Buyer

Job Title: Procurement Specialist / Buyer Job Description This role focuses on supporting project delivery by managing the procurement of materials and freight for customized control panel projects. You will estimate material and freight costs, coordinate purchasing activities, and collaborate closely with suppliers and project teams to ensure accurate, timely, and cost-effective deliveries. The position requires strong analytical skills, sound judgment in purchasing decisions, and the ability to operate effectively in a dynamic, project-based environment where most builds are unique and forecasting is done largely through Excel rather than automated ERP reports. Responsibilities Supply the organization with accurate project material and freight cost estimates to support budgeting and planning.Monitor and fulfill purchase requests in a timely manner to ensure projects stay on schedule.Analyze supplier offers to achieve the best combination of delivery performance and cost savings.Work actively with suppliers and project teams to resolve issues related to orders, deliveries, and materials.Review and maintain reports on delivery commitments to ensure transparency and accountability.Follow up directly with suppliers and project teams on outstanding items until full resolution.Report supplier performance and delivery metrics to the appropriate team members for ongoing evaluation.Utilize the purchasing system to create and manage change orders accurately and efficiently.Coordinate returns and warranty exchanges with suppliers and project teams to minimize project disruption.Provide Accounts Payable with timely and accurate information to resolve invoicing discrepancies.Deliver clear, complete, and accurate communication regarding order finalization and any delivery concerns.Charge time accurately to the appropriate project budgets to support correct project cost tracking.Think through business processes and make sound purchasing decisions based on project forecasts and custom build requirements.Use Excel and other tools to evaluate needs and plan purchases in an environment without automated SAP-style inventory reports.Support project-related activities that may require up to 10% travel. Essential Skills 0–2 years of experience in a Buyer, Procurement Specialist, or Purchasing Agent role.Working knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite, including strong Excel skills.Experience using purchasing or ERP software to support procurement activities.Experience negotiating prices, terms, and conditions with suppliers.Ability to analyze offers and make sound buying decisions based on project forecasts and custom requirements.Strong communication skills with the ability to clearly convey information to suppliers, project teams, and internal stakeholders.Excellent interpersonal skills to build productive relationships with cross-functional teams and suppliers.Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple purchase requests and deadlines.Ability to work effectively in a project-based, job-shop environment where builds are highly customized and processes require thoughtful judgment. Additional Skills & Qualifications Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management or a similar field preferred.Experience working in a job-shop or highly customized manufacturing environment.Familiarity with industrial control, electrical equipment, or related manufacturing industries is a plus.Comfort working with limited automated reporting tools and relying on Excel-based analysis and forecasting.Demonstrated ability to resolve issues collaboratively with suppliers, project teams, and finance functions. Work Environment This position is based in a corporate office environment with regular business hours, Monday through Friday. The dress code is business casual. You will work closely with engineering, sales, manufacturing, and operations professionals in a dynamic, project-focused setting that supports electrical equipment manufacturing and industrial control integration solutions. The organization operates as a job shop, where most control panels and solutions are customized for individual customers, resulting in frequent variation in builds and a need for thoughtful, hands-on decision-making. Most planning and forecasting activities rely heavily on Excel rather than automated SAP-style systems, so you will work with modern office technologies and purchasing tools while contributing to a collaborative, growth-oriented culture. Project-related travel of up to 10% may be required. Job Type & Location This is a Contract to Hire position based out of St. Louis, MO. Pay And Benefits The pay range for this position is $24.04 - $28.85/hr. Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job-related factors. Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following: Medical, dental & vision Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital 401(k) Retirement Plan – Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents) Short and long-term disability Health Spending Account (HSA) Transportation benefits Employee Assistance Program Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave) Workplace Type This is a fully onsite position in St. Louis,MO. Application Deadline This position is anticipated to close on Sep 10, 2026. About Aston Carter Aston Carter provides world-class corporate talent solutions to thousands of clients across the globe. Specialized in accounting, finance, human resources, talent acquisition, procurement, supply chain and select administrative professions, we extend the capabilities of industry-leading companies. We draw on our deep recruiting expertise and expansive network to meet the evolving needs of our clients and talent community with agility and excellence. With offices across the U.S., Canada, Asia Pacific and Europe, Aston Carter serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing® Platinum Award winner for both client and talent service. The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law. If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability, please email astoncarteraccommodation@astoncarter.com for other accommodation options. San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records. Massachusetts Lie Detector: It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability. Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI): We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.