Entry Level Buyer

About the role

The Purchasing Specialist manages a high volume of purchase orders and line items to ensure material availability, support production schedules, and maintain supply continuity across multiple projects. This role requires strong attention to detail, accurate data entry in SAP and other ERP systems, and effective communication with internal teams and external suppliers. The position offers growth opportunities within a rapidly expanding organization, as well as performance-based incentives and merit increases.

Responsibilities

• Enter purchase orders accurately and efficiently, processing approximately 20–40 purchase orders per day, each potentially containing 100–150 lines.
• Manage more than 200 purchase order lines weekly in SAP to ensure material availability and support production schedules across multiple projects.
• Follow standard work procedures and procurement guidelines to maintain consistency and compliance in purchasing activities.
• Utilize Excel for data entry, tracking purchasing activity, and supporting reporting of procurement and supplier performance data.
• Use Outlook and phone communication to coordinate with internal stakeholders and external suppliers regarding orders, updates, and issue resolution.
• Partner with engineering, production planning, and warehouse operations to align procurement activities with demand signals, production readiness, and project timelines.
• Adjust purchase order quantities, delivery dates, and priorities to maintain supply continuity and prevent production delays.
• Maintain and update material master data, including lead times, pricing, and specifications, to support accurate MRP and procurement planning.
• Investigate and resolve receiving discrepancies, supplier documentation issues, and invoice mismatches in collaboration with vendors and internal teams.
• Support monitoring of supplier performance metrics, including on-time delivery and adherence to lead times.
• Track purchasing activity and contribute to reporting on procurement and supplier performance.
• Communicate clearly and professionally with internal and external customers, providing updates on orders, addressing issues, and ensuring adherence to established processes.
• Multitask and manage time effectively to meet deadlines in a high-volume, fast-paced purchasing environment.
• Exhibit a driven attitude and strong work ethic while consistently ensuring data accuracy and attention to detail.

Requirements

• Minimum 6+ months of purchasing or buying experience.
• Experience working with ERP systems; familiarity with D365 is highly beneficial.
• Strong Excel skills for data entry, tracking, and reporting.
• Proficiency with Outlook for email communication and coordination.
• Strong communication skills, with the ability to interact effectively with internal teams and external suppliers.
• Ability to provide clear updates on orders, issues, and process adherence, and to hold individuals accountable when necessary.
• High attention to detail and a strong focus on data accuracy in manual entry environments.
• Able to multitask and manage time effectively in a high-volume purchasing environment.
• Driven attitude and strong work ethic, with a commitment to meeting deadlines and supporting production needs.

Qualifications

• Experience with D365 ERP is a plus.
• Experience managing high volumes of purchase order lines in a manufacturing or production environment.
• Familiarity with monitoring supplier performance metrics such as on-time delivery and lead time adherence.
• Experience maintaining and updating material master data, including lead times, pricing, and specifications.
• Ability to investigate and resolve receiving discrepancies, supplier documentation issues, and invoice mismatches.
• Comfort working cross-functionally with engineering, production planning, and warehouse operations.
• Interest in long-term growth opportunities within a company that is planning significant expansion over the next several years.
• Openness to participating in merit reviews that can lead to pay increases.

Skills

• Strong attention to detail and a strong focus on data accuracy in manual entry environments.
• Ability to multitask and manage time effectively in a high-volume purchasing environment.
• Driven attitude and strong work ethic, with a commitment to meeting deadlines and supporting production needs.

Benefits

• 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)

Pay and Schedule

• The pay range for this position is $27.00 - $31.00/hr.
• This is a full-time role with standard hours of 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, with some flexibility available.
• The position is structured as a 6-month contract-to-hire opportunity, offering a pathway to permanent employment for strong performers.

Work Environment

• The work environment combines office-based purchasing activities with occasional visits to the manufacturing floor.
• Business casual attire is expected, with casual closed-toe shoes required.
• Steel-toe shoes are required when entering the manufacturing floor for safety.

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.