Job Title: Buyer

Job Description

The Buyer manages complex procurements for technical commodities and specialized services within a highly regulated, fast-paced environment. This role focuses on sourcing and negotiating services and materials that support complex, high-impact programs, while ensuring compliance with company policies, procedures, and applicable government regulations. You will own the full procurement lifecycle—from supplier identification and evaluation through contract negotiation, cost and price analysis, and ongoing supplier performance management—while collaborating closely with program management, internal stakeholders, and external suppliers.

Responsibilities

Ensure all purchasing activities comply with company policies, procedures, and applicable government regulations, including those relevant to government contracting environments.Compile and analyze statistical and purchasing data to determine the feasibility of buying products and services and to establish price objectives.Identify, develop, qualify, and select suppliers for technical commodities and specialized outside services such as engineering, technical services, and specialty operations.Evaluate supplier reliability and performance on an ongoing basis, including delivery, quality, and responsiveness, and take corrective action when necessary.Coordinate competitive and sole-source procurements to meet required purchase dates and prepare all required supporting documentation.Review and analyze supplier bids, perform detailed cost and price analyses, and develop well-justified price objectives based on data.Lead complex procurement negotiations, including pricing, schedules, and terms and conditions, and independently own negotiations for services contracts and technical procurements.Read, interpret, and manage Statements of Work (SOWs) for services contracts, ensuring that scope, deliverables, and expectations are clearly defined and aligned with stakeholder requirements.Draft, review, and negotiate contract terms and conditions to mitigate risk and protect company interests while maintaining strong supplier relationships.Participate in cost and pricing reviews with program management and, when appropriate, with customers, providing clear rationale and documentation for purchasing decisions.Follow up on open purchase orders, expedite deliveries as needed, and negotiate changes related to delivery schedules and supplier performance.Maintain professional, collaborative relationships with internal stakeholders and external suppliers, serving as a primary purchasing contact on assigned contracts and subcontracts.Prepare and deliver presentations or reports as required to communicate procurement strategies, bid evaluations, and recommendations to various audiences.Provide guidance and advice to professional or technical staff on purchasing matters, and lead or mentor less experienced purchasing team members on projects.Organize, schedule, and coordinate multiple work phases and requisitions with varying specifications and deadlines, ensuring accuracy and completeness of documentation.Use advanced Excel skills to track requisitions, analyze data, monitor supplier performance, and support reporting and decision-making.Observe all applicable laws, regulations, and obligations whenever conducting business on behalf of the company, and work safely in accordance with established operating procedures and practices.Perform additional procurement-related duties as assigned to support team and organizational objectives.

Essential Skills

Typically requires a bachelor’s degree in business administration or a related discipline, along with six or more years of progressive professional purchasing experience; equivalent professional purchasing experience may be substituted in lieu of formal education.Complete understanding of purchasing concepts and principles, including experience applying those principles in a professional environment.Strong familiarity with the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) and related governmental rules and regulations, with demonstrated experience applying them in a regulated or government contracting setting.Proven experience in services procurement, including purchasing engineering services, technical services, and specialty operations or other complex outside services.Demonstrated ability to read, interpret, and manage Statements of Work (SOWs) for services contracts, ensuring alignment between scope, deliverables, and contractual terms.Hands-on experience negotiating terms and conditions, including comfort independently leading complex negotiations on pricing, schedules, and contract language.Strong background in supplier evaluation and management, including assessing performance, reliability, and qualifying new suppliers.Advanced cost and price analysis skills, including reviewing bids, analyzing cost structures, and developing data-driven price objectives from statistical information.Advanced Excel proficiency, including using spreadsheets for tracking requisitions, performing data analysis, and generating reports to support procurement decisions.Strong computer skills and experience working with ERP or procurement systems; SAP experience is desirable.Customer-focused mindset with the ability to provide practical, well-reasoned solutions to complex purchasing problems.Excellent written and verbal communication and presentation skills, with the ability to accurately document and report findings to a variety of audiences.Strong interpersonal and leadership skills, with the ability to influence and guide employees, managers, and customers in procurement-related matters.Proven ability to organize, schedule, and coordinate multiple work phases and competing priorities while maintaining high accuracy.Ability to lead and mentor less experienced purchasing staff on projects and procurement initiatives.Ability to work independently with minimal supervision as well as collaboratively as part of a close-knit team.Willingness and ability to work extended hours as needed to meet critical deadlines and support high-impact programs.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

FAR familiarity and prior exposure to government contracting environments are strong differentiators in this role.Experience with SAP or other ERP procurement modules, with the ability to transfer skills across systems.Experience in aerospace, defense, or other highly technical and regulated industries is preferred, though technical experience from sectors such as biotech is also relevant.Demonstrated systematic thinking and the ability to identify information gaps and proactively seek out missing data when making purchasing decisions.Comfort acknowledging when you do not know an answer and taking ownership to research, follow up, and close the loop with stakeholders.Strong attention to detail, with concrete examples of preventing errors or saving money through thorough review and careful analysis.Effective organizational systems and quality control methods to ensure accuracy when managing multiple requisitions with varying specifications and deadlines.Ability to educate and guide stakeholders who may be unfamiliar with procurement policies, maintaining patience, professionalism, and clarity even when they are impatient or demanding.Growth mindset characterized by curiosity, grit, and a proactive approach to problem-solving and continuous improvement.Job Type & Location

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of San Diego, CA.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $40.00 - $50.00/hr.

Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job\n classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be\n subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits\n available for this temporary role may include the following:\n\n
• Medical, dental & vision\n
• Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital\n
• 401(k) Retirement Plan – Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available\n
• Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents)\n
• Short and long-term disability\n
• Health Spending Account (HSA)\n
• Transportation benefits\n
• Employee Assistance Program\n
• Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)

Workplace Type

This is a fully onsite position in San Diego,CA.

Application Deadline

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

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\n\nAbout Aston Carter:\n

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® double diamond winner for both client and talent service.

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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.

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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 astoncarteraccommodation@astoncarter.com for other accommodation options.

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