Senior Buyer

Job Description
We are seeking an experienced Senior Buyer to join our team on a temporary basis, with a focus on purchasing complex machinery, equipment, tools, raw materials, packaging materials, parts, goods, and services. This role requires a seasoned professional with over eight years of experience to support contracts, subcontracts, or internal organizations by leveraging their expertise in procurement and negotiation.
Responsibilities

• Provide leadership in ensuring compliance with company policies, procedures, and applicable government regulations.
• Compile and analyze statistical data to determine the feasibility of purchasing products and establish price objectives.
• Identify, develop, and select qualified suppliers, evaluating their reliability.
• Recommend changes or updates in purchasing policies and procedures to ensure regulatory compliance.
• Oversee competitive and sole source procurements to meet required purchase dates and prepare necessary support documentation.
• Conduct major procurement negotiations, including terms, conditions, prices, and schedules.
• Participate in cost and pricing reviews with program management and customers.
• Review and analyze supplier bids, performing cost and/or price analysis.
• Follow up, expedite, and negotiate changes related to delivery and supplier performance.
• Maintain professional relationships with internal and external customers and suppliers.
• Represent the organization as the primary purchasing contact on assigned contracts/subcontracts, making presentations as required.
• Provide guidance and leadership to less experienced professional purchasing and support staff.
• Participate in the selection, development, and training of purchasing staff.

Essential Skills

• Bachelor's degree in business administration or a related discipline, or equivalent professional purchasing experience.
• Thorough understanding of purchasing concepts, principles, FAR, and related governmental rules and regulations.
• Ability to provide innovative solutions to complex purchasing problems.
• Strong communication and presentation skills to document and report findings effectively.
• Strong interpersonal and leadership skills to influence and guide employees, managers, and customers.
• Ability to organize, schedule, and coordinate multiple work phases.
• Experience leading less experienced purchasing staff on projects.
• Strong computer skills with desirable SAP experience.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team, with the flexibility to work extended hours as required.
• Willingness to travel as necessary.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• 10 years of buying or procurement experience, ideally in aerospace, defense, or advanced manufacturing.
• Hands-on experience sourcing machined, cast, and welded components.
• Comfortable reading and working from engineering drawings and specifications.
• Experience in a regulated environment with real exposure to FAR.
• Strong vendor communication skills, including RFQs, pricing discussions, lead times, and issue resolution.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, especially Excel and Excel Pivot Tables.

Work Environment
Join a fast-paced, team-oriented environment, becoming a part of a team of 11 members, where this role is due to pure growth. The company offers a 9/80 schedule, providing every other Friday off, and a long-term contract opportunity with plans for extension based on performance. Personality fit is crucial; we seek someone personable, communicative, and collaborative.
Job Type & Location
This is a Contract position based out of San Diego, CA.
Pay and Benefits
The pay range for this position is $42.00 - $75.00/hr.
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 San Diego,CA.
Application Deadline
This position is anticipated to close on Apr 7, 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® double diamond 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.