Buyer/Planner

Job Title: Buyer Planner Job Description
We are seeking a detail-oriented and proactive Buyer / Planner to support purchasing, material planning, inventory management, and production requirements within a manufacturing environment. This individual will be responsible for ensuring the timely availability of materials and components needed to meet production schedules while maintaining appropriate inventory levels, controlling costs, and developing strong supplier relationships. The ideal candidate will have experience working in a manufacturing or engineered-product environment and possess a strong understanding of purchasing, production planning, MRP/ERP systems, inventory management, and supplier coordination.
Responsibilities
- Plan and purchase raw materials, components, parts, and supplies based on production schedules, inventory requirements, forecasts, and customer demand.
- Review MRP requirements and convert planned demand into purchase orders while ensuring appropriate quantities and delivery dates.
- Monitor open purchase orders and proactively communicate with suppliers regarding delivery schedules, shortages, delays, and expedited requirements.
- Coordinate closely with Production, Engineering, Operations, Customer Service, and other internal departments to ensure materials are available to support manufacturing schedules.
- Analyze inventory levels, usage trends, lead times, safety stock, and upcoming production requirements to minimize shortages and excess inventory.
- Maintain appropriate inventory levels while balancing service requirements, production continuity, carrying costs, and supplier lead times.
- Identify potential material shortages and supply-chain risks before they impact production and develop appropriate recovery plans.
- Source and evaluate suppliers based on price, quality, availability, lead time, and overall performance.
- Negotiate pricing, lead times, minimum order quantities, freight terms, and other purchasing conditions with vendors.
- Obtain quotes and perform cost comparisons to support purchasing decisions and cost-reduction initiatives.
- Create, issue, maintain, and follow up on purchase orders within the companys ERP/MRP system.
- Work with suppliers to resolve discrepancies involving pricing, quantities, quality, damaged materials, and delivery performance.
- Maintain accurate purchasing, planning, supplier, lead-time, and inventory information within the ERP system.
- Partner with Engineering and Production when purchasing components related to new products, product revisions, or changing bills of materials.
- Support inventory cycle counts and investigate material or inventory discrepancies as needed.
- Monitor supplier performance and help identify opportunities for alternate sourcing and supply-chain improvement.
- Develop effective working relationships with domestic and international suppliers, where applicable.
- Support continuous improvement initiatives related to purchasing, planning, inventory accuracy, material availability, and cost reduction.
Essential Skills
- Experience with ERP systems and purchase orders.
- Experience in manufacturing buying.
- Strong negotiation and purchasing skills.
- Proficient in logistics and supply chain management.
- 3-4 years of buying experience.
Additional Skills & Qualifications
- Ability to work well with a tenured staff.
- Enjoyment of team events such as ice cream socials and annual picnics.
Work Environment
This position operates within a supply chain office located on the manufacturing floor. The work schedule is Monday through Friday from 7 AM to 3:30 PM, with a team of five people in the supply chain department. The company encourages growth and team bonding, offering weekly ice cream socials and annual team picnics.
Job Type & Location
This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Stony Point, NY.
Pay and Benefits
The pay range for this position is $33.65 - $38.46/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 Stony Point, NY.
Application Deadline
This position is anticipated to close on Nov 10, 2026.
Workplace Type
This is a fully onsite position in Stony Point,NY.

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.