Supply Chain Buyer

Vaco by Highspring; Hawthorne (CA); On-site; USD 44,000 - 55,000; Part time

Job summary

Vaco by Highspring in Hawthorne, CA is seeking a Supply Chain Buyer for a contract role onsite. You will create and manage POs, track orders, and work with suppliers to protect production schedules in a fast-paced defense/aerospace environment.

Ideal candidates have 2+ years in purchasing or expediting, experience with ERP systems (NetSuite preferred), and strong Excel skills (VLOOKUP, PivotTables). This role offers a competitive hourly rate, with potential contract-to-hire.

Qualifications

• 2+ years of experience in purchasing, tactical buying, procurement, expediting, or supply chain operations.
• Intermediate Excel skills, including VLOOKUPs and Pivot Tables.
• Experience working with ERP systems; NetSuite experience preferred.

Responsibilities

• Create, release, and manage purchase orders based on MRP signals and production requirements.
• Maintain open order, shortage, and past-due reports to ensure uninterrupted material flow.
• Expedite critical materials and work directly with suppliers to recover late deliveries.
• Obtain and track supplier commitments, delivery schedules, and shipment status updates.
• Coordinate partial shipments, expedited freight, and alternate sourcing solutions when necessary.
• Monitor inbound shipments and resolve transportation, documentation, and receiving issues.
• Communicate material shortages, risks, and recovery plans to planning, manufacturing, and operations teams.
• Escalate critical supply issues with recommendations and impact assessments.
• Support production schedules by proactively identifying and mitigating supply chain disruptions.

Skills

Purchasing experience

Supplier communication

Organization & multitasking

Problem solving

Fast-paced manufacturing environment

Education

Bachelor's degree (Supply Chain/Business/Operations)

Tools

NetSuite

Job description

Employment Type: Contract (Potential Contract-to-Hire)

Location: Hawthorne, CA (100% Onsite)

Pay: $32-$40/hr

Overview

A rapidly growing company in the defense and aerospace industry is seeking a Supply Chain Buyer to support increasing operational demand. This role is open due to growth and will play a critical part in ensuring material availability, maintaining supplier performance, and protecting production schedules.

This is a highly tactical, execution-focused position ideal for someone who thrives in a fast-paced manufacturing environment, enjoys supplier communication, and can effectively manage competing priorities.

Key Responsibilities

• Create, release, and manage purchase orders based on MRP signals and production requirements
• Maintain open order, shortage, and past-due reports to ensure uninterrupted material flow
• Expedite critical materials and work directly with suppliers to recover late deliveries
• Obtain and track supplier commitments, delivery schedules, and shipment status updates
• Coordinate partial shipments, expedited freight, and alternate sourcing solutions when necessary
• Monitor inbound shipments and resolve transportation, documentation, and receiving issues
• Communicate material shortages, risks, and recovery plans to planning, manufacturing, and operations teams
• Escalate critical supply issues with recommendations and impact assessments
• Support production schedules by proactively identifying and mitigating supply chain disruptions

Qualifications & Requirements

• 2+ years of experience in purchasing, tactical buying, procurement, expediting, or supply chain operations
• Experience supporting manufacturing environments required
• Defense or aerospace industry experience strongly preferred
• Bachelor's degree required (Supply Chain, Business, Operations, or related field preferred)
• Intermediate Excel skills, including VLOOKUPs and Pivot Tables
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities simultaneously
• Excellent supplier follow-up, communication, and problem-solving abilities
• Experience working within ERP systems; NetSuite experience preferred
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, production-driven environment

Preferred Experience

• Defense, aerospace, or other highly regulated manufacturing environments
• High-volume purchasing and supplier management
• Production support and material shortage recovery initiatives

Equal Opportunity Notice

Highspring LLC (d/b/a Vaco by Highspring) and its parents, affiliates, and subsidiaries ("we," "our," or "Vaco by Highspring") are committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals and does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race (including but not limited to traits historically associated with race such as hair texture and hair style), color, sex (includes pregnancy or related conditions), religion or creed, national origin, citizenship, age, disability, status as a veteran, union membership, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, marital status, political affiliation, or any other protected characteristics as required by applicable law. The company is also committed to ensuring that persons who need them are provided with reasonable accommodations; if an accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, please contact [e-mail].

Privacy Notice

Vaco by Highspring respects your privacy and are committed to providing transparent notice of our policies.

• California residents may access Vaco by Highspring HR Notice at Collection for California Applicants and Employees here.
• Virginia residents may access our state specific policies here.
• Residents of all other states may access our policies here.
• Canadian residents may access our policies in English here and in French here.
• Residents of countries governed by GDPR and UK GDPR may access our policies here.

Additionally, submissions to this position are subject to the use of AI to perform preliminary candidate screenings, focused on ensuring minimum job requirements noted in the position are satisfied. More details about Vaco by Highspring's use of AI can be found here (https://www.highspring.com/ai-use-notices/). Further assessment of candidates beyond this initial phase will be conducted by recruiters and hiring managers. Vaco by Highspring does not know and cannot opine on if its client's use of AI products in hiring.

Pay Transparency Notice

Determining compensation for this role (and others) at Vaco by Highspring depends upon a wide array of factors including but not limited to:

• the individual's skill sets, experience and training;
• licensure and certification requirements;
• office location and other geographic considerations; and
• other business and organizational needs.

With that said, as required by local law, Vaco by Highspring believes that the following salary range referenced above reasonably estimates the base compensation for an individual hired into this position in geographies that require salary range disclosure. The individual may also be eligible for discretionary bonuses and/or participation in medical, dental, and vision benefits as well as the company's retirement plan (or similar retirement benefits).