Buyer Planner

Job Title: Buyer Planner

Job Description

The Buyer Planner sources steel and third-party materials, optimizes supplier relationships, and supports production by ensuring timely, cost-effective, and quality-focused procurement. This role leverages SAP and other business systems to analyze job costs, manage purchase requests, and drive continuous improvement in a structured, fast-paced manufacturing environment.

Responsibilities

• Source steel and third-party materials from a range of vendors across Canada and the United States.
• Analyze SAP job costs against requests for quotation (RFQs) to identify opportunities for more competitive sourcing.
• Develop a strong understanding of vendor capabilities and identify alternative supplier sources to optimize working capital.
• Conduct thorough reviews and comparisons of all supplier quotations to select the vendor that best meets overall job requirements, including budget, lead time, and quality.
• Communicate proactively with internal departments to relay procurement-related information without delay.
• Manage external communication with suppliers regarding quotations, on-time delivery performance, and quality control concerns.
• Write and document clear work instructions for daily processes and procedures, including detailed SAP steps, to support standardization and continuous improvement.
• Participate in continuous improvement initiatives and projects, contributing to Lean Six Sigma–driven results.
• Review open purchase requests daily from internal departments and ensure timely turnaround to support operational execution.
• Maintain a strong sense of urgency in completing work to meet internal and external needs.
• Collaborate closely with internal engineering teams, other internal departments, and suppliers to ensure that any changes are fully understood and properly implemented.
• Read and interpret engineering drawings and blueprints to support accurate purchasing decisions.
• Apply knowledge of heavy steel and associated manufacturing processes, including welding and machining, when evaluating suppliers and materials.
• Support effective inventory management, production scheduling, and planning to align material availability with production needs.
• Engage in negotiation with suppliers to achieve favorable terms while maintaining quality and delivery standards.
  
  

Essential Skills

• One to three years of industrial purchasing-related experience.
• Demonstrated experience in purchasing, procurement, and buying within an industrial or manufacturing environment.
• Proficiency with SAP for job costing, purchasing, and related ERP activities.
• Experience with ERP systems and purchase order management.
• Strong skills in planning, production scheduling, and schedule planning.
• Solid understanding of supply chain processes, inventory management, and inventory control.
• Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings and blueprints.
• Knowledge and understanding of heavy steel and associated processes, including welding and machining.
• Strong analytical, reasoning, and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications, including Outlook and SharePoint.
• Excellent personal computer skills and comfort working with digital tools.
• Ability to work effectively in a structured, fast-paced, multi-tasking work environment.
• High level of organization, motivation, efficiency, and attention to detail.
• Ability to prioritize work and manage multiple competing deadlines.
• Demonstrated negotiation skills with suppliers.
  
  

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Supply Chain Management, Business Management, or a related discipline preferred.
• Working knowledge of manufacturing processes and production environments.
• Experience participating in continuous improvement initiatives, including Lean Six Sigma–driven projects.
• Experience writing and documenting work instructions, processes, and procedures.
• Familiarity with procurement of steel and heavy industrial materials.
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to build effective relationships with internal stakeholders and external suppliers.
  
  

Work Environment

This role operates in a structured, fast-paced manufacturing environment that relies on precise coordination between purchasing, engineering, production, and other internal departments. The Buyer Planner works extensively with SAP and other ERP tools, Microsoft Office, Outlook, and SharePoint to manage data, analyze costs, and communicate with stakeholders. The position requires frequent interaction with engineering teams, production staff, and suppliers, as well as regular review of engineering drawings and blueprints. The work involves managing multiple tasks and deadlines simultaneously, maintaining a strong sense of urgency, and supporting continuous improvement initiatives across the organization.

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract position based out of Grafton, WI.

Pay And Benefits

The pay range for this position is $24.04 - $30.29/hr.

Requirements

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 Grafton,WI.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Jun 26, 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 astoncarteraccommodation@astoncarter.com 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.