This role is as a Buyer in support of the Procurement Organization for the Contract for Organizing Spaceflight Mission Operations and Systems (COSMOS) which is NASA's next-generation mission operations contract located on-site at Johnson Space Center. COSMOS ensures the continuity of critical human spaceflight support by providing mission control services, advanced training systems, and full-scale spacecraft mockups for astronaut preparation and engineering analysis.

Description of Duties

The Buyer is responsible for acquiring goods and services in support of COSMOS in accordance with the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR), agency supplements, and internal procurement policies. This role performs micro purchase and mid-complexity procurements, negotiates with suppliers, prepares compliant documentation, and ensures timely delivery of materials and services. The candidate should have a good understanding of the full life cycle of procurement from initiation, sourcing, negotiation, purchase award, receipt and completion.

Successful candidates will:

• Execute procurements for materials, equipment, and services using competitive and non-competitive methods.
• Prepare and issue RFQs, RFPs, and purchase orders in accordance with FAR, agency supplements, IT compliance and internal procurement policies.
• Conduct price analysis, cost analysis (as applicable), and supplier evaluations.
• Ensure all procurement actions are fully documented and audit-ready.
• Maintain procurement files, justifications, IT Compliance, and approvals.
• Evaluate supplier performance, negotiate terms, and resolve delivery or quality issues.
• Develop and maintain strong relationships with vendors to support program needs
• Track procurement milestones and ensure timely delivery to meet project schedules.
• Possesses strong team-building skills across multi-functional areas that establish a collaborative operational structure including active listening, prompt service and follow-up
• Exhibits proven track record of working under tight deadlines
• High degree of self-motivation and the ability to work independently
• Learn and understand the procurement tools, including testing new features, report development and training.
• Have excellent communication skills, both written and verbal.
• Exhibit professional behavior that promotes teamwork, fosters cooperation, and enhances productivity in the workplace.
• Be well organized with the ability to coordinate, prioritize and execute multiple tasks simultaneously in a high-pressure environment.
• Ability to communicate verbally and in writing to work effectively with a variety of government and contractor personnel at all levels.

Job Requirements

• Must have one of the following combinations of education and experience:
  • HS Diploma (or GED) and 7 years of general experience
  • Associate's degree and 5 years of general experience
  • Bachelor's/Master's degree and 3 years of general experience.
• Must have 3 years of direct experience in supply chain fields
• Must be able to obtain a NASA Personal Identity Verification (PIV) Badge for NASA credentials

Desired Requirements

• Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) knowledge and government procurements
• Experience with Office 365 Tools
• Experience with Deltek Costpoint Materials Module

This position is expected to pay $70,000 - $95,000 annually; depending on experience, education, and any certifications that are directly related to the position.

Final compensation is determined through a comprehensive evaluation of several key factors, including the candidate's educational background, specialized technical expertise, and relevant professional experience. We also consider internal equity, prevailing market data, and specific contractual or funding requirements to ensure competitive and equitable offer alignment.