• Lead Buyer

    Aston Carter (Carlsbad, CA)


    Job Title: Purchasing Lead

    Job Description

    A growing manufacturing company in Carlsbad is seeking a Purchasing Lead to join their team on a contract-to-hire basis. This role is crucial for supporting operations by managing procurement activities, leading a small team, and optimizing purchasing processes. The ideal candidate will bring a strong background in manufacturing, hands-on ERP experience, and a collaborative leadership style.

    Responsibilities

    + Lead and supervise a team of 2-4 buyers.

    + Manage internal and external purchasing of raw materials and office equipment.

    + Create and send purchase orders to vendors for supplies and materials.

    + Communicate with vendors by email and phone regarding purchase orders.

    + Check purchase orders, update notes, and calendar check-back dates.

    + Authorize payments and maintain receipts, records, and inventories.

    + Seek approvals for purchase orders to be taken off hold and received.

    + Coordinate shipments to and from vendors, including all needed paperwork.

    + Collaborate with vendors, production supervisors, and customer service.

    + Streamline purchasing processes using Acumatica ERP.

    + Organize and structure workflows; maintain meticulous notes.

    + Implement new strategies and drive operational improvements.

    Essential Skills

    + 5-7 years of experience in purchasing or procurement roles.

    + Ability to lead or supervise others.

    + Strong ERP experience (SAP required; Acumatica a plus).

    + Manufacturing industry experience.

    + Excellent attention to detail and analytical thinking.

    + Strong organizational and communication skills.

     

    Additional Skills & Qualifications

     

    + Experience in the biotech industry.

    + Background in creating structure and streamlining processes.

    + Ability to take and implement feedback effectively.

    + Comfortable stepping down from a previous management role.

    Work Environment

    This is an onsite role in Carlsbad, CA working closely with other department supervisors. The team culture is tight-knit and collaborative, with an emphasis on communication and teamwork. The dress code is business casual, and the role operates from Monday to Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM.

     

    Job Type & Location

     

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

     

    Application Deadline

     

    This position is anticipated to close on Nov 24, 2025.

    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 [email protected] (%[email protected]) for other accommodation options.