Buyer

Job Title: Buyer (Level II / Level III)

Job Description

This role manages end-to-end procurement and purchasing activities to ensure materials and services are sourced accurately, cost-effectively, and on time. The Buyer supports production and operations by executing purchase orders, maintaining supplier relationships, and aligning procurement activities with project and financial objectives. Depending on level, the role ranges from tactical buying and supplier management to leading complex sourcing initiatives, developing category strategies, and driving continuous improvement across the procurement function.

Responsibilities

• Manage assigned supplier accounts and execute purchase orders accurately and within approved budgets.

• Process procurement requirements from requisition through purchase order issuance, including verification of specifications, pricing, and terms.

• Analyze quotes, costs, and lead times to support sound purchasing decisions and ensure best value for the organization.

• 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 for closed orders.

• Monitor supplier performance, identify issues, and implement corrective actions as needed to maintain quality, delivery, and cost targets.

• Build and maintain productive supplier relationships, and resolve delivery, quality, and pricing issues in a timely manner.

• Identify and track cost-saving opportunities and process improvement initiatives within the procurement function.

• Collaborate with Production, Operations, Finance, and other internal teams to align procurement activities with project and operational needs.

• Work closely with the Estimating department to quote all materials and services required for bids and proposals.

• Verify delivery of materials and inspect incoming shipments for accuracy, condition, and proper distribution.

• Perform material staging, kitting, HAZMAT handling, and material distribution as needed to support operations.

• Maintain shipping logs, purchase request logs, and related documentation to ensure accurate records and traceability.

• Support cycle counts and inventory control activities to maintain accurate stock levels.

• Maintain an organized, clean, and efficient warehouse environment.

• Operate basic hand tools and perform tasks that require color differentiation for fiber optic and copper cable identification or repair.

Essential Skills

• Minimum 3+ years of procurement experience, with Level II requiring approximately 2-5 years of procurement or buying experience and Level III requiring 5-8+ years of progressive procurement experience including strategic sourcing.

• High school diploma, GED, or equivalent education is required.

• Eligibility to work in the United States and a minimum age of 18 years.

• Minimum 1-3 years of experience with Deltek Costpoint.

• Experience with procurement, purchasing, and purchase order management within a supply chain or logistics environment.

• Proficiency with ERP systems and familiarity with SAP or similar enterprise resource planning tools.

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, particularly Excel, Outlook, and Word.

• Ability to work independently and manage multiple priorities with a high sense of urgency and ownership.

• Strong analytical skills with the ability to evaluate quotes, costs, lead times, and supplier performance data.

• 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 and courteous approach in all vendor and internal interactions.

• High level of organization and attention to detail, with the ability to multitask 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 and differentiate colors for tasks such as fiber optic and copper cable identification or repair.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Associate's or bachelor's degree in Supply Chain, Business, or a related field is preferred.

• Experience in supply chain, logistics, or inventory control functions.

• Prior experience with procurement systems implementation or optimization is preferred for Level III roles.

• Experience collaborating with cross-functional teams such as Production, Operations, Finance, and Estimating.

• Background in cost-saving initiatives, process improvement, and continuous improvement within procurement.

• Experience monitoring overhead budgets and capital expenditures in a procurement context.

• Familiarity with supplier performance management, including scorecard development and vendor performance tracking.

• Experience in market analysis, trend forecasting, and global sourcing evaluations.

• Demonstrated ability to mentor and support junior team members, particularly for Level III roles.

Work Environment

This position is fully onsite and primarily based in a warehouse and storeroom environment supporting production and operations. Standard hours are approximately 7:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., with the ability to work up to 9-hour days when business needs require. The role involves frequent interaction with materials, shipments, and inventory, including receiving, inspection, staging, kitting, and distribution. The environment requires maintaining a clean, organized workspace and adhering to safe material handling practices, including occasional lifting of up to 50 pounds and the use of basic hand tools. The position relies on regular use of ERP systems such as Deltek Costpoint and other office technologies to manage purchase orders, inventory, and documentation.

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract to Hire 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 to close on May 29, 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® double diamond 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 (%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.