Purchasing Specialist

Job Title: Purchasing Specialist!

Job Description

The Purchasing Specialist plays a key role in driving profitability and customer satisfaction by procuring materials efficiently, cost-effectively, and on time. This role manages supplier relationships, oversees all procurement activities within the ERP system, and ensures pricing aligns with optimal order quantities. The Purchasing Specialist analyzes market trends, cost fluctuations, and sales data to strategically time purchases, prevent overstock, and support smooth transitions of new products from development to production.

Responsibilities

• Procure materials efficiently, accurately, and on time by following established processes within the ERP system.
• Manage the full purchase order lifecycle, including issuing purchase orders to selected suppliers and overseeing each stage of the process through receiving.
• Develop and refine processes to achieve required inventory turns per year and maintain appropriate stock levels.
• Analyze trends in supplier pricing, lead times, and sales order activity to determine the optimal timing of purchases.
• Track supplier performance for on-time delivery, price control, and consistent product quality.
• Verify the accuracy of computerized purchasing records and ensure data integrity within the ERP system.
• Work closely with individual product line groups to reduce excess and obsolete materials and optimize inventory.
• Collaborate with cross-functional departments, including engineering, supply teams, and sales, to improve processes related to inventory and procurement activities.
• Support a smooth transition of new products from development to production by coordinating with engineering, supply, and sales teams.
• Monitor and report price increases from the supply base to leadership, documenting changes and providing total cost increases for sales price lists.
• Develop and maintain primary and secondary suppliers for all products and components to ensure supply continuity and competitive pricing.
• Review and analyze usage reports, pricing trends, lead times, and cycle counts to support data-driven purchasing decisions.
• Influence and implement new ideas, strategies, and process improvements within the purchasing function.
• Prioritize and plan daily work activities based on competing priorities, deadlines, and last-minute changes, ensuring consistent follow-through.
• Maintain clear, professional communication with internal teams, management, and external suppliers while upholding confidentiality.

Essential Skills

• At least 1 year of experience in procurement, purchasing, or a purchasing environment.
• Hands-on experience with procurement and purchasing processes, including issuing and managing purchase orders.
• ERP experience, with the ability to learn and adapt to a new ERP system.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office with strong emphasis on Microsoft Excel skills.
• Ability to analyze usage reports, pricing trends, lead times, and related purchasing data.
• Experience with inventory management, including cycle counts and order entry.
• Strong negotiation skills to secure favorable pricing, terms, and supplier agreements.
• Solid analytical skills to gather, interpret, and act on data effectively.
• Ability to recognize and resolve problems in a timely and effective manner.
• Capability to prioritize and plan work activities in a fast-paced environment with competing priorities and deadlines.
• Strong time management skills and the ability to develop realistic action plans.
• Dependable, reliable, and consistent performance with a strong sense of accountability.
• Ability to follow and respond appropriately to management direction.
• Effective verbal communication skills, including the ability to speak clearly and persuasively in both positive and challenging situations.
• Ability to communicate professionally with employees, managers, and external partners while maintaining confidentiality.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience working with inventory turns and developing processes to achieve targeted inventory performance.
• Familiarity with tracking supplier performance for on-time delivery, price control, and quality consistency.
• Experience working with cross-functional teams such as engineering, supply, and sales to support product transitions and process improvements.
• Demonstrated ability to influence ideas and bring new purchasing strategies into action.
• Strong attention to detail when verifying computerized purchasing records and ERP data.
• Comfort working with data-driven decision-making and continuous process improvement.
• Ability to adapt to last-minute changes and shifting priorities while maintaining quality and accuracy.
• Strong interpersonal skills to build and maintain productive supplier and internal relationships.

Work Environment

The role operates within a manufacturing environment focused on industrial hose production. The Purchasing Specialist works closely with the current Procurement Manager and collaborates regularly with engineering, supply, sales, and product line teams. Work is primarily performed using an ERP system, Microsoft Office (with heavy use of Excel), and other standard office tools to manage purchasing and inventory activities. The position offers stable work due to a wide variety of manufactured products, providing long-term career opportunities and intercompany growth. Once hired directly, employees have access to benefits such as quarterly profit-sharing bonuses, growth opportunities within the organization, health insurance options including HSA and FSA, dental, vision, life and disability insurance, a 401(k) plan with employer match, paid time off and holidays, and an Employee Assistance Program. The environment values reliability, collaboration, continuous improvement, and the ability to contribute new ideas and strategies.

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Portland, OR.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $24.00 - $28.00/hr.

Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job-related factors.

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 Portland,OR.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Sep 21, 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.