Buyer/Planner

Job Title: Buyer/Planner Job Description
We are seeking a highly organized and analytical Production Buyer/Planner to support material planning, purchasing, inventory management, and overall supply chain operations in a fast-growing manufacturing environment. In this role, you will play a key part in scaling operations, building and refining processes, and improving planning systems as the organization expands its production capacity.
Responsibilities
- Plan and manage material requirements using MRP tools and ERP systems, ensuring accurate and timely availability of raw materials and packaging.
- Run, review, and correct MRP outputs, applying a strong understanding of planning logic and inventory impacts rather than simply reviewing reports.
- Manage purchasing activities for raw materials and packaging, including placing orders, monitoring deliveries, and maintaining strong supplier relationships.
- Analyze inventory levels, perform inventory analysis, and support initiatives to improve inventory accuracy and optimize stock levels.
- Create, document, and improve standard operating procedures (SOPs) to support a rapidly growing manufacturing operation and enhance process consistency.
- Monitor supply levels on an ongoing basis and proactively prevent material shortages that could impact production schedules.
- Support cycle counts, investigate inventory variances, and maintain accurate ERP master data for materials and related transactions.
- Coordinate closely with production, warehouse, accounting, and suppliers to ensure on-time material availability and smooth supply chain operations.
- Utilize advanced Excel reporting and analysis tools, including VLOOKUPs and Pivot Tables, to support planning decisions and supply chain performance.
- Contribute to process improvement initiatives that enhance operational scalability and support business growth in a manufacturing environment.
Essential Skills
- Minimum 23+ years of purchasing, planning, or materials management experience in a manufacturing environment.
- Hands-on experience running and correcting MRP outputs, with a solid understanding of planning logic and inventory impacts.
- Strong ERP system experience; Sage preferred, with SAP or Oracle also acceptable.
- Advanced Excel skills, including proficiency with VLOOKUPs and Pivot Tables.
- Experience in material planning, inventory management, and warehouse operations within a manufacturing setting.
- Ability to establish, implement, and improve SOPs in a rapidly growing manufacturing operation.
- High level of attention to detail and ability to work independently while managing multiple priorities.
- Strong communication and organizational skills to collaborate effectively across production, warehouse, accounting, and supplier teams.
Additional Skills & Qualifications
- High School Diploma or equivalent required.
- Bachelors degree preferred.
- Experience in food manufacturing and import logistics is beneficial.
- Background in inventory analysis and supporting inventory accuracy initiatives.
- Experience supporting business growth and process improvements in a manufacturing environment.
- Ability to adapt to growth and operational change and thrive in a fast-paced environment.
Work Environment
This is a fully onsite role in Bethlehem, PA, based in a manufacturing environment that is expanding from three production lines to nine. The standard schedule is approximately 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM, with some schedule flexibility potentially required to support production and supply chain needs. You will work closely with production, warehouse, accounting, and supply chain teams, with regular interaction across the facility. The environment is fast-paced and growth-oriented, offering the opportunity to build processes, implement SOPs, and directly impact operational scalability and company performance.
Job Type & Location
This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Bethlehem, PA.
Pay and Benefits
The pay range for this position is $29.25 - $40.00/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)
Job Type & Location
This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Bethlehem, PA.
Application Deadline
This position is anticipated to close on Oct 30, 2026.
Workplace Type
This is a fully onsite position in Bethlehem,PA.

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.