Buyer​/Planner

Join to apply for the Buyer / Planner role at Aston Carter
. 3 days ago, be among the first 25 applicants.

The Buyer Planner will work closely with global sales teams, internal manufacturing sites, and external suppliers to ensure purchased components and finished goods are available to meet customer demand. This role plays a key part in monthly Global Sales, Inventory, and Operations Planning (SIOP) reviews for the flagship product line, helping to maintain an optimized supply chain and consistently high service levels.

• Prepare and maintain SIOP files and documentation
• Schedule and facilitate monthly SIOP meetings, including follow-up on action items
• Monitor purchase order ship dates, expediting or escalating as necessary
• Resolve supply challenges to prevent stock‑outs
• Create and adjust purchase orders to ensure accurate ship dates and quantities
• Maintain ERP systems with current lead times, minimum order quantities, and safety stock levels
• Generate shortage reports and drive corrective action plans for late deliveries
• Optimize inbound freight by adjusting purchase order quantities for container utilization
• Analyze excess and obsolete inventory, collaborating with finance on write‑offs
• Support new product development initiatives with supply chain planning
• Manage demand signals for parts phasing out of production to minimize exposure
• Reduce minimum order quantities or lead times to support inventory turns and working capital goals
• Participate in long‑range planning to identify bottlenecks and contribute to capacity expansion strategies

• Bachelor’s degree required
• 5+ years of experience in purchasing, procurement, or supply chain within a manufacturing environment
• Proficiency with ERP systems such as Net Suite, SAP, or Navision
• Experience in global sourcing and working with international suppliers
• Familiarity with electronic components, molded parts, mechanical assemblies, and finished goods
• Strong knowledge of purchasing principles and vendor management
• Excellent negotiation, communication, and relationship‑building skills
• Highly detail‑oriented with strong organizational and time‑management abilities
  
  Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite, especially Excel (pivot tables and VLOOKUPs)

• Knowledge of import/export compliance, logistics, and inventory control is advantageous
• Supply chain certifications such as APICS, Six Sigma, or CPM are highly desirable

This is a Permanent position based out of Lake Forest, CA.

The pay range for this position is $80,000.00 - $85,000.00/yr.

Health & Wellness Medical Insurance:
Comprehensive coverage including doctor visits, hospital stays, and preventive care;
Multiple plan options available to suit individual needs. Dental Insurance:
Coverage for routine clean‑ups, check‑ups, and major dental procedures. Vision Insurance:
Includes annual eye exams, glasses, and contact lenses. Health Savings Account (HSA): A personal healthcare bank account to pay out‑of‑pocket medical expenses with pretax dollars. Employee Assistance Program (EAP):
Confidential counseling and support services for personal and work‑related matters. Wellness Activities & challenges:
Occasional company‑sponsored activities to encourage a healthy lifestyle. Financial Support Retirement Plan:
Safe Harbor 401(k) plan with company matching contributions up 5%. Once eligible, team members are 100% vested from day 1. Life Insurance:
Employer‑paid basic life insurance with options to purchase additional coverage. Short‑Term Disability Insurance Plan (for Team Members Outside of California):
Offers financial support if you lose time on the job due to an injury unrelated to a worker’s compensation incident or illness. Long‑Term Disability Insurance Plan:
Offers financial protection if you become disabled and can no longer work. It will also help you return to work, if appropriate. Flexible Spending Account (FSA):
Tax‑free accounts for eligible health and dependent care expenses. Paid Time Off Vacation Days: 2 weeks (80 hours) of paid vacation annually, with additional accrual for longer tenure. Sick…