---
title: 'Inventory Buyer - BESS Systems at Critical Loop'
canonical: 'https://feeny.ai/job/inventory-buyer-bess-systems-critical-loop-torrance-7ewe0prt8pxr'
type: 'job'
last_seen: '2026-10-16'
---

# Inventory Buyer - BESS Systems at Critical Loop

- **Company:** Critical Loop
- **Location:** Torrance, CA
- **Compensation:** $75k–$85k
- **Employment:** full-time
- **Work type:** onsite
- **Posted:** 2026-10-06
- **Last confirmed live:** 2026-10-16
- **Apply:** https://jobs.ashbyhq.com/criticalloop/7dcdc2db-ecfb-42f9-a154-c0fe37399d87

## Job description

## About Critical Loop

Critical Loop is shaping the next generation of energy systems by building the integrated edge grid of the future. Specializing in advanced energy management and battery control systems, Critical Loop empowers businesses and communities to seamlessly unite distributed energy resources for faster, more reliable, and affordable grid access. With deep expertise in grid modernization and a passion for creating resilient, responsive energy solutions, Critical Loop drives innovation at the intersection of technology and energy.

Critical Loop is seeking a hands-on Buyer to support daily purchasing, production, and inventory activities. This person will create and maintain purchase orders, follow up with suppliers, track deliveries, and keep purchasing records and reports current. The right candidate is organized, accurate, and persistent with follow-up. They should be comfortable contacting suppliers, getting clear delivery commitments, and raising concerns early when materials may not arrive in time to support production. This is a fully on-site role that will report to our Torrance HQ office.

## Responsibilities

- Purchase Order Administration: Create, update, and manage purchase orders and Vendor Return Material Authorizations (VRMAs) accurately within company systems.
- Verify part numbers, quantities, pricing, approved supplier terms, shipping information, and required delivery dates before issuing purchase orders.
- Obtain supplier order acknowledgments and resolve differences between the purchase order and supplier confirmation.
- Follow up regularly with suppliers on open orders, confirm shipment dates, and obtain tracking information.
- Expedite materials when needed and promptly communicate delays, shortages, or changes to the Supply Chain Manager and affected teams.
- Maintain accurate open PO and material shortage reports, including current delivery dates, supplier updates, and next actions.
- Work with Production, Engineering, and the warehouse team to follow up on materials needed for upcoming builds.
- Support inventory accuracy by helping reconcile receiving records, quantity differences, and material discrepancies.
- Coordinate with suppliers and internal teams to resolve missing, incorrect, damaged, or rejected materials, including returns, replacements, and credits.
- Support Accounting with purchase order, receipt, and invoice discrepancies.
- Keep purchasing records and company systems accurate and follow established purchasing and approval procedures.

## Qualifications

- At least two years of hands-on purchasing experience, preferably in a manufacturing environment.
- Experience creating and managing purchase orders, following up with suppliers, and tracking deliveries.
- Strong attention to detail and the ability to maintain accurate records.
- Clear communication skills and consistent follow-through with suppliers and internal teams.
- Working knowledge of Microsoft Excel, including maintaining trackers, sorting and filtering data, and using basic formulas.
- Familiarity with purchasing systems and basic inventory and receiving processes.
- Ability to manage several open orders and changing priorities while keeping urgent items visible.
- Willingness to work closely with production and warehouse teams to resolve day-to-day material issues.

## Preferred Qualifications

- Experience purchasing electrical or mechanical components for manufacturing.
- Familiarity with bills of materials (BOMs), part numbers, and revision control.
- Experience using Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems for purchasing and inventory.
- Familiarity with Material Requirements Planning (MRP) to identify what materials are needed, in what quantities, and when.
- Associate’s or bachelor’s degree in supply chain, business, or a related field preferred; relevant practical experience is equally valued.

What Success Looks Like Purchase orders are accurate, supplier commitments are documented, reports are current, and production teams have clear visibility into material availability. Shortages and delays are raised early, and open issues are followed through to resolution.

#li-onsite #onsite Critical Loop is an equal opportunity employer. We're committed to building a diverse team and creating an inclusive workplace where everyone can thrive. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other protected characteristic under applicable law.

## About Critical Loop

## Core Business
- **Primary industry**: Energy infrastructure, distributed energy resources (DER), battery energy storage systems (BESS), microgrids.
- **Target customers**: B2B / enterprise – industrial manufacturing, data centers, utilities, critical infrastructure, and EV fleet operators.
- **Mission**: “We’re building a world where energy is abundant and accessible on demand.” The company also states it aims to “accelerate access to reliable power, even where it’s otherwise impossible.” [criticalloop.com](https://www.criticalloop.com/about)

## Products & Services
- **Modular Battery Storage Systems**: Relocatable, megawatt-scale batteries that can be deployed in weeks to provide fast, flexible capacity.
- **Microgrid Cabinet**: A smart, scalable cabinet that integrates different power sources (grid, battery, renewables) into a single controlled system.
- **Control Software**: Proprietary platform for orchestrating power sources, real-time monitoring, diagnostics, and optimization.
- **Full‑Spectrum Energy Solutions**: End‑to‑end project development including financing, design, permitting, deployment, and ongoing operations & maintenance.

