Procurement Buyer - UK-044

Oxford Ionics
Oxford
2 weeks ago
Create job alert

Quantum is now, and it's built here.

Oxford Ionics, now part of IonQ, is pioneering the next generation of quantum computing. Using our world-leading trapped-ion technology, we’re building the most powerful, accurate and reliable quantum systems to tackle problems that today’s supercomputers cannot solve.

Joining Oxford Ionics means becoming part of a global IonQ team that is transforming the future of quantum technology - faster, at scale, and with real world impact.

What to Expect:
We are looking for a hands-on Procurement Buyer to join the Systems team at Oxford Ionics. In this role, you will be responsible for executing day-to-day procurement activities across engineering components and sub-assemblies, supporting both R&D programmes and the transition toward scalable manufacturing.

You will play a critical role in ensuring materials are available at the right time, cost, and quality, while maintaining strong supplier relationships and supporting accurate BOM and MRP workflows. This role is highly embedded within engineering and manufacturing teams and is essential to enabling delivery against the technical roadmap. You’ll help shape the procurement processes and outputs that underpin the development of the world’s most advanced quantum systems.

What you will be responsible for:

In this position, you will work closely with engineering, manufacturing, and inventory stakeholders to ensure effective purchasing, supplier coordination, and material availability. You’ll have the opportunity to directly impact programme delivery by improving procurement reliability, reducing bottlenecks, and freeing up senior technical teams to focus on next-generation system development.

Key responsibilities include:

  • Execute end-to-end purchasing of engineering components and sub-assemblies, from requisition through to delivery
  • Coordinate supplier communication, pricing, lead times, and call-offs to support R&D and manufacturing schedules
  • Support BOM accuracy and maintenance in collaboration with engineering teams
  • Work within existing MRP, Kanban, and inventory systems to support production and development workflows
  • Manage RFQs, quotes, and supplier comparisons to ensure value for money
  • Support procurement compliance, documentation, and record keeping in line with company and regulatory requirements
  • Act as a first point of contact for procurement-related queries from internal stakeholders
  • Provide hands-on support with stock coordination, kitting, and stores activities where required to unblock delivery
  • Contribute to continuous improvement of procurement processes as the organisation scales

Requirements

To be successful, you will need strong foundations in manufacturing procurement, with hands-on experience supporting engineering-led environments. We’re looking for someone who can work at pace, communicate clearly with technical stakeholders, and translate requirements into effective purchasing actions.

You should be comfortable operating in a fast-moving, highly technical environment where priorities evolve and execution matters.

You’d be a great fit if you have:

  • At least 3 years’ experience in a procurement or purchasing role within a manufacturing or engineering environment
  • Strong understanding of MRP systems and manufacturing procurement workflows
  • Experience procuring electro-mechanical components or sub-assemblies
  • Solid commercial awareness, including supplier negotiation and cost management
  • Confidence working directly with engineers, production teams, and suppliers
  • Strong organisational skills and attention to detail
  • Comfort managing procurement data, documentation, and trackers
  • Proficiency with Google Workspace (Docs, Sheets, Drive)

Desirable experience includes:

  • Degree-level education or equivalent professional experience
  • MCIPS qualification or working towards certification
  • Experience supporting pull-based or JIT supply chains
  • Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings or technical specifications
  • Exposure to regulated or high-complexity technical environments

Benefits

Be part of a team that’s shaping the future of quantum. We offer more than just a role, you’ll join a world class community of scientists, engineers and innovators working to unlock the full potential of quantum computing.

We offer a range of benefits, including opportunities to further your career alongside industry leaders, a competitive salary with IonQ stock options, an annual performance bonus, generous annual leave, flexible hybrid working, private medical and dental insurance for you and your family, and much more.

Join us and be part of the future of quantum computing.

We’re proud to be an equal opportunity employer and welcome applicants from all backgrounds.

Related Jobs

View all jobs

Planner - Mec/Elec/Vent

Commercial Contract Manager/QS

Junior Mechanical Engineer

Senior Mechanical Project Manager

Photonics Engineer (Quantum Sensing)

Subscribe to Future Tech Insights for the latest jobs & insights, direct to your inbox.

By subscribing, you agree to our privacy policy and terms of service.

Industry Insights

Discover insightful articles, industry insights, expert tips, and curated resources.

What Hiring Managers Look for First in Quantum Computing Job Applications (UK Guide)

Quantum computing is one of the fastest-evolving fields in technology, blending physics, mathematics, computer science and engineering. Roles in this space — from Quantum Algorithm Developer and Quantum Software Engineer to Quantum Research Scientist and Quantum Hardware Specialist — are highly sought after, and hiring managers are exceptionally selective. Because quantum computing is complex and multidisciplinary, recruiters and hiring managers look for clear, concrete evidence of relevant expertise and impact right at the start of your application. They often decide whether to read your CV in detail within the first 10–20 seconds, based on a handful of high-value signals. This guide breaks down exactly what hiring managers look for first in quantum computing applications, how they assess CVs and portfolios, and what you can do to optimise your application to get noticed in the UK quantum job market.

Riverlane Jobs in Quantum Computing: UK Guide for Job Seekers (2026)

If you’re looking for Riverlane jobs in quantum computing, you’re aiming at one of the most important layers in the quantum stack: quantum error correction (QEC). In simple terms, Riverlane focuses on the software, methods & tooling that help quantum computers produce reliable results despite noise. That matters because as quantum hardware scales, the ability to correct errors becomes the difference between “interesting experiments” and “useful quantum computing”. This guide is written for UK job seekers who want to understand: what Riverlane does (in job-seeker language) the roles they hire for the skills that map best to their work how to tailor your CV & LinkedIn how to prepare for interviews how to find & land Riverlane vacancies in the UK You do not need to be a quantum PhD to have a realistic pathway in. But you do need to understand the problem they’re solving & position your experience around it.

The Skills Gap in Quantum Computing Jobs: What Universities Aren’t Teaching

Quantum computing stands at the frontier of technological innovation. Promising breakthroughs in areas as diverse as cryptography, materials discovery, optimisation and machine learning, quantum technologies are shifting from academic research to early commercial deployment. Governments, defence organisations, finance firms and tech innovators around the world — including in the UK — are investing heavily in quantum talent and capability. Yet despite this surge in interest and investment, employers consistently report a troubling trend: Many graduates with quantum computing qualifications are not prepared for real-world quantum computing jobs. This isn’t a reflection on students’ intelligence or effort. Rather, it reveals a persistent skills gap between what universities teach and what organisations actually need. In this article, we’ll explore that gap in depth — what universities do well, where programmes fall short, why the divide persists, what employers actually want, and how jobseekers can bridge that gap to build successful careers in quantum computing.