Job Description
Job DescriptionSenior Buyer / Planner
Location: Onsite
Job Type: Contract-to-Hire
Overview
We are seeking an experienced Senior Buyer / Planner to join a high-performing supply chain team supporting a cutting-edge life sciences manufacturing environment. This role is responsible for end-to-end procurement, planning, and inventory management of critical consumable materials that enable uninterrupted production operations.
The ideal candidate combines strong purchasing and planning expertise with the ability to analyze demand, manage supplier relationships, and support manufacturing in a fast-paced environment. Experience procuring chemicals, wet consumables, packaging materials, and plastics within a life sciences or regulated manufacturing setting is highly preferred.
This is an excellent opportunity for a hands-on supply chain professional who enjoys ownership, cross-functional collaboration, and driving operational excellence.
Key Responsibilities
- Manage procurement and material planning activities for consumables, including:
- Wet chemicals
- Organic materials
- Packaging components
- Plastics and production supplies
- Ensure material availability to support manufacturing schedules and production continuity.
- Create, manage, and monitor purchase orders from requisition through receipt within NetSuite ERP.
- Analyze inventory levels, demand forecasts, lead times, and consumption trends to optimize supply levels.
- Interpret technical specifications, chemical descriptions, and unit-of-measure requirements to ensure accurate purchasing and inventory control.
- Maintain strong relationships with domestic and international suppliers while ensuring timely delivery and issue resolution.
- Collaborate closely with Manufacturing, Operations, and Supply Chain teams to align purchasing activities with production requirements.
- Monitor supplier performance, shipment status, and material risks to proactively mitigate supply disruptions.
- Utilize advanced Excel tools, including PivotTables and VLOOKUP/XLOOKUP functions, to analyze procurement and inventory data.
- Support demand planning, inventory replenishment, and materials forecasting processes.
- Identify opportunities to improve purchasing efficiency, inventory performance, and supply chain processes.
- Ensure compliance with internal purchasing procedures, ERP transaction requirements, and inventory controls.
Required Qualifications
- 5+ years of experience in purchasing, procurement, supply planning, materials planning, or buyer/planner roles.
- Experience supporting a manufacturing environment within the life sciences, biotech, diagnostics, pharmaceutical, or related industry.
- Hands-on procurement experience with consumables, chemicals, organic materials, packaging, and/or plastics.
- Strong understanding of inventory management, demand planning, and material replenishment processes.
- Experience managing supplier relationships and coordinating with domestic and international vendors.
- Ability to interpret technical product specifications and chemical material descriptions.
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with a data-driven approach to decision-making.
- Advanced Microsoft Excel skills, including PivotTables, VLOOKUPs, and data analysis functions.
- Experience working within an ERP system; NetSuite experience strongly preferred.
- Excellent communication and cross-functional collaboration skills.
- Ability to work independently in a fast-paced environment with minimal supervision.
- Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain, Business, Operations, Chemistry, Life Sciences, or a related field preferred.
Preferred Qualifications
- Direct experience purchasing chemicals, wet consumables, or laboratory/manufacturing materials.
- Exposure to life sciences organizations supporting molecular diagnostics, sequencing, biotechnology, or related manufacturing operations.
- Knowledge of organic chemistry terminology and chemical supply chains.
- Experience supporting lean manufacturing or high-performance supply chain organizations.
- Experience with international sourcing and supplier coordination.
- Master's degree or advanced professional certifications in Supply Chain, Operations, or related disciplines.
Why Join Us?
- Opportunity to make an immediate impact within a growing life sciences manufacturing organization.
- High-visibility role with ownership of critical procurement and planning activities.
- Collaborative and supportive supply chain team environment.
- Contract-to-hire opportunity with long-term career growth potential.
- Exposure to innovative products and advanced manufacturing operations.
Job Type & Location
This is a Contract position based out of San Diego, CA.
Pay and Benefits
The pay range for this position is $45.00 - $55.00/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 San Diego,CA.
Application Deadline
This position is anticipated to close on Aug 12, 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.