Buyer

Aston Carter•Manchester, CT

12d•$34 - $43•Onsite

About The Position

This interim Buyer role provides purchasing support within a fast-paced manufacturing environment. The Buyer manages day-to-day purchasing activities—including supplier communication, purchase orders, material requirements, and delivery schedules—to support continuity of production. The position is a contract/interim assignment based on-site in Manchester, Connecticut, with the potential to evolve into a longer-term opportunity based on performance and business needs. The role works closely with production floors and cross-functional departments to keep materials flowing and support daily manufacturing activities. It relies heavily on ERP/MRP systems such as SAP, Oracle, or Epicor and Microsoft Excel for tracking, analysis, and reporting. The environment emphasizes collaboration, responsiveness, attention to detail, regulated manufacturing practices, supplier performance, and continuous improvement.

Requirements

At least 3 years of experience in purchasing, procurement, or supply chain roles.
Hands-on experience creating and managing purchase orders, expediting materials, tracking delivery schedules, and resolving material shortages.
Previous manufacturing-environment experience; regulated-industry experience is strongly preferred.
Experience using ERP/MRP systems to identify purchasing requirements and support production demand.
Ability to review material requirements, inventory availability, lead times, open orders, and supplier delivery dates using ERP/MRP tools.
Working knowledge of ERP platforms such as SAP, Oracle, Epicor, or comparable systems.
Strong Microsoft Excel skills for data analysis, reporting, and tracking purchasing and inventory information.
Effective communication with suppliers and internal stakeholders across Production, Operations, Quality, Supply Chain, and Finance.
Strong organizational, analytical, and problem-solving abilities in a fast-paced manufacturing setting.
Ability to work independently, learn new processes quickly, and become productive within an interim assignment.
Experience managing suppliers, delivery schedules, and material requirements to support production.
Comfort working in a production-support purchasing role where responsiveness and attention to detail are critical.

Nice To Haves

Experience in regulated manufacturing, such as medical device, pharmaceutical, healthcare manufacturing, aerospace, or other life sciences sectors.
Experience purchasing raw materials, components, packaging, or other production-related materials.
Experience with supplier performance management, RFQs, price analysis, and basic negotiation activities.
Exposure to inventory planning, materials management, or production scheduling processes.
Understanding of supplier quality considerations and their impact on manufacturing operations.
Experience supporting process improvement, manufacturing engineering, and process development initiatives through procurement.
Familiarity with project management practices in a manufacturing or supply chain context.
Comfort working in a fast-growing manufacturing company with evolving processes and continuous improvement initiatives.

Responsibilities

Create, issue, and manage purchase orders for materials, components, supplies, and services supporting production.
Review ERP/MRP material requirements and convert demand signals into timely, accurate purchasing activities.
Monitor open purchase orders and supplier delivery schedules to ensure planned material arrivals.
Expedite materials and address shortages, late deliveries, and potential supply disruptions to maintain production continuity.
Communicate with suppliers about pricing, lead times, availability, quality concerns, and delivery performance.
Request and evaluate supplier quotations and assist with price and lead-time negotiations.
Maintain accurate supplier, pricing, purchase order, and delivery information in the ERP/MRP system.
Partner with Production, Operations, Supply Chain, Quality, and Finance to resolve purchasing and material-related issues.
Monitor supplier performance, identify risks, and escalate concerns that could affect production schedules.
Support inventory management and material availability while helping maintain appropriate inventory levels.
Assist with procurement reporting, cost-saving opportunities, and continuous improvement initiatives.
Maintain purchasing documentation and follow procurement and compliance procedures.
Coordinate with internal stakeholders on quality issues related to purchased materials.
Contribute to process improvement, manufacturing process development, and supply chain efficiency through effective purchasing practices.
Participate in project management activities related to new products, process changes, or sourcing initiatives as needed.

Benefits

Medical insurance, if eligible.
Dental insurance, if eligible.
Vision insurance, if eligible.
Critical illness, accident, and hospital coverage, if eligible.
401(k) retirement plan, with pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available, if eligible.
Voluntary life and AD&D insurance for the employee and dependents, if eligible.
Short- and long-term disability coverage, if eligible.
Health Spending Account (HSA), if eligible.
Transportation benefits, if eligible.
Employee Assistance Program, if eligible.
Time off/leave, including PTO, vacation, or sick leave, if eligible.