---
title: 'Purchasing Manager at Trust Automation'
canonical: 'https://feeny.ai/job/purchasing-manager-trust-automation-san-luis-obispo-hachz60zkbmq'
type: 'job'
last_seen: '2026-09-08'
---

# Purchasing Manager at Trust Automation

- **Company:** Trust Automation
- **Location:** San Luis Obispo, CA
- **Posted:** 2026-07-17
- **Last confirmed live:** 2026-09-08
- **Apply:** https://job-boards.greenhouse.io/trustautomation/jobs/8639042002

## Job description

Trust Automation

Trust Automation has over 35 years of experience in custom motors, linear drives, digital drives, and systems which meet the unique needs of its customers. Its product line includes motors, linear drives, digital drives, custom assemblies, and products to fit unique applications and ground-up system design and manufacturing solutions.  We design, build and support control and power management systems for the most demanding defense, semiconductor, industrial automation, and medical applications.

Trust Automation is an equal opportunity employer and committed to attracting, hiring, developing, and retaining a skilled, productive, and diverse workforce, personnel with competencies and experience related to the regional and State population.  Every employee has an “at-will” relationship with Trust Automation.  This means that employment with Trust Automation is at the mutual consent of the employer and the employee and is subject to termination by either party at will, with or without cause or advance notice.

Job Summary

The Purchasing Manager is responsible for leading and executing all procurement and subcontracting activities in support of a rapidly growing manufacturing operation serving the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD), government contractors, as well as commercial customers. This role ensures timely, compliant, and cost-effective acquisition of materials, components, and services while meeting all applicable government contracting requirements. The Purchasing Manager will lead a team of buyers and subcontract specialists, drive supplier performance, and ensure full compliance with FAR and DFARS regulations.

Duties and Responsibilities

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities, who are otherwise qualified, to perform the essential functions.

- Lead all purchasing and subcontracting activities in support of government-related or commercial manufacturing programs.
- Work concurrently with the compliance team to ensure FAR, DFARS, and flow-down requirements in all purchase orders and subcontracts.
- Review and approve purchase orders, subcontracts, modifications, and supplier agreements.
- Support proposal and estimating activities by providing pricing, lead times, and sourcing strategies.
- Manage supplier negotiations, cost reduction initiatives, and long-term supply agreements.
- Ensure proper documentation, audit readiness, and traceability in accordance with government requirements.
- Identify, qualify, and manage suppliers capable of meeting DoD quality, security, and compliance standards.
- Monitor supplier performance related to cost, quality, delivery, and compliance.
- Address supplier nonconformances and drive corrective actions in coordination with Quality and Engineering.
- Support supplier risk management and continuity planning.
- Implement systems and processes to support rapid growth and increased government contract volume.
- Leverage ERP/MRP systems to improve purchasing efficiency, visibility, and controls.
- Drive continuous improvement initiatives across procurement and subcontracting functions.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

- Manage, mentor, and develop a team of buyers and subcontract specialists.
- Assign workloads, set performance goals, and conduct regular performance reviews.
- Establish best practices, standard work, and procurement policies to support scaling operations.
- Foster collaboration across Supply Chain, Engineering, Quality, Contracts, and Program Management.

Position Requirements

- Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management, Business, Engineering, or related field.
- Minimum of 7–10 years of progressive procurement experience in a manufacturing environment.
- Demonstrated experience working with government contracts, including FAR and DFARS compliance.
- Prior experience managing buyers and/or subcontract specialists.
- Prior experience in a supervisory role
- Strong negotiation, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
- Experience supporting DoD or other federal government customers.
- Proficiency with ERP/MRP systems and Microsoft Office tools.
- This position may be asked to drive for company purposes during the course of employment. If asked and agreed upon, employees must possess a valid California Driver’s License and clean driving record.
- May participate in the identity verification process to access secure client or government portals by authorizing certified supplier or customer management platforms to obtain information from your personal credit profile or other information, solely to verify your identity.

## Preferred

- Experience in aerospace, defense, or other regulated manufacturing industries.
- Familiarity with DCMA/DCAA audits and government compliance reviews.
- CPSM, CPIM, or similar professional certification.
- Experience scaling procurement organizations during periods of rapid growth.

Physical Requirements

- Hearing and speaking to exchange information in person, on the telephone or virtually.
- Dexterity of hands, fingers, and wrist to operate a computer keyboard, calculator or assemble/manufacture intricate items.
- Seeing to read a variety of materials.
- Sitting or standing for extended period of time
- Physical agility to lift 20 pounds to shoulder height.
- Physical agility to lift, carry, push, or pull objects.

Pay/Salary Information

Pay scale for this position -  $138,000.00 - $150,000 annually By submitting your application, you acknowledge that you have read and understand the information provided within. You certify that the information contained in this application is correct to the best of your knowledge. You understand that to falsify information is grounds for refusing to hire, or for discharge should you be hired.

