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Aston Carter · 1 day ago

Purchasing Agent

Elkhart, IN

Full-time

Onsite

Mid, Senior Level

$55K/yr - $65K/yr

5+ years exp

Aston Carter provides world-class corporate talent solutions, and they are seeking a Purchasing Agent to support manufacturing operations through strategic procurement. The role involves sourcing materials, vendor management, and ensuring inventory control while fostering strong supplier relationships.

ConsultingHuman ResourcesInformation Technology

Growth Opportunities

Responsibilities

Source, evaluate, and select suppliers for MRO and indirect materials based on quality, cost, lead time, and service reliability

Negotiate pricing, payment terms, and delivery schedules to support uptime and cost containment

Issue and manage purchase orders in compliance with internal controls and procurement policies

Maintain and update the Approved Vendor List and supplier records

Foster strong supplier relationships to ensure consistent material availability and responsiveness to urgent needs

Procure production-critical materials, tooling, and consumables to support machining, fabrication, and assembly operations

Collaborate with production, maintenance, and engineering teams to forecast material needs and align purchasing with build schedules

Monitor supplier performance and lead times; escalate and resolve delivery or quality issues to avoid production downtime

Manage blanket purchase orders and vendor-managed inventory (VMI) programs where applicable

Support new product introductions by sourcing initial materials and coordinating with engineering on BOM setup and supplier qualification

Ensure compliance with ISO, safety, and environmental standards in all purchasing activities

Coordinate and execute regular cycle counts to ensure inventory accuracy and minimize variances

Analyze usage trends for machine inserts, tooling, and indirect materials; identify anomalies and adjust reorder points accordingly

Create and maintain part numbers, BOMs, and purchasing data in the ERP system

Maintain MSDS documentation and ISO-compliant vendor records

Partner with maintenance, production, and engineering teams to align purchasing strategies with operational needs

Provide administrative support and contribute to continuous improvement initiatives

Qualification

Purchasing experienceERPMRP softwareVendor managementMS Office proficiencyMetal fabrication experienceISO 9001 familiarityLean manufacturing principlesData analysisNegotiation skillsCommunication skills

Required

5+ years of purchasing experience in the manufacturing sector

Experience with any ERP or MRP software

Proficiency in MS Office, particularly Excel

Experience in metal fabrication manufacturing

Preferred

Prior purchasing experience in CNC machining, metal fabrication, or industrial maintenance environments

Familiarity with ISO 9001 or other quality management systems, including vendor audits and compliance documentation

Understanding of lean manufacturing principles and how procurement supports waste reduction and continuous improvement

Technical knowledge of industrial supplies, tooling, and machine components such as cutting tools, bearings, pneumatics, and hydraulics

Proficiency in pivot tables, VLOOKUPs, and basic data analysis

Exposure to capital equipment purchasing or CapEx project support

Associate's or Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Business, or a related field

Benefits

Comprehensive benefit offerings including medical, dental, vision, 401k with employer match, paid vacation and holidays, life insurance, and a health savings plan.