Job Description
Job Description
Job Title: Buyer (Contractor)
Job Description
This Buyer (Contractor) role supports the full procure-to-pay cycle for a research and development organization focused on advancing the understanding of human aging. You manage supplier interactions, purchasing activities, and related financial processes while partnering closely with laboratory and finance teams. You contribute to operational efficiency by analyzing spend, maintaining contract records, and helping improve procurement processes and systems across the organization.
Responsibilities
- Support the end-to-end procure-to-pay process, including supplier onboarding, quote management, price negotiation, purchase order creation, order tracking, and invoice support.
- Manage day-to-day purchasing activities to ensure timely and accurate procurement of goods and services for laboratory and business operations.
- Coordinate supplier onboarding by collecting required information, ensuring compliance with internal policies, and setting up suppliers in procurement and ERP systems.
- Obtain and evaluate supplier quotes, negotiate pricing and terms, and recommend optimal sourcing decisions based on cost, quality, and service.
- Create, review, and process purchase orders in alignment with budget, contract terms, and organizational policies.
- Track open orders, monitor delivery status, and proactively resolve issues related to delays, discrepancies, or quality concerns.
- Provide invoice support by resolving mismatches between purchase orders, receipts, and invoices, and collaborating with finance to ensure timely payment.
- Deliver analytical support to laboratory and finance teams through reporting and spend analysis, highlighting trends, cost-saving opportunities, and compliance with agreements.
- Maintain contract archives and ensure that purchasing activities align with existing contracts and negotiated terms.
- Monitor and help track spending against existing agreements, identifying variances and recommending corrective actions when needed.
- Train employees on procurement systems, tools, and processes to promote consistent and efficient use across the organization.
- Collaborate with internal stakeholders to continuously improve procurement workflows, policies, and operational efficiency.
- Provide excellent customer service to internal teams and external suppliers by responding promptly to inquiries and resolving procurement-related issues.
- Work independently with limited supervision, demonstrating strong ownership of procurement tasks and responsibilities.
- Uphold high standards of integrity in all purchasing and supplier interactions, ensuring ethical and compliant procurement practices.
Essential Skills
- Bachelor’s degree.
- 5+ years of procurement experience, preferably in a biotech or similar scientific environment.
- Hands-on experience in supply chain, buying, purchasing, and procurement activities.
- Familiarity with ERP systems used to manage purchasing and supplier data.
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, including the ability to perform reporting and spend analysis.
- Excellent customer service skills with a focus on supporting internal stakeholders and suppliers.
- Ability to work independently with limited supervision while managing multiple priorities.
- Strong integrity and ownership mindset, taking responsibility for procurement outcomes and process improvements.
Additional Skills & Qualifications
- Experience with Coupa or similar procurement platforms.
- Experience with Google Suite (Docs, Sheets, Slides, and related tools).
- Experience in biotech or life sciences procurement is highly desirable.
- Comfort collaborating with laboratory and finance teams in a research-focused environment.
Work Environment
This role operates in a dynamic, research-driven environment that supports laboratory and corporate functions. You work extensively with digital tools such as ERP systems, procurement platforms like Coupa, and productivity tools within Google Suite. The position follows an on-site schedule with a rotating pattern of three days in the office and one day out, transitioning to a schedule of four days in the office and one day out during training. The culture emphasizes integrity, ownership, collaboration, and continuous improvement, with a strong focus on enabling efficient and compliant procurement processes that support scientific innovation.
Job Type & Location
This is a Contract position based out of South San Francisco, CA.
Pay and Benefits
The pay range for this position is $55.00 - $60.00/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 hybrid position in South San Francisco,CA.
Application Deadline
This position is anticipated to close on Sep 11, 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.