Buyer

Job Description

Job Description

Job Title: Buyer

Job Description

The Buyer is responsible for negotiating and placing purchase orders for assigned commodities and services, carefully balancing price, delivery, reliability, and contractual terms. This role evaluates new and existing suppliers, administers purchasing agreements and contracts, and ensures that procurement activities align with delivery requirements and budget targets. The Buyer maintains strong internal and external relationships, communicates effectively with stakeholders, and uses ERP systems and Excel to manage data and purchasing processes.

Responsibilities

• Negotiate and place purchase orders for assigned commodities, considering price, delivery, reliability, conditions of acceptance, and other related terms and conditions.
• Procure assigned commodities and services in accordance with established delivery requirements and within fund or target allocations.
• Evaluate new and current suppliers by securing information on quality levels and delivery performance and assist in reviewing current suppliers to determine potential sources of supply.
• Handle high‑value commodities that require formal requests for quotes, written proposals, and complex negotiations with detailed price justification.
• Prepare invitations to bid and analyze quotations for quality, delivery, and price to ensure conformance with current market prices and historical pricing for specified commodities.
• Negotiate standard purchasing agreements and subsequent amendments with successful bidders, clearly defining statements of work, delivery dates, prices, reporting requirements, financial terms, and other contractual conditions.
• Administer negotiated contracts on a continuing basis, monitoring changes, issues, and progress to identify and address actual or potential performance failures.
• Maintain ongoing supplier communication to ensure that delivery and commitment objectives are met.
• Coordinate supplier‑related issues with engineering, field, manufacturing, and other company departments to support effective problem resolution.
• Act as a technical liaison in specialized areas between suppliers and internal engineering, field, and manufacturing teams to assist in evaluating new suppliers.
• Develop and utilize techniques that encourage suppliers to present ideas and products that can improve products and overall profit position.
• Gather and analyze information from all relevant sources to support purchasing decisions, including locating sources of supply and obtaining information from individuals.
• Use computers, ERP systems, and Excel to enter, access, retrieve, and process purchasing and supplier data.
• Establish and maintain constructive and cooperative working relationships with supervisors, peers, subordinates, and cross‑functional teams.
• Communicate regularly with supervisors, peers, and subordinates by telephone, email, in writing, and in person to provide updates and information on purchasing activities.
• Communicate with external parties, including customers, public entities, government representatives, and other outside organizations, representing the organization in a professional manner.
• Communicate technical information clearly and accurately to internal and external stakeholders.
• Write clear, professional business correspondence related to purchasing, supplier management, and contract administration.
• Perform other duties and responsibilities as assigned to support the broader procurement and supply chain function.

Essential Skills

• Minimum of 2+ years of buyer or purchasing experience.
• Experience in purchasing, procurement, and purchase order management.
• Hands‑on experience with ERP systems for procurement and supply chain processes.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel for data entry, analysis, and reporting.
• Demonstrated negotiation skills, including experience negotiating pricing, terms, and contractual conditions.
• Strong buying experience with the ability to handle high‑value commodities and complex price justification.
• Ability to locate and qualify sources of supply and evaluate supplier performance.
• Experience communicating technical information to internal and external stakeholders.
• Strong written communication skills, including the ability to write professional business correspondence.
• Ability to work with and interpret data from multiple sources to support purchasing decisions.
• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience working in a manufacturing environment is a plus.
• Experience in supply chain, purchasing, or procurement disciplines.
• Familiarity with formal requests for quote (RFQ) processes and written proposal evaluations.
• Experience administering contracts, including monitoring supplier performance and managing changes.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with engineering, field, and manufacturing teams.
• Strong interpersonal skills for building and maintaining constructive and cooperative working relationships.
• Attention to detail in reviewing quotations, contracts, and supplier documentation.
• Ability to encourage suppliers to share innovative ideas and products that enhance product quality or profitability.

Work Environment

This position is based on site full‑time in Columbia, with no remote work option. The role follows a 9/80 schedule, providing a structured workweek with an additional day off every other week. The Buyer works in a professional office and operations environment, using computers, ERP systems, and Microsoft Excel extensively to manage purchasing activities, supplier information, and contract documentation. The work involves regular interaction with cross‑functional teams and external suppliers, requiring clear communication and collaboration throughout the procurement process.

This is a Contract position based out of Columbia, MD.

The pay range for this position is $30.00 - $45.00/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 Columbia,MD.

This position is anticipated to close on Aug 4, 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.