Designated Procurement Representative (Vendor Liaison Specialist 1/2)

Note to Applicants: Due to federal restrictions contained in the current National Defense Authorization Act, citizens of the People's Republic of China-including the special administrative regions of Hong Kong and Macau-as well as citizens of the Islamic Republic of Iran, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (North Korea), and the Russian Federation, who are not Lawful Permanent Residents ("green card" holders) are prohibited from accessing facilities that support the mission, functions, and operations of national security laboratories and nuclear weapons production facilities, which includes Los Alamos National Laboratory. This position will serve as a liaison between technical requesters, subcontractors, and various internal organizations including Acquisition Services Management Division, Institutional Quality & Performance Assurance Division, and others, and will track material from request received, through RFQ, order awarded, and up to delivery.

What You Will Do

This position will be filled at either Vendor Liaison Specialist 1 or Vendor Liaison Specialist 2, depending on the skills of the selected candidate(s).

Come join the best and brightest minds in the world at one of the most innovative and creative multidisciplinary research institutions engaged in strategic science on behalf of national security. The work we do at Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) matters to our country and the world!

The Procurement Engineering & Acquisition Management Group within the Supply Chain & Logistics (SCL) Division is seeking highly motivated and customer focused individuals to join our team as a Vendor Liaison Specialist (VLS) 1 or 2. The selected candidate will support the acquisition, coordination, tracking, and delivery of project and design materials needed to execute institutional and programmatic work at Los Alamos National Laboratory.

The successful candidate will use independent judgment and initiative to prepare and review procurement related documents (i.e., specifications, quotations, and quality documents), and will comply with strict industry practices, policies, and procedures specifically relating to procurement and quality. They will also demonstrate the ability to work independently and as part of a cohesive team. One will conduct research and resolve complex material issues independently and collaboratively, ensuring milestones are delivered timely and compliantly.

This position will serve as a liaison between technical requesters, subcontractors, and various internal organizations including Acquisition Services Management Division, Institutional Quality & Performance Assurance Division, and others, and will track material from request received, through RFQ, order awarded, and up to delivery.

Salary Range: While the posted salary range for this position is broad, it is highly unusual for selected applicants to be hired at the top end of the range and more common for selected candidates to grow into the full salary band over time.

• Vendor Liaison Specialist 1: $66,100 to $103,600
• Vendor Liaison Specialist 2: $80,400 to $127,900

#shiftwork

What You Need

Minimum Job Requirements: Applicants must submit a comprehensive resume reflective of relevant experience that addresses the minimum job requirements and desired qualifications of the position below for full consideration.

• Education/Experience Vendor Liaison Specialist 1: Position requires an Associate's Degree from an accredited institution; or, equivalent experience directly related to the occupation.
• Education/Experience Vendor Liaison Specialist 2: Position requires a Bachelor's Degree in a relevant area from an accredited institution and a minimum of 5 years related experience; or, an equivalent combination of education and experience.

• Functionality:
• • Proven record of using independent judgment and initiative to prepare and review procurement related documents (i.e., specifications, quotations, and quality documents).
  • Demonstrated ability to comply with industry practices, policies, and procedures specifically relating to procurement and quality.
  • Demonstrated ability to work independently and as part of a cohesive team.
  • Proven ability to conduct research and resolve complex material issues independently and collaboratively.
  • Thorough experience and skill in identifying problem areas, investigating alternative solutions, and determining action to be performed on problems affecting procurements, maintenance, and site services subcontract management.
  • Proven record of reliability and can maintain consistent participation, promptness, and follow through on assigned tasks.
• Computing/Business Systems:
• • Advanced computer skills.
  • Demonstrated proficient experience with Inventory Control, Material Tracking systems, and proficient in various software suites, including but not limited to, Microsoft Office suite including Word, Excel, Access, and Visio.
• Customer Service:
• • Exceptional customer service skills.
  • The ability to provide clear, concise support and guidance to others in sometimes stressful situations.
  • Experience interacting professionally with all types of personnel, including external interfaces and executive management.
  • Demonstrates the ability to collaborate effectively with team members and contribute to a positive team environment.
• Communication:
• • Proven ability to provide clear, concise guidance to varied audiences.
  • Experience interacting professionally with all types of personnel, including external vendors and executive management.
  • Strong interpersonal and communication skills with the ability to build and maintain positive relationships.
• Organizational Skills:
• • Possess high attention to detail including excellent organizational skills, analytical thinking, observational skills, and problem-solving skills all to include high accuracy.
  • Proven ability to multitask and adjust to the workings of a dynamic and cohesive fast paced team environment.

Qualifications We Desire:

• Vendor Liaison Specialist 1:
• • An Associate's Degree in business administration, supply chain management, procurement, logistics, project management, or information systems.
  • Experience supporting procurement, purchasing, material management, supply chain, logistics, construction, engineering, manufacturing, maintenance, or project execution.
  • Experience working directly with suppliers, technical customers, project personnel, and cross functional organizations.
  • Experience with Ariba, SAP, Oracle, enterprise resource planning systems, procurement systems, or comparable material tracking applications.
  • Familiarity with catalog and non-catalog purchasing processes, requests for quotation, purchase requisitions, purchase orders, and procurement documentation.
  • Experience researching suppliers, requesting quotations, comparing pricing and lead times, and tracking supplier commitments.
  • Experience maintaining material status from initial request through ordering, delivery, receipt, inspection, and closeout.
  • Experience maintaining accurate, organized, and audit ready electronic records.
  • Proficiency with Microsoft Excel, Outlook, Word, Teams, and other business productivity applications.
  • Experience working in a high-volume environment with changing priorities and time sensitive material needs.
  • Demonstrated commitment to teamwork, customer service, safe conduct of work, security, quality, and professional integrity.
  • Experience working in a Department of Energy facility, national laboratory, nuclear environment, or other highly regulated organization.
  • An active DOE Q-level clearance.