## About Trust Automation

## Company Overview
- **One-liner**: Trust Automation designs and manufactures advanced motion control and power management systems for defense, semiconductor, and industrial automation markets.
- **Entity Type**: Private (Women-Owned Small Business)
- **Headquarters**: San Luis Obispo, California, United States
- **Founded**: 1990
- **Founders**: Not publicly available

## Core Business
- **Primary industries**: Defense (including Counter-Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems), Semiconductor, Industrial Automation, Medical
- **Target customers**: Government/Defense contractors, semiconductor equipment manufacturers, industrial automation integrators (B2B, Enterprise)
- **Mission statement**: "From battlefields to semiconductor fabs, Trust Automation is committed to overcoming your most difficult motion, motor control and power management challenges."

## Products & Services
- **Custom Motors & Linear Drives**: High-performance motors and linear drives engineered for demanding defense and industrial applications.
- **Digital Drives & Assemblies**: Custom digital drive systems and full assemblies designed for reliability in harsh environments.
- **Counter-sUAS & Cybersecurity**: Counter-small unmanned aircraft systems (C-sUAS) and cybersecurity technologies for defense applications.
- **Power Management Solutions**: Custom power management systems for complex electromechanical applications.
- **Full-System Design & Manufacturing**: End-to-end engineering, prototyping, and manufacturing services with a single-source approach.

## Market Standing
- **Valuation**: Not disclosed
- **Annual Revenue**: $26.9M (estimated for 2025-2026)
- **Notable Investors/Partners**: Privately held; key customers include defense and semiconductor industry leaders. Certified Women-Owned Small Business (WOSB) by the U.S. SBA.
- **Growth Signals**: Headcount grew +26.3% YoY (from ~75 to 106 employees); currently has 22-28 active job postings; expanding facility footprint (96,000 sq ft HQ); 55% yearly LinkedIn follower growth.

## Competitive Advantages
- **Systems Engineering Approach**: Designs components within the context of the overall system, improving performance, energy efficiency, reliability, and safety while reducing risk and cost.
- **Single-Source Integration**: Combines design and manufacturing under one roof, centralizing quality control, reducing supply chain complexity, and accelerating time-to-market.
- **30+ Years of Defense & Industrial Expertise**: Deep track record in mission-critical applications (battlefield, semiconductor fabs).
- **Advanced Simulation Tools**: Evaluates product functionality and manufacturing processes simultaneously, identifying issues before physical prototyping.
- **WOSB Certification**: Provides a competitive edge in government and defense contracting.

## Strategic Focus
- Scaling engineering and manufacturing talent to meet growing defense and semiconductor demand.
- Expanding counter-sUAS and cybersecurity product lines.
- Deepening single-source design-to-manufacturing capabilities for complex electromechanical systems.
- Investing in facility and infrastructure growth (96,000 sq ft campus).

## Why Work Here
- **Culture & Values**: Strong emphasis on Respect, Agility, Safety, Integrity, Teamwork, and Community. Recognized with the SLO County Family-Friendly Workplace "Blue Diamond" Award.
- **Benefits**: 100% employer-paid healthcare for employees (partial for dependents), generous PTO (vacation, sick, 11 paid holidays), bonuses, 401K with profit sharing, Flexible Spending Accounts, Life/AD&D Insurance, Employee Assistance Program.
- **Onsite Children's Center**: Licensed early care and education center for infants, toddlers, and older children — a rare and highly-valued perk.
- **Work-Life Balance**: Encouraged and supported; located in San Luis Obispo, California (Central Coast), with access to beaches, hiking, and outdoor recreation.
- **Office Environment**: Onsite recreation includes foosball, air hockey, ping-pong, and video games; monthly team events and catered breakfasts.
- **Community Focus**: Active volunteer programs and partnerships with local civic, arts, health, education, and animal welfare organizations.
- **Remote/Hybrid Policy**: Not explicitly stated; roles appear to be primarily on-site in San Luis Obispo.
- **Employee Rating**: 4.5/5.0 on LinkedIn (46 reviews) — Work-Life: 4.5, Compensation: 4.0, Culture: 4.5, Career: 4.1.
- **Notable Alumni Destinations**: Apple, Pacific Gas and Electric, Lockheed Martin, Cal Poly SLO — indicating strong talent development.

## Sources
1. [Trust Automation - About Us](https://trustautomation.com/about-us/)
2. [Trust Automation - Homepage](https://trustautomation.com/)
3. [Trust Automation - Careers](https://trustautomation.com/careers/)
4. [Trust Automation - LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/company/trust-automation)
5. [Trust Automation - Greenhouse Job Board](https://job-boards.greenhouse.io/trustautomation)

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