Purchasing Manager

Job Title: Purchasing Manager Job Description
This onsite Purchasing Manager role leads end-to-end purchasing and materials management for a growing manufacturing-focused organization. You will own purchase order execution, supplier relationships, inbound material flow, and inventory planning while partnering closely with cross-functional teams. This position is ideal for a hands-on purchasing professional who thrives in a dynamic environment, enjoys building processes and systems, and is motivated by the opportunity to eventually oversee a purchasing department.
Responsibilities
- Issue, track, and manage purchase orders to ensure accurate, timely procurement of components, raw materials, and services.
- Secure supplier commitments and proactively resolve lead-time delays, production holds, and other issues that could impact delivery or operations.
- Maintain and update supplier agreements, ensuring terms, pricing, and service levels remain competitive and aligned with business needs.
- Conduct targeted sourcing efforts to identify alternative components, raw materials, or services as required by changing production or business requirements.
- Qualify new suppliers and lead contract negotiations to secure favorable terms, including pricing, lead times, and service levels.
- Coordinate and follow up on domestic and international inbound shipments, ensuring materials arrive on time and in full.
- Work directly with suppliers, freight forwarders, and customs brokers to confirm supplier readiness, shipping documentation, freight arrangements, customs clearance, duties, tariffs, and landed costs.
- Proactively escalate and resolve issues related to production holds, documentation discrepancies, and shipment delays to minimize operational disruption.
- Establish and maintain safety stock levels, reorder points, and order quantities within the ERP system in alignment with operations and finance targets.
- Monitor inventory levels and adjust purchasing plans based on demand, supplier performance, and changing production requirements.
- Develop and maintain supplier scorecards to track performance in quality, delivery, and cost.
- Lead supplier performance reviews, identify improvement opportunities, and drive corrective actions in collaboration with suppliers and internal stakeholders.
- Prepare regular reports on supplier performance, purchase-price changes, cost savings, lead times, inventory commitments, and landed costs for leadership and cross-functional teams.
- Collaborate with R&D, Quality, and Operations teams on new product introductions, engineering changes, and supplier readiness to support smooth launches and transitions.
- Manage and coordinate supplier-held tooling, ensuring availability and readiness to support production needs.
- Use ERP/MRP systems and data analysis to support informed, data-driven purchasing decisions and continuous improvement of purchasing processes.
- Support the development and scaling of the purchasing function, with the opportunity to eventually oversee and lead the purchasing department as the company grows.
Essential Skills
- At least 5 years of progressively responsible experience in purchasing, procurement, or materials management within a manufacturing or physical-product environment.
- Direct responsibility for supplier relationships and purchasing execution in a manufacturing or industrial setting.
- Proven experience purchasing components, raw materials, or industrial products in environments affected by supplier lead times, material-cost fluctuations, and changing production requirements.
- Hands-on experience coordinating international purchases and inbound shipments with suppliers, freight forwarders, and customs brokers.
- Working knowledge of Incoterms, import documentation, duties, tariffs, and landed costs.
- Strong working knowledge of ERP or MRP software for inventory control and data-driven purchasing decisions.
- Experience with NetSuite or a comparable manufacturing ERP system (preferred).
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office, including strong Excel skills for analysis and reporting.
- Demonstrated problem-solving ability with strong analytical skills and the capacity to exercise independent judgment.
- Ability to establish priorities, manage multiple tasks, communicate risks clearly, and drive cross-functional follow-through.
- Experience in purchasing, supply chain, order management, supplier management, sourcing, negotiation, and planning.
Additional Skills & Qualifications
- Experience working in a growing company and contributing to building or improving purchasing processes and systems.
- Interest in developing into a leadership role with the opportunity to eventually oversee a purchasing department.
- Comfort working closely with R&D, Quality, Operations, and Finance teams to support new product introductions and ongoing production needs.
- Familiarity with landed cost analysis and cost-saving initiatives related to purchasing and supply chain.
- Strong communication and relationship-building skills with internal stakeholders and external suppliers.
- Detail-oriented mindset with a focus on accuracy in purchase orders, documentation, and reporting.
Work Environment
This is a fully onsite role based in Ventura, CA, working in-office Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The position primarily involves regular use of computers and standard office equipment in an office setting, along with periodic activity in warehouse and production areas. Reasonable accommodations will be provided to enable qualified individuals to perform essential job functions. The organization offers a comprehensive benefits package, including health insurance, paid holidays and vacation, and a 401(k) plan with employer contribution. The company is in a growth phase, providing the opportunity to help build and shape the purchasing function in a collaborative, operations-focused environment.
Job Type & Location
This is a Permanent position based out of Ventura, CA.
Pay and Benefits
The pay range for this position is $110000.00 - $145000.00/yr. 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. · Health insurance

· Paid holidays and vacation

· 401(k) plan with employer contribution
Workplace Type
This is a fully onsite position in Ventura,CA.
Application Deadline
This position is anticipated to close on Oct 8, 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 [email protected] 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.