• Vendor Liaison Specialist 2: In addition to the desired qualifications outlined for the Vendor Liaison Specialist 1 above, desired qualifications for the Vendor Liaison Specialist 2 are:
• • A Bachelor's Degree in business administration, supply chain management, procurement, logistics, project management, or information systems.
  • Advanced experience independently managing complex, specialized, urgent, limited source, long lead, or high-priority material requirements.
  • Experience developing sourcing approaches and coordinating supplier engagement for technically complex or difficult to obtain material.
  • Demonstrated experience resolving significant supplier performance, quotation, documentation, delivery, receiving, inspection, or procurement system issues.
  • Working knowledge of quality level material, approved or evaluated supplier requirements, inspection documentation, acceptance plans, commercial grade dedication, or nuclear quality assurance requirements.
  • Experience coordinating procurements involving NQA 1 material, quality documentation, technical evaluations, or limited qualified supplier availability.
  • Experience analyzing material need dates, supplier lead times, procurement constraints, and competing priorities to recommend sequencing or escalation.
  • Experience identifying and communicating procurement risks that may affect project cost, schedule, quality, compliance, or execution milestones.
  • Experience developing reports, dashboards, procedures, templates, desk guides, training materials, or procurement process improvements.
  • Experience leading work activities, mentoring less experienced personnel, providing backup coordination, or supporting team workload distribution.
  • Experience representing an organization in cross functional meetings and providing material status or procurement risk information to project and organizational leadership.
  • Experience supporting assessments, audits, corrective actions, or formal records reviews.
  • Current or previous delegated purchasing, procurement, or purchasing card authority, where applicable.
  • An active DOE Q-level clearance.

Term Appointment: This position is for a Term Appointment: hired for periods of up to a maximum of 10 years. Term employees are at-will and may be terminated at any time.

Work Location: The work location for this position is on-site with the opportunity to transition to a hybrid schedule with locations in Los Alamos, NM and Santa Fe, NM. Hybrid is defined as working partially onsite (up to 80%)/partially offsite, but within a 2-hour ground commute of Los Alamos, NM. This is not a Telework or Remote position. All work locations are at the discretion of management and can change at any time with appropriate notice.

Work Schedule: This position may/will require 24/7 coverage, which could/will involve working a shift/weekend schedule. Employees may be eligible for the shift differential pay when assigned by their manager. Shift/weekend assignments are at the discretion of the manager.

Note to Applicants: Due to federal restrictions contained in the current National Defense Authorization Act, citizens of the People's Republic of China-including the special administrative regions of Hong Kong and Macau-as well as citizens of the Islamic Republic of Iran, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (North Korea), and the Russian Federation, who are not Lawful Permanent Residents ("green card" holders) are prohibited from accessing facilities that support the mission, functions, and operations of national security laboratories and nuclear weapons production facilities, which includes Los Alamos National Laboratory.
Where You Will Work

Located in beautiful northern New Mexico, Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) is a multidisciplinary research institution engaged in strategic science on behalf of national security. Our generous benefits package includes:

• PPO or High-Deductible medical insurance with the same large nationwide network
• Dental and Vision insurance
• Free basic life and disability insurance
• Paid childbirth and parental leave
• Award-winning 401(k) (6% matching plus 3.5% annually)
• Learning opportunities and tuition assistance
• Flexible schedules and time off (PTO and holidays)
• Onsite gyms and wellness programs
• Extensive relocation packages (outside a 50-mile radius)

Additional Details

Directive 206.2: Employment with Triad requires a favorable decision by NNSA indicating employee is suitable under NNSA Supplemental Directive 206.2. Please note that this requirement applies only to citizens of the United States. Foreign nationals are subject to a similar requirement under DOE Order 142.3A.

Clearance: Q (Position will be cleared to this level). Selected applicants will be subject to a background investigation conducted by or on behalf of the Federal Government and must meet eligibility requirements* for access to classified matter. This position requires a Q clearance and obtaining such clearance requires US Citizenship except in extremely rare circumstances. Dependent upon the position, additional authorization to access classified information may be required, which may or may not be available to dual citizens. Receipt of a Q clearance and additional access authorization ultimately is a decision of the Federal Government and not of Triad.

*Eligibility requirements: To obtain a clearance, an individual must be at least 18 years of age; U.S. citizenship is required except in very limited circumstances. See DOE Order 472.2 for additional information.

New-Employment Drug Test: The Laboratory requires successful applicants to complete a new-employment drug test and maintains a substance abuse policy that includes random drug testing. Although New Mexico and other states have legalized the use of marijuana, use and possession of marijuana remain illegal under federal law. A positive drug test for marijuana will result in termination of employment, even if the use was pre-offer.

Equal Opportunity: Los Alamos National Laboratory is an equal opportunity employer. All employment practices are based on qualification and merit, without regard to protected categories such as race, color, national origin, ancestry, religion, age, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, marital status or spousal affiliation, physical or mental disability, medical conditions, pregnancy, status as a protected veteran, genetic information, or citizenship within the limits imposed by applicable federal, state and local laws and regulations.

The Laboratory is also committed to making our workplace accessible to individuals with disabilities and will provide reasonable accommodations, upon request, for individuals to participate in the application and hiring process. To request such an accommodation, please send an email to applyhelp@lanl.gov or call (505)-664-6947 opt. 3.