Buyer at Aston Carter

Buyer (Level II and Level III)

The Buyer supports end-to-end procurement and purchasing activities, managing supplier relationships, executing purchase orders, and collaborating with cross-functional teams to ensure materials and services are sourced on time, within budget, and in alignment with organizational goals. This role includes hands-on support for warehouse and logistics operations and, at senior levels, leadership in strategic sourcing, category management, and procurement process improvement.

Responsibilities

• Manage assigned supplier accounts and execute purchase orders accurately, ensuring compliance with approved budgets and internal procedures.
• Analyze supplier quotes, costs, and lead times to support sound purchasing decisions and optimize total cost of ownership.
• Process procurement requirements from requisition through purchase order issuance, including verification of specifications, quantities, and pricing.
• Assist with purchase order and invoice reconciliation and maintain accurate delivery dates and purchase order values in Deltek Costpoint.
• Provide regular purchase order status reports to leadership, including packing slip numbers and documentation for closed orders.
• Monitor supplier performance, track on-time delivery and quality metrics, and implement corrective actions when issues arise.
• Identify and track cost-saving opportunities and process improvement initiatives within the procurement function.
• Collaborate with Production, Operations, Finance, Estimating, and other internal teams to align procurement activities with project schedules and business needs.
• Work closely with the Estimating department to obtain quotes for materials and services required for bid proposals and new work.
• Verify delivery of materials and inspect incoming shipments for accuracy, condition, and proper distribution to internal stakeholders.
• Perform material staging, kitting, HAZMAT handling, and material distribution as needed to support operations.
• Maintain shipping logs, purchase request logs, and other procurement and warehouse documentation in an organized and accurate manner.
• Support cycle counts and inventory control activities to maintain accurate stock levels and reduce discrepancies.
• Maintain an organized, clean, and safe warehouse environment.
• Operate basic hand tools and perform tasks that may require color differentiation, such as fiber optic and copper cable identification or repair.
• At Level III, lead complex sourcing initiatives, including high-value supplier negotiations and development of category strategies.
• At Level III, oversee and streamline the quoting process to ensure timely and competitive vendor responses, maintain productive supplier relationships, and resolve delivery, quality, and pricing issues promptly.
• At Level III, develop supplier scorecards and lead continuous improvement initiatives focused on supplier performance and procurement effectiveness.
• At Level III, monitor overhead budgets and capital expenditures to ensure procurement activities align with financial targets.
• At Level III, develop and implement long-term procurement and category strategies based on market analysis and business needs.
• At Level III, conduct market analysis, trend forecasting, and global sourcing evaluations to identify new suppliers and opportunities.
• At Level III, partner with Finance on inventory, billing, and compliance matters to support accurate reporting and adherence to policies.
• At Level III, collaborate with other sites on cost savings initiatives and program rollouts to standardize and optimize procurement practices.
• At Level III, implement or optimize procurement systems and tools to streamline operations and improve data visibility.
• At Level III, mentor and provide guidance to Level I and Level II buyers, supporting their development and performance.
• At Level III, contribute to procurement policy development and best practice standards.
• At Level III, serve as a point of contact for critical vendor issues and urgent sourcing needs, ensuring timely resolution.

Essential Skills

• 3+ years of procurement and purchasing experience, with Level II requiring approximately 25 years of buying experience and Level III requiring 58+ years of progressive procurement experience, including strategic sourcing.
• Minimum 13 years of experience using Deltek Costpoint for procurement and purchasing activities.
• Hands-on experience with supply chain and logistics processes, including inventory control and warehouse support.
• Proficiency with ERP systems used to manage procurement and supply chain activities.
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to evaluate quotes, costs, lead times, and supplier performance data to support decision-making.
• Ability to work independently, manage multiple priorities, and maintain a high sense of urgency and ownership.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills, with the ability to present information clearly to leadership and cross-functional teams.
• Strong interpersonal skills with a professional, courteous approach in all vendor and internal interactions.
• High level of organization and attention to detail, with the ability to multitask effectively in a fast-paced environment.
• Ability to comprehend complex problems and formulate practical, well-considered solutions.
• Ability to work in a warehouse or storeroom environment, including occasional lifting of up to 50 pounds.
• Ability to operate basic hand tools safely and effectively.
• Ability to differentiate colors, required for tasks such as fiber optic and copper cable identification and repair.
• Eligibility to work in the United States.
• Minimum age of 18 years or older.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• High school diploma, GED, or equivalent required.
• Associate's or bachelor's degree in Supply Chain, Business, or a related field preferred.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, particularly Excel, Outlook, and Word, for reporting, communication, and data analysis.
• Experience with procurement systems implementation or optimization preferred, especially at Level III.
• Background in procurement, purchasing, and supply chain management within an ERP-driven environment.
• Experience supporting cycle counts, inventory control, and warehouse operations.
• Familiarity with HAZMAT handling procedures and material staging and kitting is beneficial.
• Demonstrated ability to collaborate effectively with Production, Operations, Finance, Estimating, and other cross-functional teams.
• Comfort working in a fast-paced setting with changing priorities and deadlines.
• Strong problem-solving mindset and commitment to continuous improvement in procurement processes.

Work Environment

This role is fully onsite in a warehouse and office environment, with standard working hours of approximately 7:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. and the flexibility to work up to 9-hour days when business needs require. The position is hands-on and involves regular interaction with materials, tools, and inventory, including occasional lifting of up to 50 pounds and work in a storeroom or warehouse setting. The environment is fast-paced and collaborative, requiring close coordination with Production, Operations, Finance, Estimating, and other teams. Procurement activities are supported by ERP systems such as Deltek Costpoint and Microsoft Office tools for communication and reporting. The warehouse is maintained in an organized, clean condition, and employees are expected to follow appropriate safety practices and wear suitable attire for an industrial and warehouse setting. Depending on business needs, the role may be structured as a temporary-to-hire opportunity at more senior levels.

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract position based out of Norfolk, VA.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $28.00 - $38.00/hr.

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 Norfolk, VA.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated