies and budgetary constraints
• Maintain a meticulous record of all orders, deliveries, and material inventories, utilizing our procurement management systems for efficient material tracking
• Work closely with vendors to track shipment status and proactively address any delays or issues to meet project deadlines
• Support material planning efforts by providing accurate and timely information on lead times, costs, and availability of critical components
• Coordinate with internal stakeholders, including R&D engineers, physicists, and project managers, to understand specific material requirements and technical specifications
• Participate in cross-functional team meetings to provide procurement insights and contribute to project planning discussions
• Collaborate with finance and accounting teams to ensure accurate and timely payment processing for invoices related to research and development material procurement

You’d be a good fit with: 

• Bachelor's or Associate’s degree in Supply Chain Management, Logistics, Business Administration, or a related field with 3 years of experience in supply chain, procurement, or materials planning roles
• In lieu of formal education, a candidate with at least 6+ years of relevant experience will be considered
• Strong knowledge of procurement processes, material planning, and supplier management complex hardware systems
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills to effectively collaborate with cross-functional teams and external vendors
• Demonstrated ability to work in a fast-paced, dynamic environment with a focus on meeting deadlines with changing priorities
• Proficiency in procurement management systems like Netsuite and JIRA
• Detail-oriented and capable of managing multiple tasks simultaneously

You’d be a great fit with: 

• Knowledge of how to analyze supplier performance data to ensure reliability and consistency of suppliers, and assist in supplier evaluation and qualification processes
• Familiarity with custom optics, hardware, or photonics components is highly desirable
• Knowledge of how to identify potential cost-saving opportunities and how to present these opportunities as an analysis of alternatives