Business Analyst II

Job Title: Business Analyst II / Junior Mechanical Commodity Manager - Hardware & Metals
Job Description
This entry-level role serves as a foundational member of the procurement and supply chain team, focused on mechanical hardware and metals commodities. You will support daily supply chain operations, assist with GA/Sustaining and KTLO programs, and contribute to Agile/ECO management activities. Under the mentorship of experienced commodity managers, you will gain hands-on exposure to the full procurement lifecycle, including supplier research, quote management, purchase order execution, and performance tracking. This position is ideal for someone with strong organizational and analytical skills who wants to build a solid foundation in supplier relationship management, cost analysis, and supply chain problem-solving within a cutting-edge robotics supply chain environment.
Responsibilities

• Support daily supply chain and procurement activities for mechanical hardware and metals commodities, with a primary focus on GA/Sustaining and KTLO programs and Agile/ECO management.
• Maintain and update supplier contact databases and procurement records to ensure accurate and current information.
• Create and organize purchase requisitions in procurement and ERP systems, ensuring completeness and accuracy.
• Track purchase order status, update internal tracking spreadsheets, and communicate changes to relevant stakeholders.
• File and organize supplier documentation, including certifications, agreements, quotes, and other records required for audits and compliance.
• Prepare basic reports and presentations for team meetings, summarizing procurement activities, supplier performance, and key metrics.
• Send routine emails to suppliers requesting quotes, delivery updates, documentation, and other required information.
• Follow up on outstanding purchase orders, delivery confirmations, and open actions to support on-time delivery.
• Coordinate sample requests and shipments between suppliers and engineering teams, ensuring timely delivery and proper documentation.
• Assist in scheduling supplier calls and meetings and document meeting notes and action items for follow-up.
• Respond to basic supplier inquiries under supervision, escalating complex issues to senior team members as needed.
• Use Microsoft Excel to create simple pivot tables and charts for spend analysis and other procurement reports.
• Track and report on-time delivery metrics by supplier and compile data for monthly performance reviews.
• Help maintain pricing databases and cost comparison spreadsheets to support cost analysis and decision-making.
• Generate basic spend reports by category or supplier to support management reviews and sourcing strategies.
• Research potential new suppliers online and compile contact information and capability summaries.
• Gather industry pricing benchmarks from public sources and consolidate findings for internal use.
• Create comparison matrices for supplier capabilities, pricing, and performance to support sourcing decisions.
• Research material specifications and industry standards related to assigned commodities and summarize findings.
• Compile competitive intelligence on commodity trends to support strategic sourcing and cost reduction initiatives.
• Shadow senior commodity managers during supplier negotiations to learn best practices in negotiation and supplier management.
• Participate in cross-functional team meetings as a note-taker and distribute meeting notes and action items.
• Help document standard operating procedures for procurement and commodity management processes.
• Assist with RFQ (Request for Quote) package preparation, including consolidating specifications and requirements.
• Support supplier onboarding activities by collecting required documentation and ensuring completion of compliance requirements.
• Track supplier quality metrics and flag issues or trends to senior team members and quality teams.
• Help organize supplier audit schedules and maintain audit-related documentation.
• Maintain compliance checklists for supplier certifications and ensure records remain up to date.
• Assist in collecting corrective action responses from suppliers and track closure of quality issues.
• Update quality scorecards with data provided by quality and operations teams.
• Support cost reduction initiatives by gathering data, quotes, and supporting documentation.
• Assist with supplier consolidation projects by compiling data on spend, performance, and capabilities.
• Help track savings opportunities identified by the team and maintain status trackers.
• Participate in cross-functional project meetings and support project documentation and follow-up.
• Create simple project status trackers in Excel to monitor progress on procurement and cost reduction projects.
• Complete internal training on procurement systems, ERP tools, and company policies.
• Learn company-specific commodity strategies, supplier base, and supply chain processes.
• Attend supplier visits and manufacturing site tours as needed to build understanding of products and processes.
• Participate in professional development workshops to strengthen procurement, analytics, and communication skills.
• Build knowledge of technical specifications for assigned commodities and apply this understanding to sourcing and procurement decisions.
• Perform basic demand and supply analysis for components to help identify needed items and address gaps in supply.

Essential Skills

• Proficiency with Microsoft Excel, including the ability to create simple pivot tables, charts, and basic reports.
• Experience using ERP systems, preferably Oracle, to create purchase requisitions, track purchase orders, and manage procurement data.
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret business data and support basic spend and demand-supply analysis.
• Foundational knowledge of purchasing, procurement, and supply chain processes.
• Interest in and aptitude for commodity management, particularly in hardware and metals commodities.
• Ability to manage multiple tasks with strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Effective written and verbal communication skills for interacting with suppliers and internal stakeholders.
• Capability to work with cross-functional teams, including engineering, quality, and operations.
• Willingness to learn procurement systems, commodity strategies, and industry best practices under the guidance of senior team members.
• Commitment to developing skills in supplier relationship management, cost analysis, and supply chain problem-solving.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Interest or background in mechanical commodities, metals, or hardware components.
• Exposure to robotics, manufacturing, or industrial supply chains is beneficial.
• Experience preparing basic presentations and reports for team meetings.
• Familiarity with RFQ processes, supplier onboarding, and audit support is a plus.
• Ability to research industry pricing benchmarks, material specifications, and commodity trends.
• Motivation to grow into more strategic commodity management responsibilities over time.
• Desire to build a strong resume by working in a cutting-edge industry with an industry-leading organization.
• Openness to potential extension of the assignment and possible transition to a full-time role, depending on business needs and performance.

Work Environment
This role operates within a robotics supply chain business group in a dynamic, fast-paced environment. You will work primarily in an office setting using Microsoft Excel, ERP/Oracle systems, and other procurement and analytics tools to manage data, track purchase orders, and support supplier communications. The standard schedule is Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Collaboration with cross-functional teams such as engineering, quality, and operations is frequent, and you may participate in supplier calls, virtual meetings, and occasional site visits or manufacturing tours. The position is initially structured as a temporary role with a likely possibility of extension and potential conversion to a full-time position, offering exposure to a cutting-edge industry and significant professional development opportunities.
Job Type & Location
This is a Contract position based out of North Reading, MA.
Pay and Benefits
The pay range for this position is $37.00 - $39.00/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 North Reading,MA.
Application Deadline
This position is anticipated to close on Jun 19, 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 View email address on click.appcast.io 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.