Purchasing Agent

Job Title: Purchasing Agent Job Description The Purchasing Agent coordinates the procurement and receipt of bulk raw materials, packaging, supplies, and services to support production while meeting quality, cost, and compliance expectations. This role monitors inventory and usage trends, maintains accurate procurement records, and collaborates closely with plant operations and suppliers to prevent shortages, reduce excess working capital, and avoid production disruptions. The Purchasing Agent also supports shipment documentation, product tracking, and sample shipments, and participates in quality and compliance programs to ensure consistent supplier performance. Responsibilities Coordinate the procurement and receipt of bulk raw materials, packaging, supplies, and services while supporting quality, cost, and compliance expectations.Monitor inventory levels, usage trends, weeks on hand, and receipt schedules to help prevent shortages, excess working capital, and production disruptions.Work closely with plant operations and suppliers to resolve delivery issues, inventory discrepancies, documentation gaps, and supplier non-conformance events.Maintain accurate procurement records, delivery documents, vendor documentation, price support files, and contract-related records in approved business systems.Prepare and review operational procurement reports, including inventory reports, production reports, purchase order history, order status, and receipts review reports.Process receiving activity for raw materials and substrates, ensuring accurate and timely entries in the system.Support shipment documentation, delivery tickets, customer shipments, intercompany transfers, and invoicing coordination as required by the business.Maintain production and product tracking information, including product codes, product names, lot information, and related authorization details.Print and verify tote labels, ensuring lot codes, authorization codes, and production date information are accurate before use.Coordinate routine sample shipments and support documentation needed for quality, regulatory, or customer requirements.Participate in safety, HACCP, GMP, ISO, and other quality programs related to procurement, receiving, supplier performance, and raw material controls.Track supplier performance issues such as specification, delivery, documentation, and service non-compliance, and document these appropriately.Escalate recurring supplier issues to appropriate procurement or site leadership and support corrective action follow-up.Ensure supplier evaluations, procurement records, and supporting documentation are complete, organized, and readily available when needed.Order office supplies and perform other administrative tasks that help maintain efficient site operations.Perform other duties as assigned to support overall procurement and site operations. Essential Skills Experience in procurement, purchasing, supply chain, operations coordination, or a related administrative role.Experience in a manufacturing, food production, or regulated environment is preferred.Strong knowledge of purchasing procedures, receiving processes, documentation controls, and supplier follow-up.Proficiency with ERP systems and similar business systems used for purchasing and inventory management.Proficiency with Microsoft Office, including Microsoft Excel and PowerPoint.Ability to create, manage, and track purchase orders accurately.Strong data entry skills with high attention to detail for inventory and procurement records.Experience with inventory monitoring and control, including tracking usage trends and weeks on hand.Ability to coordinate buying activities and manage purchasing cycles from requisition through receipt.Comfort working with Microsoft Dynamics or similar ERP platforms. Additional Skills & Qualifications Prior purchasing experience in a production or plant environment.Experience handling documentation for quality, regulatory, or customer requirements.Familiarity with HACCP, GMP, ISO, and other quality and safety programs.Strong organizational skills to maintain accurate records and documentation.Ability to collaborate effectively with operations, suppliers, and internal stakeholders.Comfort working in a fast-paced environment with changing priorities.Interest in a long-term opportunity with potential to transition to a permanent role.Access to benefits such as insurance, vacation, and 401(k) with employer match upon conversion to permanent employment, subject to employer policies. Work Environment This role is fully on site five days a week in Dundalk. Standard working hours are 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., providing a consistent daytime schedule. The position supports a manufacturing or food production environment where adherence to safety, HACCP, GMP, and ISO programs is important. You will work regularly with ERP systems, Microsoft Office (including Excel and PowerPoint), and other business applications to manage purchasing, inventory, and documentation. The environment emphasizes collaboration with plant operations, suppliers, and cross-functional teams, and offers the opportunity to transition from a contract role to a permanent position with access to benefits such as insurance, vacation, and a 401(k) program with employer match, subject to employer policies. Job Type & Location This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Dundalk, MD. Pay And Benefits The pay range for this position is $21.63 - $24.04/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 Dundalk,MD. Application Deadline This position is anticipated to close on Sep 11, 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.