Job Title: Buyer II
Job Description
This mid-level Buyer II position offers a temporary opportunity to support a high-technology defense and advanced technology environment. The role focuses on purchasing parts, materials, equipment, goods, and services that support complex programs, including aircraft carriers, satellites, advanced electronics, semiconductors, assemblies, and printed wire boards. Working under general direction with limited review, you will manage the full procurement lifecycle, from requisition validation and supplier selection through negotiation, order placement, and delivery monitoring, while ensuring strict compliance with Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR/DFARS) and internal policies.
Responsibilities
Purchase parts, materials, equipment, goods, and services to support contracts, subcontracts, and internal organizations.
Validate purchase requisitions for completeness, accuracy, and compliance before initiating procurement actions.
Identify, develop, and select qualified suppliers capable of meeting cost, quality, schedule, and technical requirements.
Compile and analyze statistical and market data to determine the feasibility of purchasing products and to establish price objectives.
Coordinate competitive and sole source procurements to meet required purchase dates and prepare all supporting documentation.
Solicit, review, and analyze supplier bids and proposals for hardware, components, assemblies, electronics, semiconductors, printed wire boards, and related commodities.
Perform cost and price analyses to support proposal activities and justify supplier selections, including competitive and sole-source justifications.
Conduct major procurement negotiations covering terms and conditions, pricing, schedules, and other contractual requirements.
Participate in cost and pricing reviews with program management and customer representatives to ensure alignment with program objectives.
Manage a high-volume purchase order workload, including up to approximately 100 active purchase orders simultaneously.
Execute the full purchase order cycle from quoting, documentation preparation, compliance routing, and order issuance through monitoring on-time delivery.
Expedite orders, track delivery status, and negotiate changes to delivery schedules and supplier performance as needed.
Ensure all procurements comply with company policies, procedures, FAR, DFARS, and other applicable government regulations throughout the procurement lifecycle.
Maintain accurate procurement records and documentation within SAP or a comparable ERP system, ensuring traceability and audit readiness.
Monitor and evaluate supplier reliability and performance, including quality, cost, responsiveness, and adherence to schedule.
Initiate and support supplier onboarding, re-certification, and qualification processes in coordination with internal stakeholders.
Maintain professional relationships with internal and external customers, suppliers, program management, and peer buyers.
Represent the organization as the primary purchasing contact on assigned contracts and subcontracts, including preparing and delivering presentations as required.
Provide advice and guidance to professional or technical staff on purchasing matters and support less experienced purchasing staff on projects.
Organize, schedule, and coordinate multiple work phases to meet program timelines and procurement deadlines.
Observe all applicable laws, regulations, and obligations when conducting business on behalf of the company, and work in a safe manner in accordance with established procedures and practices.
Collaborate within a 10-person buying team, engaging in peer cross-checking and open communication to support all assigned programs.
Perform other related duties as assigned in support of procurement and program objectives.
Essential Skills
Typically requires a bachelor's degree in business administration or a related discipline, along with three or more years of progressive professional purchasing experience; equivalent professional purchasing experience may be substituted in lieu of education.
3-7 years of mid-level procurement or buying experience, preferably in a complex, high-technology, or defense-related environment.
Strong understanding of purchasing concepts and principles, including the full procurement lifecycle from requisition through delivery and closeout.
Working knowledge of Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR) and Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS) as applied to purchase order execution.
Demonstrated ability to ensure all procurements are compliant with government regulations from quote through order issuance.
Experience preparing and maintaining required compliance documentation throughout the procurement lifecycle.
Proven experience managing a high-volume purchase order workload, including handling up to approximately 100 active purchase orders at once.
Ability to execute the full purchase order cycle, including quoting, documentation preparation, routing through compliance, issuing orders, and monitoring on-time delivery.
Experience soliciting and evaluating supplier quotes for hardware, components, assemblies, electronics, semiconductors, and printed wire boards.
Ability to conduct cost and price analysis in support of proposal activities and procurement decisions.
Experience supporting Department of Defense or government-funded programs and familiarity with the associated procurement requirements.
Strong communication and presentation skills to accurately document and report findings to a variety of audiences.
Strong interpersonal and leadership skills to influence and guide employees, managers, customers, and suppliers.
Ability to organize, schedule, and coordinate multiple work phases and competing priorities in a fast-paced environment.
Ability to lead and mentor less experienced purchasing staff on projects as needed.
Strong computer skills, including proficiency with SAP or a comparable ERP system for purchase order creation, tracking, and reporting.
Ability to navigate procurement workflows and maintain accurate records within an ERP environment.
Customer-focused mindset with the ability to provide solutions to a range of complex purchasing problems.
Ability to work independently with minimal supervision and as part of a collaborative team.
Willingness and ability to work extended hours as required to meet program and procurement deadlines.
Additional Skills & Qualifications
Experience supporting active defense programs across multiple commodity @types, including electronics, semiconductors, assemblies, printed wire boards, and sun sensors.
Familiarity with Department of Defense program environments and the defense supplier ecosystem, including compliance expectations.
Experience with supplier onboarding, re-certification, and qualification processes.
Demonstrated ability to maintain professional relationships with internal stakeholders, external suppliers, program management, and peer buyers.
Comfort working cross-functionally in a collaborative, team-oriented environment with peer cross-checking and open communication.
SAP experience is highly desirable; transferable ERP experience is considered relevant and valuable.
Ability to articulate procurement strategies, findings, and recommendations clearly to technical and non-technical stakeholders.
Strong attention to detail and documentation discipline to ensure procurement files are complete, compliant, and audit-ready.
Comfort working in a fully onsite, fast-paced team environment.
Ability to adapt to changing program priorities and support a broad portfolio of hardware-only procurements.
Job Type & Location
This is a Contract position based out of San Diego, CA.
Pay and Benefits
The pay range for this position is $30.00 - $46.00/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 hybrid position in San Diego,CA.
Application Deadline
This position is anticipated to close on May 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® 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 (%20astoncarteraccommodation@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.
