Buyer - Manufacturing and Supply Chain Purchasing

Job Title: Purchasing & Inventory CoordinatorJob Description

The Purchasing & Inventory Coordinator plays a critical role in ensuring uninterrupted production by executing day-to-day purchasing activities and maintaining accurate inventory records. In this role, you coordinate closely with Supply Chain, Production, Inventory, Engineering, Quality, and suppliers to make sure materials are ordered, received, stocked, and available to meet manufacturing schedules. You focus heavily on execution, bringing strong organization, attention to detail, and a sense of urgency to support a fast-paced manufacturing environment where success is measured by material availability, inventory accuracy, supplier responsiveness, and timely completion of purchasing tasks.

Monitor supplier order acknowledgments, delivery commitments, and open purchase orders to ensure materials arrive on time.

Expedite critical material shortages and promptly communicate supplier delays or risks to internal stakeholders.

Coordinate with Planning, Production, Engineering, and Inventory teams to ensure materials are available to support manufacturing schedules.

Support material disposition activities, including returns, RTVs, nonconforming material, and engineering changes.

Maintain up-to-date supplier records, purchasing documentation, and inventory master data in relevant systems.

Participate in cycle count investigations and help resolve inventory discrepancies through structured root cause analysis.

Track and communicate material shortages, backorders, and inventory risks that may impact production output.

Partner with cross-functional teams to drive continuous improvement in purchasing processes, inventory accuracy, and material flow.

Support implementation of supply chain best practices, standard work, and process improvements across operations.

Maintain accurate inventory records and system transactions to support reliable reporting and planning.

Execute purchase orders and supplier follow-up activities to ensure on-time material availability.

Resolve material shortages and supplier delivery issues before they impact production schedules.

Contribute to achieving inventory accuracy goals through effective inventory management and support of cycle counting activities.

Ensure production has the materials required to execute scheduled work and support factory on-time delivery performance.

At least 2 years of experience in purchasing, procurement, inventory control, supply chain, or manufacturing operations.

Proficiency using ERP or MRP systems for purchasing and inventory transactions.

Proficiency with Microsoft Excel for data analysis and reporting.

Ability to work cross-functionally with Production, Engineering, Quality, Planning, and suppliers.

Ability to proactively identify supply risks and drive timely resolutions.

Experience in aerospace, defense, electronics, cable assembly, or wire harness manufacturing.

Background in purchasing, inventory control, material planning, or warehouse operations.

Familiarity with cycle counting, inventory reconciliation, and inventory control best practices.

Understanding of supply chain planning concepts, including lead times, safety stock, and reorder point planning.

Experience using ERP, MRP, or warehouse management systems in a manufacturing or startup environment.

Experience with SQL, Power BI, or similar tools for working with large data sets and performing data analysis.

Bachelor’s degree is preferred but not required.

This role is based in a fast-paced manufacturing environment focused on high-throughput production of electrical wire harnesses enabled by advanced software configuration. You work closely with production floors, inventory storage areas, and office systems, regularly interacting with ERP or MRP platforms and Microsoft Excel to manage purchasing and inventory data. The position involves frequent standing and walking for extended periods of up to 8 hours, as well as occasional lifting of materials up to 25 lbs unassisted. You collaborate daily with cross-functional teams, including Production, Engineering, Quality, Planning, and Supply Chain, in a setting that emphasizes continuous improvement, accurate data, and reliable material flow to support on-time delivery.

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Long Beach, CA.

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)

Application Deadline

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. Canada, Asia Pacific and Europe, Aston Carter serves many of the Fortune 500. 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 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.