Manufacturing Category Buyer

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

Benefits offered by this job

Medical benefits

Vision benefits

Dental benefits

Job summary

Aston Carter is seeking a Buyer in manufacturing to manage a defined product category, source from vendors, and negotiate terms to optimize margins. The role focuses on ensuring availability, pricing, and quality while coordinating with internal teams to meet sales and operational goals.

Responsibilities include creating purchase orders, monitoring inventory, analyzing trends, and leveraging AS/400 or similar systems for data accuracy.

Qualifications

• Proven experience in buyer purchasing and vendor negotiation.
• Strong understanding of inventory management and purchase order processes.
• Familiarity with AS/400 or similar enterprise systems.

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.

Skills

Vendor negotiation

Inventory management

Purchase orders

AS/400 systems

Microsoft Office

Analytical skills

Communication skills

Documentation

Cross-functional collaboration

Tools

AS/400

Job description

Aston Carter is seeking a Buyer in manufacturing to manage a defined product category, source from vendors, and negotiate terms to optimize margins. The role focuses on ensuring availability, pricing, and quality while coordinating with internal teams to meet sales and operational goals.

Responsibilities include creating purchase orders, monitoring inventory, analyzing trends, and leveraging AS/400 or similar systems for data accuracy.