## Market Standing
- **Valuation / Market Cap**: Not disclosed.
- **Key Metric**: 50 MWh deployed, scaling to 100+ MWh in 2026, with a stated path to 5–10 GWh within five years. The company operates 55+ active control nodes under actual utility contracts. [criticalloop.com](https://www.criticalloop.com/)
- **Notable Investors / Partners**: Not publicly disclosed. The team includes former leaders from SpaceX, Palantir, Tesla, and Rivian, and the company works with “blue‑chip customers” and utilities.
- **Growth Signals**: Rapid scaling of deployed capacity; 67 employees (as of mid‑2026); active hiring across hardware, software, and business development roles; operating in California with utility contracts.

## Competitive Advantages
- **Speed to power**: “Get megawatts in weeks, not years” – a key differentiator in a market where grid interconnection often takes 5+ years.
- **Configurable platform**: Combines grid power with a proprietary battery fleet, allowing the same hardware/software stack to serve multiple industries (manufacturing, data centers, utilities, etc.).
- **Aerospace‑level engineering**: Founding team from SpaceX, Palantir, and Tesla brings rigor in safety, reliability, and system integration.
- **Proven in the field**: Systems already deployed in extreme conditions with real utility contracts, not just prototypes.

## Strategic Focus
- **Current priorities**: Scale deployed capacity to 100+ MWh in 2026, expand industrial customer base, and deepen partnerships with utilities to close grid gaps. The company is solving the “time‑to‑power” problem that limits business growth in the U.S.

## Why Work Here
- **Culture**: “No endless meetings. No busywork. Just real problems, real ownership, and shipping things that matter.” Early‑stage, fast‑paced environment with a bias toward action. [criticalloop.com/careers](https://www.criticalloop.com/careers)
- **Location & work model**: Engineering roles (Senior Mechanical Engineer, Senior Electrical Engineer, Hardware Technical Program Manager) are listed as “Long Beach (On‑site).” Other roles may vary.
- **Notable perks**:
  - Equity ownership (stock options) for all team members.
  - 401(k) retirement savings plan.
  - Individual Coverage Health Reimbursement Arrangement (ICHRA) – a monthly allowance to choose health, dental, and vision plans.
  - Generous paid time off (unlimited for some roles, 15 days for others) and unlimited sick leave.

## Sources
1. [criticalloop.com](https://www.criticalloop.com/) – Main company site with product, deployment, and mission details.
2. [criticalloop.com/careers](https://www.criticalloop.com/careers) – Careers page with culture, perks, and open roles.
3. [criticalloop.com/about](https://www.criticalloop.com/about) – About page with mission, speed‑to‑power narrative, and customer segments.
4. [criticalloop.com/team](https://criticalloop.com/team) – Team page listing co‑founders and leadership backgrounds.
5. [jobs.ashbyhq.com/criticalloop](https://jobs.ashbyhq.com/criticalloop) – Active job listings with salary ranges and location details.

## Other roles at Critical Loop

- [Environmental Health & Safety Officer](https://feeny.ai/job/environmental-health-safety-officer-critical-loop-torrance-1xy8y6q0cd0d) — Torrance, CA
- [Head of Production](https://feeny.ai/job/head-of-production-critical-loop-torrance-cpq1713atke4) — Torrance, CA
- [Head of Operations](https://feeny.ai/job/head-of-operations-critical-loop-torrance-8qs8208x1s96) — Torrance, CA
- [Mechanical Engineer](https://feeny.ai/job/mechanical-engineer-critical-loop-long-beach-erqr8p9a7mex) — Long Beach, CA
- [Engineering Technician](https://feeny.ai/job/engineering-technician-critical-loop-torrance-kr35etnjj59m) — Torrance, CA
- [Site Operations Engineer](https://feeny.ai/job/site-operations-engineer-critical-loop-long-beach-cnv56fdmhyhk) — Long Beach, CA
- [Quality Engineer (Build Operations)](https://feeny.ai/job/quality-engineer-build-operations-critical-loop-torrance-jry874ms4v94) — Torrance, CA
- [Manufacturing Engineer - Mechnical](https://feeny.ai/job/manufacturing-engineer-mechnical-critical-loop-torrance-tn6yp99j33jg) — Torrance, CA
- [Manufacturing Engineer - Electrical](https://feeny.ai/job/manufacturing-engineer-electrical-critical-loop-torrance-aew2f6ng813y) — Torrance, CA
- [Lead Quality Engineer (Build Operations)](https://feeny.ai/job/lead-quality-engineer-build-operations-critical-loop-torrance-e4eqtkmpafpr) — Torrance, CA