Buyer

Job Title: Buyer / Planner

** if you are interested in this opportunity, please feel free to apply and email me your resume at alalfaro @ astoncarter.com so we can schedule a time to connect asap! **

Job Description

The Buyer / Planner is responsible for sourcing and procuring electronic components and related materials to support production and product development, while planning day-to-day production activities, ordering, managing safety stocks, and coordinating shipping through MRP and the job board. This role focuses on strategic sourcing, supplier management, cost control, and ensuring continuity of supply in a fast-paced, technology-driven manufacturing environment.

Responsibilities

• Run the daily MRP process and create, maintain, and update the job board to support production planning.

• Place purchase orders accurately and on time to ensure continuity of supply for production and product development.

• Build and maintain production schedules and drive jobs to completion in alignment with business needs.

• Develop and implement sourcing strategies to mitigate supply chain risks and component shortages.

• Identify, evaluate, and onboard suppliers, including global suppliers and contract manufacturers.

• Negotiate pricing, lead times, and long-term supply agreements to support cost control and reliable delivery.

• Monitor market trends, including component availability, lifecycle status, and pricing fluctuations, and adjust procurement strategies accordingly.

• Manage supplier performance in terms of quality, delivery, cost, and responsiveness, and take corrective actions when needed.

• Collaborate closely with engineering, manufacturing, and planning teams to support new product introductions (NPI).

• Ensure availability of components to meet production schedules and minimize downtime.

• Review and manage Bill of Materials (BOM) costs and identify opportunities for cost reduction.

• Handle obsolescence management and recommend alternate or substitute components when required.

• Maintain accurate procurement, inventory, and planning data in ERP/MRP systems.

• Ensure compliance with applicable industry standards such as RoHS and REACH, along with internal company policies.

• Support inventory management and production planning activities to optimize stock levels and material flow.

• Communicate effectively with suppliers regarding orders, schedules, issues, and performance expectations.

• Use advanced Excel tools to analyze data, track key metrics, and support decision-making in purchasing and planning.

Essential Skills

• 2-5+ years of experience in purchasing, preferably in electronics or manufacturing environments.

• Hands-on experience with supplier communication and negotiation for pricing, lead times, and terms.

• Practical experience with ERP/MRP systems (such as SAP, Oracle, or similar; specific platform is flexible).

• Strong knowledge of supply chain, purchasing, procurement, purchase order management, and inventory control.

• Experience in production planning and using MRP to drive material requirements and schedules.

• Solid understanding of supplier performance management, including quality, delivery, cost, and responsiveness.

• Proficiency in Advanced Excel, including data analysis, VLOOKUP, pivot tables, with macros considered a plus.

• Ability to manage BOM costs, identify cost-reduction opportunities, and support cost-control initiatives.

• Knowledge of industry compliance requirements such as RoHS and REACH.

• Ability to handle obsolescence management and recommend alternate or substitute components.

• Strong negotiation skills and ability to develop and implement sourcing strategies.

• Effective collaboration skills with engineering, manufacturing, and planning teams.

• Attention to detail and accuracy in maintaining procurement and planning data in ERP/MRP systems.

• ITAR compliance as required for the role.

• Bachelor's degree (BA).

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience in electronics manufacturing or industrial electronic and electrical applications.

• Experience with contract manufacturing and managing global suppliers.

• APICS certification is a plus.

• Experience with import/export regulations is a plus.

• Familiarity with power conversion, battery charging, and battery products is beneficial.

• Comfort working in a fast-paced, technology-driven manufacturing environment.

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, particularly in supply chain and inventory management.

• Ability to adapt to changing market conditions, component availability, and lifecycle status.

• Strong organizational skills to manage multiple purchase orders, schedules, and supplier relationships simultaneously.

Work Environment

This role is based 100% onsite in a manufacturing environment focused on industrial electronic and electrical products designed for durability, reliability, and performance in demanding and hostile applications. The company produces power conversion, battery charging, and battery products under multiple brand names for specialty vehicles, commercial marine vessels, mega yachts, railroad passenger cars, wireless networks, emergency vehicles, and the telecommunications sector. The work environment is fast-paced and technology-driven, with a strong emphasis on high-quality products and responsive customer service. Buyers typically start their day early, often around 6:00-6:30 a.m., to run the ERP/MRP systems and support production planning, and overtime should be expected, as team members commonly work beyond a standard eight-hour day and are typically in the office until at least late afternoon. The role involves regular use of ERP/MRP systems (such as SAP or Oracle), advanced Excel tools, and other standard office and manufacturing technologies in a professional office setting within a production facility.

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Costa Mesa, CA.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $30.00 - $35.00/hr.

Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job-related factors.

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 Costa Mesa,CA.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Sep 3, 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 (%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.