Commodity Buyer Visa Sponsorship Jobs in California

Company Overview:

MP Materials (NYSE: MP) is rebuilding American industrial capability for a new era of autonomy, robotics, and electrification.

We are the only U.S. company with a fully integrated rare earth supply chain—from mining and refining to advanced metal and magnet manufacturing. Our products include both the critical materials used to make permanent magnets and the finished magnets themselves—enabling next-generation technologies in robotics, automation, aerospace, transportation, defense, and energy systems. These materials are the foundation of physical AI—the convergence of computation, movement, and control.

We hire ambitious, mission-driven people who want to tackle complex challenges and shape the future of strategic industries. Our culture is rooted in teamwork, resiliency, and integrity, with a deep commitment to operational excellence and national purpose. MP is rapidly evolving from a materials producer into a leading U.S. manufacturer—and our people are driving that transformation.

Position Overview:

This position is responsible for purchasing and negotiating materials, equipment, and services in support of Mountain Pass Operations and Projects. The Sr Buyer assists operations, maintenance, and engineering departments in the evaluation of goods and services as needed; ensures that internal customer’s expectations and requirements are met; and debottlenecks supply chain in support of the business. The position serves as the subject matter expert for standard supply chain concepts, practices, and procedures and relies on experience and judgment to plan and accomplish goals to perform a variety of tasks. A certain degree of creativity and latitude is required. The best fit candidates will have a passion for problem solving and delivering results in a fast-paced environment. Attention to detail and communication are critical in this high visibility role designed for those seeking a career growth.

Position Responsibilities:

• Supplier Management: Identify, assess, and engage with potential suppliers, building and maintaining strong relationships while negotiating favorable terms and conditions.
• Market Analysis: Stay informed about market trends, pricing fluctuations, and geopolitical factors affecting the rare earth material supply chain, proactively addressing any potential disruptions.
• Cost Management: Work to reduce procurement costs through negotiation, supplier evaluation, and cost analysis. Identify opportunities for cost savings and efficiency improvements.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Collaborate with other departments such as production, engineering, and finance to align procurement strategies with company goals and requirements.
• Environmental and Sustainability Initiatives: Consider and incorporate sustainability and environmental factors into procurement decisions, supporting MP Materials' commitment to responsible mining.
• Technology Utilization: Leverage procurement and supply chain technology tools (SAP) to streamline processes, improve data accuracy, and enhance decision-making.
• Compliance and Risk Management: Ensure compliance with all relevant laws, regulations, and industry standards. Identify and mitigate supply chain risks, such as geopolitical or environmental factors.
• Ethical and Legal Compliance: Ensure that all procurement activities adhere to ethical standards and legal requirements, including anti-corruption and anti-bribery policies.
• Continuous Improvement: Drive continuous improvement initiatives within the procurement function to enhance efficiency, reduce costs, and increase the overall effectiveness of the supply chain.
• Other duties as assigned.

Role Specific Skillset:

• Procurement Expertise: Foundation in Procure-to-Pay (P2P) principles and processes is fundamental for a successful candidacy.
• SAP Proficiency: Experience with SAP and procurement processes for efficient procurement, inventory management, and data analysis.
• Cost Analysis and Reduction: Expertise in analyzing procurement costs, conducting cost-benefit analyses, and implementing cost-saving initiatives without compromising quality or compliance.
• Data Analytics: Proficiency in data analysis and the use of procurement software and tools to make data-driven decisions, manage P2P cycle, and track key performance indicators.
• Supplier Relationship Management: Strong skills in building and maintaining relationships with rare earth material suppliers, including negotiation, conflict resolution, and strategic collaboration.
• Supply Chain Risk Management: Proficiency in identifying and mitigating supply chain risks, including disruptions related to transportation, geopolitical events, or natural disasters.
• Contract Negotiation: Strong negotiation skills to secure favorable terms and conditions in supplier contracts, including pricing, delivery schedules, and quality standards.
• Project Management: Ability to manage procurement projects, such as supplier evaluations, sourcing initiatives, and cost-reduction projects, from initiation to completion.
• Rare Earth Market Knowledge: awareness of the rare earth market, including supply and demand dynamics, commodity trends, and geopolitical factors affecting the industry.
• Industry Experience: Familiarity with the specific challenges and regulations associated with mining and processing operations, including environmental considerations and sustainability practices.

Basic Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Supply Chain, Business, or related field preferred or (4 years' experience in lieu of degree)
• Minimum 3 years of relevant professional experience.
• Experience at an industrial, mining, or petrochemical processing facility is highly preferred.

MP Materials is Proud to be an Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action Employer

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. Underrepresented groups/Women/Disabled/Veterans are encouraged to apply. Candidates whose disabilities make them unable to meet the position’s requirements will still be considered qualified if they can perform the essential functions of the job with reasonable accommodation.

Your Right to Work – In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment verification document form upon hire.

For Assistance with Application – Alternative methods of applying for employment are available to individuals unable to submit an application through this site because of a disability. Contact Human Resources Department at 702-844-6111; dial 7 when prompted for HR; 1700 South Pavilion Center Dr. 8th Floor, Las Vegas, NV 89135 to discuss reasonable accommodation.

Safety Provision – Employees are responsible for following all company, industry and regulatory procedures and laws to ensure a safe work environment for themselves and the company. Employees must have a willingness to promote safety among the workforce, participate in Process Hazard Analysis procedures and Pre-Startup Safety Reviews.

(PPE) Personal Protective Equipment is required when performing work in a mine, manufacturing, outdoor, or plant environment. Required PPE may include, but is not limited to, hard hat, hearing protection, safety glasses, safety footwear, respirator, rubber steel-toe boots, protective clothing, gloves, and any other protective equipment as required.

Working Conditions – Our facility sits at an elevation of 4,700 feet. Employees may be subject to extreme weather conditions when working in an outdoor setting (heat and cold, wind). Work is at an open pit mine or manufacturing/chemical plant setting, which may include exposure to moving mechanical parts, toxic chemicals, risk of electrical shock, explosives, fumes, or airborne particles.

Physical Demands – Manual dexterity; sense of touch; sense of smell; speaking clearly; hearing-speech range; hearing – all ranges; seeing, reading and comprehensions; seeing – distant/near; depth perception; color vision. While performing the job responsibilities, the employee is required to talk and hear. The employee is often required to stand and use their hands and fingers, to handle or feel and to manipulate laboratory equipment. The employee is occasionally required to walk, reach with arms and hands, climb or balance, and to stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl. Vision abilities required by this job include close vision. Employees must pass a full-face respiratory fit test. Employees must be able to lift 50 lbs. Must be able to work in PPE level C. These requirements are representative, but not all-inclusive, of the knowledge, skill, and ability required of the employee.