Category Purchaser (Houston, TX)

The Buyer III supports the buying team in expanding product selection, optimizing category performance, and driving digital transformation across procurement activities. This role focuses on setting up new vendors and items, maintaining an accurate and compelling product catalog, managing pricing, and coordinating new product launches. The Buyer III also serves as a backup to the Control Buyer, providing support and training as needed while collaborating closely with category managers and cross-functional stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Assist the buying team in expanding product selection by setting up new vendors and new items in the system.

• Maintain the product catalog to ensure accurate and up-to-date product cost, retail prices, content, and images.

• Coordinate new product launches from initial setup through go-live, ensuring all data, pricing, and content are complete and accurate.

• Manage and monitor product cost and retail pricing to support margin, competitiveness, and category strategy.

• Build and maintain strong vendor relationships to support reliable supply, quality, and favorable commercial terms.

• Support and train as a backup to the Control Buyer, stepping in as needed to ensure continuity of operations.

• Participate in and contribute to end-to-end category strategy execution for categories with significant annual spend.

• Apply strategic sourcing expertise and support country and global sourcing execution as part of broader procurement initiatives.

• Analyze data to identify trends, opportunities, and risks in pricing, assortment, vendor performance, and category performance.

• Support the development and implementation of sourcing strategies in collaboration with category managers and stakeholders.

• Collaborate daily with leadership for strategic guidance and decision-making on category and sourcing priorities.

• Engage in regular knowledge-sharing sessions with peer Category Managers to align on best practices and category insights.

• Participate in weekly cross-functional meetings with stakeholders to align on business needs, timelines, and priorities.

• Pilot new procurement technologies and tools to support digital transformation and improve procurement processes.

• Contribute to special projects within the buying and procurement organization as assigned.

• Work effectively in a highly demanding, collegial environment where teamwork and communication are essential.

Essential Skills

• Strong experience in procurement, category management, and strategic sourcing.

• Demonstrated strategic sourcing expertise with country and global execution experience.

• Proven data analysis skills with the ability to interpret and act on complex data sets.

• Experience in stakeholder management and procurement management in a fast-paced environment.

• Ability to develop and support sourcing strategies aligned with business objectives.

• Advanced computer skills, including proficiency with Microsoft Excel, Word, Access, and PowerPoint.

• Understanding of data management and databases.

• High level of organization, with strong attention to detail and accuracy.

• Self-motivated, with the ability to work independently and manage multiple priorities.

• Ability to thrive in a highly demanding yet collegial, team-oriented environment.

• Strong verbal and written communication skills for effective collaboration with leadership, peers, vendors, and stakeholders.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience managing or supporting end-to-end category strategies with significant annual spend.

• Exposure to or interest in piloting new procurement technologies and digital tools.

• Experience working closely with category managers and cross-functional business stakeholders.

• Experience in environments that emphasize collaboration, knowledge sharing, and continuous improvement.

Work Environment

This role operates in a hybrid work environment, with three days per week onsite at an approved hub location and the remaining time worked remotely. The position involves frequent collaboration, including daily interaction with leadership for strategic guidance, regular touchpoints with peer Category Managers for knowledge sharing, and weekly cross-functional meetings with stakeholders. The work setting is highly demanding yet collegial, emphasizing teamwork, open communication, and shared problem-solving. You will regularly use standard office technologies and productivity tools such as Microsoft Excel, Word, Access, and PowerPoint, along with procurement and data management systems that support digital transformation initiatives.

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract position based out of Houston, TX.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $40.00 - $44.00/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 Houston,TX.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Jun 16, 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.