Buyer / Purchaser

Buyer / Procurement Specialist Position Overview We are seeking a detail-oriented Buyer / Procurement Specialist to support a manufacturing facility's indirect purchasing operations. This role is responsible for procuring non-production goods and services required to keep plant operations running efficiently, including maintenance, facilities, tooling, safety, and business support needs. The ideal candidate will have experience managing purchase orders, coordinating with suppliers, resolving procurement issues, and partnering with internal stakeholders to ensure timely delivery of critical materials and services. Key Responsibilities Review approved requisitions and convert them into accurate purchase orders.Source and evaluate suppliers based on price, quality, service, lead time, and overall value.Solicit and analyze competitive bids and quotations.Monitor open purchase orders, acknowledgements, and delivery commitments.Expedite urgent orders and proactively follow up on delayed shipments.Resolve invoice discrepancies, receiving issues, returns, damaged goods, and supplier-related concerns.Negotiate pricing, delivery schedules, and commercial terms with suppliers.Maintain accurate purchasing documentation and records.Partner with Operations, Maintenance, Engineering, Quality, Logistics, and Finance teams to support plant requirements.Monitor supplier performance and recommend process improvements.Ensure compliance with purchasing policies, contractual obligations, and procurement controls. What You'll Do On a Typical Day, You Will Review purchasing requests and validate requirements.Create and maintain purchase orders within ERP/MRP systems.Communicate with suppliers regarding pricing, availability, and delivery schedules.Track open orders and provide status updates to internal stakeholders.Resolve procurement-related issues and escalate risks when necessary.Support urgent plant requirements while managing routine purchasing activities. Required Qualifications 2-4 years of experience in purchasing, procurement, supply chain, operations, finance, or a related field.Associate degree with equivalent relevant experience, or Bachelor's degree preferred.Relevant internships in procurement or supply chain may be considered.Experience creating and managing purchase orders within an ERP, MRP, or purchasing system.Strong proficiency with Microsoft Excel, Outlook, Word, and Teams.Experience reviewing supplier quotations, pricing, lead times, and purchasing data.Understanding of procurement processes and purchase-to-pay workflows. Preferred Qualifications Experience in manufacturing, plant, facilities, tooling, or indirect procurement environments.Experience with supplier performance tracking and competitive bidding processes.Familiarity with ERP systems used for procurement and purchasing.Experience resolving invoice discrepancies, returns, and receiving issues.Knowledge of supply chain management and purchasing regulations. Top Skills for Success Purchasing Execution: Purchase order management, supplier follow-up, delivery tracking, and issue resolution.Commercial Judgment: Quote analysis, cost evaluation, supplier selection, and negotiation.Communication & Ownership: Strong organization, responsiveness, attention to detail, and follow-through. Soft Skills Excellent written and verbal communication skills.Strong problem-solving abilities.Ability to prioritize competing demands in a fast-paced environment.Professional relationship management with suppliers and internal stakeholders.Self-motivated and comfortable working independently.Continuous improvement mindset and willingness to learn plant operations. Work Environment Full-time onsite role within a manufacturing environment.Combination of office-based purchasing activities and plant-floor interaction.Approximately 10-20% of time spent on the production floor; PPE required.Frequent collaboration with cross-functional teams and external suppliers. Why Consider This Opportunity? This role offers hands-on exposure to the full procurement lifecycle and manufacturing operations. You'll build valuable experience in supplier management, negotiation, purchasing strategy, and cross-functional collaboration while making a direct impact on plant performance, operational continuity, and cost control. Job Type & Location This is a Contract position based out of Alpharetta, GA. Pay And Benefits The pay range for this position is $24.00 - $25.50/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) Job Type & Location This is a Contract position based out of Alpharetta, GA. Application Deadline This position is anticipated to close on Nov 5, 2026. Workplace Type This is a fully onsite position in Alpharetta,GA. 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.