Buyer

Aston Carter; Clayton (NC); On-site; USD 68,000 - 83,000; Full time

Job summary

Aston Carter in Clayton, NC seeks a Buyer (In manufacturing) to manage defined product groups, source from vendors, and negotiate terms to optimize margins. The role focuses on availability, price, and quality while leveraging AS/400 or similar systems for procurement data.

Responsibilities include creating purchase orders, monitoring inventory, analyzing trends, and collaborating with stakeholders to support sales and operational goals. This is a fully onsite, permanent position in Clayton, NC.

Qualifications

• Manage defined product groups with focus on assortment, availability, price and quality.
• Source products from vendors to meet business needs.
• Negotiate pricing and terms to optimize margins.

Responsibilities

• Create, issue and manage purchase orders to maintain procurement activities.
• Monitor inventory levels to prevent stockouts and overstock.
• Analyze market trends and customer preferences to inform buying decisions.
• Collaborate with internal stakeholders to align product selection with sales goals.
• Use systems like AS/400 to manage purchasing data.

Skills

Vendor negotiation

Inventory management

Purchase order processes

AS/400 systems

Data analysis

Microsoft Office

Cross-functional collaboration

Tools

AS/400

Job description

Job Title: Buyer ( In manufacturing) Job Description The Buyer is responsible for managing a specific group or category of products to ensure the right items are available at the right time, price, and quality. This role focuses on sourcing and negotiating with vendors, optimizing sales, and controlling costs within the assigned category. The Buyer analyzes market trends and customer preferences to make informed purchasing decisions and continuously improve product offerings.

Responsibilities

• Manage a defined product group or category to ensure appropriate assortment, availability, pricing, and quality.
• Source products from suitable vendors and suppliers to meet business and customer needs.
• Negotiate pricing, terms, and conditions with vendors to optimize margins and minimize overall purchasing costs.
• Create, issue, and manage purchase orders to maintain accurate and timely procurement activities.
• Monitor inventory levels to prevent stockouts and overstock situations, ensuring efficient inventory turnover.
• Analyze market trends, sales data, and customer preferences to support data-driven buying decisions.
• Collaborate with internal stakeholders to align product selection and availability with sales and operational goals.
• Use AS/400 or similar systems to manage purchasing and inventory data accurately.
• Identify opportunities to improve product offerings and category performance through strategic sourcing and vendor management.
• Maintain organized records and documentation related to purchasing, inventory, and vendor agreements.
• Apply strong analytical and problem‑solving skills to resolve issues related to supply, cost, or product quality.
• Utilize advanced computer skills, including Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, to prepare reports, presentations, and analyses.
• Communicate effectively with vendors and internal teams to ensure clarity on product requirements, delivery schedules, and pricing.
• Support continuous improvement in purchasing processes and inventory management practices.

Essential Skills

• Proven experience in buyer purchasing and vendor negotiation.
• Strong understanding of inventory management and purchase order processes.
• Ability to work with AS/400 or similar enterprise systems.
• Excellent attention to detail and organizational skills to manage multiple tasks effectively.
• Excellent organizational and problem‑solving skills.
• Effective communication and interpersonal skills to work with vendors and internal teams.
• Strong analytical, problem‑solving, and project management skills.
• Advanced computer skills, including proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
• Familiarity with APICS concepts or methodologies related to supply chain and inventory management.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Demonstrated ability to analyze market trends and customer preferences to guide purchasing decisions.
• Experience optimizing product assortments and category performance.
• Capability to work independently while collaborating effectively with cross‑functional teams.
• Strong documentation and record‑keeping skills related to purchasing and vendor management.

Work Environment

This role primarily involves desk work, with constant computer and telephone use. The position is largely sedentary, with frequent sitting and regular standing and walking. Light lifting of 010 pounds occurs on a constant basis, and lifting of 1020 pounds occurs frequently. Moderate lifting of 2050 pounds and activities such as pulling, pushing, carrying, reaching or working above shoulder level, stooping, kneeling, repeated bending, and walking occur occasionally. Climbing ladders is not required. The work environment is office‑based and centered around detailed computer work, documentation, and communication.

• Pay and Benefits
• The pay range for this position is $75000.00 - $75000.00/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.
• Medical
• Vision
• Health
• Dental

Job Type & Location

This is a Permanent position based out of Clayton, NC.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Nov 5, 2026.

Workplace Type

This is a fully onsite position in Clayton,NC.

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 [e-mail] 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.