Purchasing Assistant

Aston Carter; Warren (MA); On-site; USD 37,000 - 47,000; Full time

Job summary

Aston Carter is seeking a Purchasing Assistant to support a manufacturing operation during a major transformation. The role focuses on clearing a large backlog, with hands-on purchasing, quotes, and supplier management in a fast-paced environment.

The position is on-site in Warren, MA and involves heavy use of ERP systems and Excel to manage data, orders, and vendor communications. The contract is temporary with potential for conversion for strong performers.

Qualifications

• Approximately 5+ years of experience in Buyer, Purchasing, Procurement, or a closely related role preferred.
• Solid understanding of the full purchasing lifecycle and purchase order process.
• Proven experience communicating with and maintaining relationships with vendors and suppliers.
• Experience requesting, obtaining, and managing supplier quotes.
• Previous experience working with an ERP system; training will be provided.
• Comfortable using Microsoft Excel to manage and track purchasing data.

Responsibilities

• Manage day-to-day purchasing and procurement activities for materials and components that support manufacturing operations.
• Process purchase orders accurately and maintain up-to-date purchasing information within the ERP system.
• Request, obtain, and manage supplier quotes to support timely and cost-effective purchasing decisions.
• Communicate with vendors regarding pricing, availability, lead times, order status, and delivery expectations.
• Build and maintain relationships with suppliers to support ongoing operational needs.
• Participate in supplier meetings and follow up on outstanding purchasing requirements and action items.
• Monitor open orders and address potential delays, issues, or discrepancies.
• Data entry, coding, and documentation of purchasing activities with high accuracy.
• Work cross-functionally with internal teams to ensure materials are available for production schedules.
• Prioritize urgent material needs as production requirements change.
• Utilize Excel to track, analyze, and manage purchasing data.
• Support additional purchasing initiatives to backlog and improve processes.
• Allocate time roughly 50% purchasing, 30% quotes, 20% vendor communication.

Skills

Vendor management

Negotiation

Procurement

Excel proficiency

Tools

ERP system

Microsoft Excel

Microsoft Office

Job description

Job Description

This Purchasing Assistant role supports a manufacturing organization during a significant transformation period, focusing on clearing a large purchasing and production backlog. The position is a 612 month contract, with an expected duration of 912 months and potential for permanent conversion for strong performers. The Purchasing Assistant will manage hands‑on purchasing activities to ensure materials and components are efficiently quoted, ordered, and delivered to support ongoing manufacturing operations in a fast‑paced, changing environment.

Job Title: Purchasing Assistant

Responsibilities

• Manage day-to-day purchasing and procurement activities for materials and components that support manufacturing operations.
• Process purchase orders accurately and maintain up-to-date purchasing information within the ERP system.
• Request, obtain, and manage supplier quotes to support timely and cost-effective purchasing decisions.
• Communicate regularly with vendors regarding pricing, availability, lead times, order status, and delivery expectations.
• Build and maintain strong, professional relationships with suppliers to support ongoing operational needs.
• Participate in supplier meetings and follow up on outstanding purchasing requirements and action items.
• Monitor open orders and proactively identify and address potential delays, issues, or discrepancies.
• Perform purchasing‑related data entry, coding, and documentation with a high level of accuracy and attention to detail.
• Work cross‑functionally with internal teams to ensure materials are available when needed to support production schedules.
• Help prioritize urgent material needs as production requirements and business priorities change.
• Utilize Microsoft Excel to track, analyze, and manage purchasing‑related information and data.
• Support additional purchasing and procurement initiatives as needed to help work through the backlog and improve processes.
• Allocate time approximately as follows: 50% purchasing and ordering materials, 30% requesting and processing quotes, and 20% vendor communication and supplier relationship management.
• Purchase a variety of manufacturing‑related materials, which may include castings, custom‑machined components, hardware, nuts, bolts, and other manufacturing components and supplies.

Essential Skills

• Approximately 5+ years of experience in Buyer, Purchasing, Procurement, or a closely related role preferred.
• Solid understanding of the full purchasing lifecycle and purchase order process.
• Proven experience communicating with and maintaining relationships with vendors and suppliers.
• Experience requesting, obtaining, and managing supplier quotes.
• Previous experience working with an ERP system; specific ERP platform experience is not required, and training will be provided.
• Comfortable using Microsoft Excel to manage and track purchasing data.
• Strong organizational skills and meticulous attention to detail.
• Ability to manage a high volume of purchasing activity and data entry while maintaining accuracy.
• Ability to prioritize multiple requests and adjust quickly as business needs and production requirements change.
• Demonstrated ability to work with a strong sense of urgency in a fast‑paced, changing environment.
• Comfortable working through ambiguity and solving problems as they arise.
• Strong vendor management and negotiation skills.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Manufacturing experience is strongly preferred but not strictly required.
• Experience purchasing manufacturing components, hardware, raw materials, or similar products is a plus.
• Background in supply chain, inventory, or related operational functions is beneficial.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office tools beyond Excel is helpful.
• Experience as a Buyer with responsibility for vendor management, ERP use, and quoting activities is advantageous.
• Ability to stay focused and productive when priorities shift and situations do not go perfectly according to plan.
• Dynamic, driven, and willing to roll up sleeves and jump in to get things done during a period of organizational transformation.

Work Environment

This is an on‑site role based in a manufacturing environment in Massachusetts. The organization is undergoing an important transformation period, resulting in a fast‑paced setting where priorities can change quickly and a significant purchasing and production backlog is being actively addressed. The Buyer will work closely with operations, supply chain, and other internal teams, using ERP systems and Microsoft Office tools to manage purchasing activities. The environment emphasizes collaboration, problem‑solving, and a strong sense of urgency, offering the opportunity to make an immediate and visible impact. With multiple openings and the potential for 12 high‑performing individuals to convert to permanent roles at the end of the contract, the workplace supports growth for those who enjoy staying busy, building supplier relationships, and helping a manufacturing operation move forward.

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract position based out of Warren, MA.

Pay And Benefits

The pay range for this position is $27.00 - $34.00/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)

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Oct 30, 2026.

Workplace Type

This is a fully onsite position in Warren,MA.

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.