Commercial Buyer

Job Title: Commercial Buyer Job Description
The Commercial Buyer is responsible for competitive sourcing, commercial evaluation, supplier negotiation, purchase order placement, and ongoing commercial management of assigned goods and services. This role collaborates closely with Engineering, Project Management, Supply Chain, Finance, Quality, Logistics, and suppliers to secure optimal total cost, terms, quality, and delivery performance while supporting project budgets, margins, schedules, and risk objectives.
Responsibilities
- Lead competitive sourcing activities for assigned goods and services to ensure best value, quality, and delivery performance.
- Conduct thorough commercial evaluations and bid analyses to support sourcing decisions and project objectives.
- Negotiate pricing, commercial terms, and conditions with suppliers to achieve cost, schedule, and risk targets.
- Create, issue, and manage purchase orders in alignment with project requirements, budgets, and timelines.
- Monitor and manage supplier performance, including on-time delivery, quality, and adherence to contractual terms.
- Drive cost reduction initiatives and total cost of ownership improvements across assigned categories.
- Collaborate with Engineering and Project Management to understand technical and project requirements and translate them into effective purchasing strategies.
- Work closely with Supply Chain, Finance, Quality, and Logistics teams to ensure seamless material flow and alignment with organizational objectives.
- Apply working knowledge of Incoterms, domestic and international logistics, and standard purchasing terms and conditions to mitigate commercial risk.
- Use ERP or MRP purchasing systems and procurement reporting tools to track orders, inventory status, and supplier performance.
- Maintain accurate purchasing records, documentation, and reports to support transparency and audit readiness.
- Support project budgets and margin targets by managing commercial risks and identifying savings opportunities.
- Travel domestically and internationally as needed to visit suppliers, attend meetings, and support sourcing activities.
Essential Skills
- Six to ten years of progressive purchasing, procurement, or strategic sourcing experience.
- Experience with project-based buying in an engineering, manufacturing, construction, or industrial environment.
- Demonstrated experience leading competitive sourcing events and commercial bid analysis.
- Proven supplier negotiation skills, including pricing and commercial terms.
- Hands-on experience with purchase order creation, placement, and lifecycle management.
- Track record of cost reduction and total cost improvement initiatives.
- Experience in supplier performance management, including delivery and quality performance.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office, including strong skills in Microsoft Excel.
- Proficiency with ERP or MRP purchasing systems and procurement reporting tools.
- Working knowledge of Incoterms and domestic and international logistics.
- Understanding of total cost analysis, standard purchasing terms and conditions, and commercial risk management.
- Willingness and ability to travel domestically and internationally as needed.
Additional Skills & Qualifications
- Bachelors degree in Supply Chain, Procurement, Business, Engineering, or a related field (preferred).
- Experience with SAP or similar enterprise purchasing systems (SAP preferred).
- Experience in inventory-related purchasing and coordination.
- Background in vendor management, including relationship development and issue resolution.
- Ability to collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams such as Engineering, Project Management, Supply Chain, Finance, Quality, and Logistics.
- Strong analytical, organizational, and communication skills to support data-driven purchasing decisions.
Work Environment
This role follows a hybrid work arrangement with four days in the office and one day working remotely each week. The position operates within a professional office environment and collaborates closely with cross-functional teams. Work is primarily performed using Microsoft Office, ERP or MRP purchasing systems, procurement reporting tools, and SAP (preferred) to manage sourcing activities, purchase orders, and supplier performance. Occasional domestic and international travel is required to engage with suppliers and support sourcing and project needs.
Job Type & Location
This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Sugar Land, TX.
Pay and Benefits
The pay range for this position is $38.46 - $43.27/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)
Job Type & Location
This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Sugar Land, TX.
Application Deadline
This position is anticipated to close on Oct 30, 2026.
Workplace Type
This is a fully onsite position in Sugar Land,TX.

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.