Purchasing Buyer

Job Description

Job Description

Job Title: Purchasing Buyer

Job Description

The Purchasing Buyer procures materials and services that support the manufacturing of aerospace and defense components. This role manages the full purchasing lifecycle, including sourcing, quoting, negotiating, and issuing purchase orders for hardware, consumables, raw stock, tooling, outsourced machining and surface treatments, MRO items, and other goods and services. The Buyer works within an ERP/MRP system to maintain accurate data, ensure on-time delivery, and support customer schedules. Success in this position requires strong supply chain acumen, sound business judgment, effective communication, and a commitment to ethical purchasing practices.

Responsibilities

• Maintain the timeliness, accuracy, and integrity of MRP data entered into the ERP system, including lead times, planned costs, payment terms, and other key parameters.
• Use MRP data and internal customer quotes to prepare and obtain supplier quotations (RFQs) for required materials and services.
• Negotiate or support the negotiation of long-term agreements (LTAs) with suppliers and monitor compliance with these agreements when applicable.
• Review supplier bids and negotiate pricing to achieve the best possible value while meeting all quality and delivery requirements.
• Coordinate purchasing activities with operations, project management, and engineering to acquire inventory cost-effectively and ensure timely receipt of goods in line with inventory objectives.
• Create and issue purchase orders and order changes using the MRP system, and perform daily system monitoring and maintenance for materials and services.
• Ensure order confirmation and acceptance for each purchase order released to the supply chain, and manage issue resolution through final delivery.
• Track actual purchase spend against customer quotes and escalate major deviations for management review before issuing purchase orders.
• Monitor shortage situations and past-due purchase orders, communicate status promptly, and negotiate expedited shipping or other solutions to minimize schedule interruptions.
• Maintain monthly supplier performance metrics and ensure accurate supplier quality certifications are recorded in the ERP system.
• Communicate professionally and courteously in English with suppliers and coworkers via telephone, email, and in-person interactions to convey clear and concise information.
• Travel to supplier and/or customer sites as requested, coordinate and host vendor visits, and attend meetings as needed to support supply chain activities.
• Encourage operational excellence by thinking innovatively, suggesting process improvements, and participating in continuous improvement initiatives where appropriate.
• Support shipping and receiving activities as needed to ensure accurate and timely processing of incoming and outgoing materials.
• Assist with warehouse management, including organization of inventory, storage locations, and material handling processes.
• Perform cycle counts and support inventory control efforts to maintain accurate stock records and minimize discrepancies.
• Track purchase orders for on-time delivery and follow up with suppliers to resolve delays or issues.
• Support logistics and packaging requirements, including coordination with carriers and use of services such as FedEx to meet delivery commitments.
• Perform other related duties as assigned to support overall supply chain and operations objectives.
• Maintain regular on-site attendance at the workplace to effectively collaborate with the team and oversee day-to-day purchasing and materials activities.

Essential Skills

• Minimum of two (2) years of experience in a purchasing or supply chain role within a manufacturing environment.
• Experience buying for manufacturing operations and tracking purchase orders for on-time delivery.
• Experience in the aerospace or defense industry is strongly preferred.
• Demonstrated experience using ERP and MRP systems; experience with Infor Visual is preferred.
• Knowledge of export controls, ITAR, and CMMC is required.
• Experience working in an AS9100 and/or Nadcap accredited company is preferred.
• Strong organizational, negotiation, interpersonal, and communication skills.
• Proven analytical, problem-solving, and critical thinking abilities to handle unexpected challenges appropriately.
• Demonstrated commitment to maintaining confidentiality, securing company records, and acting with integrity in all communications and actions.
• Effective self-management skills, including efficiency, a strong sense of urgency, adaptability, and the ability to manage multiple projects and competing priorities while meeting concurrent deadlines.
• Computer proficiency with Microsoft Office applications, including Outlook, Excel, PowerPoint, Word, and Teams/SharePoint.
• Intermediate Excel skills, including creation of pivot tables, VLOOKUPs, charts, graphs, and other formulas.
• Professional verbal and written communication skills in English for interaction with suppliers and internal stakeholders.
• Ability to work effectively within a small manufacturing environment and oversee purchasing-related activities that support a team of full-time employees.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in business administration or a related field is preferred.
• Supply chain certification from APICS, ISM, or a similar professional organization is preferred.
• Experience with shipping and receiving processes, including coordination with carriers such as FedEx.
• Experience in logistics, inventory control, warehouse management, and packaging is beneficial.
• Familiarity with continuous improvement methodologies and a mindset focused on process enhancement.
• Ability to coordinate and host vendor visits and participate in supplier or customer meetings.
• Willingness and ability to travel to supplier and/or customer sites as needed.

Work Environment

The role is based on-site in a small machine shop environment that supports aerospace and defense manufacturing. The Buyer works closely with a team of approximately three full-time employees and collaborates directly with operations, project management, engineering, shipping and receiving, and warehouse personnel. The position operates within an ERP/MRP-driven setting and relies heavily on Microsoft Office tools, including Excel, Outlook, and Teams/SharePoint. The environment emphasizes accuracy, on-time delivery, and adherence to industry standards such as AS9100 and Nadcap. Regular on-site presence is required to effectively manage purchasing, support material flow, oversee inventory-related activities, and engage with the production floor as needed. The role may involve occasional travel to supplier and customer locations and interaction with logistics providers, including small parcel and freight carriers.

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Wichita, KS.

The pay range for this position is $23.00 - $25.00/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)

This is a fully onsite position in Wichita,KS.

This position is anticipated to close on Jul 29, 2026.

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 ziprecruiter.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.