Junior Buyer

Aston Carter; Santa Clara (CA); On-site; USD 48,216,000 - 55,104,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental & vision

401(k)

Life Insurance

Disability insurance

HSA

Job summary

Aston Carter is seeking a Junior Buyer to join our Santa Clara, CA team. You will work with suppliers and internal Engineering, Production, and Quality teams to move materials, manage POs, and improve cost and supplier performance.

This is a 9-month contract-to-hire opportunity with potential for long-term placement based on performance. Onsite schedule, standard working hours, and a collaborative manufacturing-focused environment.

Qualifications

• 2+ years of purchasing, procurement, buying, or supply chain experience.
• Experience creating and managing purchase orders.
• Experience with an ERP system in a manufacturing environment.
• Strong Excel skills and data analysis abilities.

Responsibilities

• Source, evaluate, and manage suppliers based on quality, cost, and delivery.
• Create, manage, and track purchase orders using ERP systems.
• Negotiate supplier pricing, terms, lead times, and delivery schedules.
• Monitor inventory levels to ensure material availability for production.
• Collaborate with Engineering, Production, and Quality to meet purchasing needs and NPI requirements.
• Ensure purchased materials meet FDA, ISO, and regulatory standards.
• Monitor supplier performance, market conditions, pricing, and risks.
• Identify cost-saving and process improvement opportunities.
• Resolve shortages, late deliveries, price issues, and other supply chain challenges.
• Use Excel and ERP data to track purchasing activity and supplier performance.
• Support continuous improvement initiatives across procurement.

Skills

Purchasing foundation

ERP experience

Microsoft Excel

Supplier management

Analytical skills

Communication

Organization

Multitasking

Team collaboration

Tools

ERP systems

Job description

Junior Buyer | Medical Device Manufacturing

Build your purchasing career while helping bring high-quality medical devices from production to patients.

If you're a Buyer, Purchasing Specialist, or Supply Chain professional looking to take the next step in your career, this is an opportunity to gain hands-on experience in a highly regulated medical device manufacturing environment.

We're seeking a Junior Buyer to join our team in Santa Clara, CA. You'll work directly with suppliers and internal Engineering, Production, and Quality teams to keep critical materials moving, manage purchase orders and inventory, solve supply challenges, and identify opportunities to improve cost and supplier performance.

This is a 9-month contract-to-hire opportunity with the potential to develop into a long-term position based on performance and business needs.

What You'll Do

• Source, evaluate, and manage suppliers based on quality, cost, and delivery performance
• Create, manage, and track purchase orders using ERP systems
• Negotiate supplier pricing, terms, lead times, and delivery schedules
• Monitor inventory levels to ensure materials are available to support production
• Work closely with Engineering, Production, and Quality Assurance on purchasing needs and new product introductions
• Help ensure purchased materials meet applicable FDA, ISO, quality, and regulatory requirements
• Monitor supplier performance, market conditions, pricing, and potential supply risks
• Identify cost-saving and process improvement opportunities
• Resolve material shortages, late deliveries, pricing issues, and other supply chain challenges
• Use Excel and ERP data to track purchasing activity, inventory, and supplier performance
• Support continuous improvement initiatives across the procurement and supply chain process

What We're Looking For

We're looking for someone who has a strong purchasing foundation and is ready to continue developing their career.

Ideal Candidates Will Bring

• 2+ years of experience in purchasing, procurement, buying, or supply chain
• Hands-on experience creating and managing purchase orders
• Experience working with an ERP system, particularly in a manufacturing environment
• Strong Microsoft Excel skills
• Understanding of purchasing, inventory, supplier management, and general supply chain processes
• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities
• Excellent organization and attention to detail
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines
• Strong communication skills and the ability to build relationships with suppliers and internal teams
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively

Even Better If You Have

• Experience with QAD, JDE, or another large-scale ERP platform
• Purchasing experience within medical devices, manufacturing, life sciences, or another regulated industry
• Familiarity with FDA or ISO quality requirements
• Experience with supplier performance management
• Exposure to cost-reduction initiatives
• Inventory control or supply planning experience
• Advanced Excel experience involving reporting, tracking, or data analysis

Why This Opportunity?

This position gives you the chance to do more than simply process purchase orders. You'll gain exposure to the broader supply chain and work alongside Engineering, Manufacturing, Quality, and external suppliers in an environment where purchasing decisions directly impact production.

It's a great opportunity for someone who wants to:

• Grow from transactional purchasing into a true Buyer role
• Gain Valuable Medical Device Industry Experience
• Develop experience with supplier negotiations and supplier management
• Strengthen their ERP and Excel expertise
• Learn more about FDA, ISO, and regulated manufacturing environments
• Build Experience Supporting New Product Introductions And Production
• Potentially transition into a long-term position

Work Environment

Location: Santa Clara, CA

Schedule: Fully onsite

Hours: 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Duration: 9-month contract-to-hire opportunity

You'll work in a collaborative professional environment closely connected to manufacturing, engineering, and quality teams.

Ready to take the next step in your purchasing career?

If you have purchasing or supply chain experience and want the opportunity to build your skills in the medical device industry, we'd love to hear from you.

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Santa Clara, CA.

Pay And Benefits

The pay range for this position is $35.00 - $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)
• Workplace Type This is a fully onsite position in Santa Clara,CA.
• Application Deadline This position is anticipated to close on Oct 6, 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 [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.