Our mission is to detect cancer early, when it can be cured. We are working to change the trajectory of cancer mortality and bring stakeholders together to adopt innovative, safe, and effective technologies that can transform cancer care.
We are a healthcare company, pioneering new technologies to advance early cancer detection. We have built a multi-disciplinary organization of scientists, engineers, and physicians and we are using the power of next-generation sequencing (NGS), population-scale clinical studies, and state-of-the-art computer science and data science to overcome one of medicine’s greatest challenges.
GRAIL is headquartered in the bay area of California, with locations in Washington, D.C., North Carolina, and the United Kingdom. It is supported by leading global investors and pharmaceutical, technology, and healthcare companies.
The Senior Buyer independently leads procurement activities of moderate/large scope and complexity to ensure the organization secures goods and services that meet quality, cost, and delivery objectives. This exempt professional role applies advanced judgment and negotiation skills to supplier management, contract development, and category strategy execution. The Senior Buyer partners cross-functionally to align sourcing decisions with business priorities, contributes to supplier performance improvement, and supports the continuous advancement of procurement practices across the organization.
This role is based at our Durham, North Carolina, office and offers a flexible working arrangement. It offers a flexible work arrangement, with the ability to work from GRAIL's office or from home. Our current flexible work arrangement policy requires that a minimum of 60%, or 24 hours, of your total work week be on-site. Your specific schedule, determined in collaboration with your manager, will align with team and business needs and could exceed the 60% requirement for the site.
Responsibilities:
- Partner with key function(s) within the organization
- Lead sourcing and procurement for materials, equipment, and services, applying strategic and analytical judgment to achieve optimal cost, quality, and delivery outcomes.
- Manage day-to-day Source-to-Pay processing in GRAIL’s ERP systems - incl. processing purchase reqs, oversight to invoices as needed, new supplier creation
- Develop and execute supplier negotiations, contracts, and pricing agreements that align with business and compliance requirements, including modeling out complex cost models, savings, negotiation preparationPartner with internal stakeholders to define specifications, demand forecasts, and project requirements supporting operational and strategic goals.
- Manage supplier relationships to ensure performance, quality, and service levels are met while identifying opportunities for improvement and innovation.
- Resolve escalated supplier and contractual issues using sound professional discretion and business acumen.
- Contribute to the development of category strategies, sourcing frameworks, and process improvements that enhance procurement efficiency and value delivery.
- Prepare procurement analyses, spend reports, and performance summaries to support data-driven decision-making.
- Provide guidance and mentorship to less experienced buyers to strengthen team capability and consistency of execution.
- Ensure all procurement activities adhere to corporate policies, ethical standards, and applicable regulatory requirements.
- These responsibilities summarize the role’s primary responsibilities and are not an exhaustive list. They may change at the company’s discretion
Required Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain, Business Administration, Finance, or related field.
- 5+ years of relevant procurement, sourcing, or supply chain experience; or Master’s degree with 2+ years of experience.
- Demonstrated experience leading negotiations and managing supplier relationships.
- Proficiency in ERP /Source-to-Pay systems, procurement tools, and contract management processes.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Have a high attention to detail; be organized and have the ability to keep track of many different activities at one time
- Have excellent communication skills, both written and verbal, incl. influencing skills.
- Ability to “manage up’' within the organization. Become a valuable partner to all of our internal stakeholders.
- Have a talent for developing single function strategy within a growing organization
- Thrive in a dynamic environment
- Be a team player and a collaborative peer
- Have the ability to take information and run with itHave demonstrated skills in problem identification, analysis, and resolution
- Multi-issue negotiation skills
- Strong analytical ability to assess supplier proposals, cost drivers, and market trends.
- Proven ability to manage multiple complex procurement projects simultaneously.
- Ability to mentor and provide guidance to less experienced team members.
- Work with a high sense of urgency
- Demonstrated level of knowledge regarding applicable regulatory standards commensurate with the position's complexity and scope, contributing to organizational regulatory compliance. Minimal applicable standards for this position include:
- GMP quality management systems (e.g. ISO 13485)
- Preferred experience with Coupa and/or Netsuite
Physical Demands & Working Environment:
- Standard office environment with frequent use of procurement systems and reporting tools.
- Occasional travel (5-10%) for supplier visits, audits, or project-related meetings.
- Workload may intensify during major sourcing initiatives, contract negotiations, or fiscal year-end cycles.
- Regular interaction with external suppliers and internal senior stakeholders.
- Hours and days may vary depending on operational needs.
- Standing or sitting for long periods of time may be necessary.
- May be exposed to hazardous materials, blood specimens and instruments with moving parts, heating or freezing elements, and high speed centrifugation.
- Some lifting (up to 25 pounds) may be necessary.
Expected full time annual base pay scale for this position is $94K-$125K. Actual base pay will consider skills, experience and location.
This role may be eligible for other forms of compensation, including an annual bonus and/or incentives, subject to the terms of the applicable plans and Company discretion. This range reflects a good-faith estimate of the range that the Company reasonably expects to pay for the position upon hire; the actual compensation offered may vary depending on factors such as the candidate’s qualifications. Employees in this role are also eligible for GRAIL’s comprehensive and competitive benefits package, offered in accordance with our applicable plans and policies. This package currently includes flexible time-off or vacation; a 401(k) retirement plan with employer match; medical, dental, and vision coverage; and carefully selected mindfulness programs.
GRAIL is an equal employment opportunity employer, and we are committed to building a workplace where every individual can thrive, contribute, and grow. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, disability, status as a protected veteran, , or any other class or characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, and local laws. Additionally, GRAIL will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records in a manner consistent with applicable law and provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities. Please contact us at
[email protected] if you require an accommodation to apply for an open position.
GRAIL maintains a drug-free workplace. We welcome job-seekers from all backgrounds to join us!
