Buyer

Job Title: Buyer

Job Description

The Buyer supports the full purchasing lifecycle by creating and managing purchase orders, tracking supply chain activities after order entry, and ensuring materials arrive on time to support production. This role works closely with both domestic and international suppliers and serves as a key liaison between plant production teams and vendors to maintain accurate pricing, delivery schedules, and material availability in a low-volume, high-mix manufacturing environment.

Responsibilities

• Create, verify, and enter purchase orders into the ERP system for approved vendors, ensuring accuracy in quantities, pricing, and delivery dates.
• Monitor and track purchase orders after entry to ensure on-time delivery and resolve issues related to delays, shortages, or discrepancies.
• Interact regularly with foreign and domestic suppliers to confirm pricing, negotiate terms, and maintain up-to-date delivery schedules.
• Act as a liaison between plant production and suppliers to align material availability with production needs and resolve supply-related issues.
• Procure required materials by verifying specifications, reviewing requirements, and forwarding purchase orders to approved vendors.
• Utilize the ERP system (Business Central or similar MRP system) to manage purchasing activities, maintain accurate records, and support supply chain visibility.
• Use Excel and other tools to perform basic data analysis, track purchasing metrics, and support decision-making related to inventory and supply chain performance.
• Maintain strong relationships with suppliers through effective communication, negotiation, and follow-up.
• Collaborate with internal teams to support continuous improvement in purchasing processes and supply chain efficiency.
• Work independently with minimal supervision, prioritizing tasks and managing time effectively to meet deadlines and production requirements.
• Ensure a high level of accuracy and attention to detail in all purchasing documentation and communications.

Essential Skills

• A minimum of 2-5 years of buyer or purchasing experience, preferably in a low-volume, high-mix manufacturing environment.
• Experience purchasing SKUs for manufacturing operations.
• Hands-on experience with MRP or ERP systems; Microsoft Business Central is preferred.
• Basic proficiency in MS Excel, including use of formulas for purchasing and data analysis.
• Proficiency with MS Outlook and MS Word.
• Strong negotiation skills to secure favorable pricing, terms, and delivery conditions.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills for effective interaction with suppliers and internal teams.
• Ability to work productively with minimal supervision and operate as a self-starter.
• Ability to learn quickly and build on newly acquired knowledge.
• Strong attention to detail and accuracy in purchasing activities.
• Effective teamwork skills and the ability to collaborate across departments.
• Willingness and ability to travel minimally as required.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• APICS certification is a plus.
• Experience working in a global manufacturing organization is beneficial.
• Familiarity with supply chain and procurement best practices.
• Experience supporting real-world industrial applications such as fluid and wastewater systems is advantageous.

Work Environment

This is an onsite role in a manufacturing environment within a growing, global organization that focuses on real-world industrial applications such as fluid and wastewater systems. The culture is casual and collaborative, with a relaxed dress code where most employees wear jeans and sweatshirts. The position offers the potential to transition to a permanent role based on performance. Work involves regular use of ERP systems such as Microsoft Business Central, standard office software including MS Outlook, Word, and Excel, and close interaction with production and supply chain teams to support plant operations.

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of New Haven, CT.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $30.00 - $40.00/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 New Haven,CT.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Jul 16, 2026.

About Actalent

Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 20,000 consultants and 5,000 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be an Engineering News-Record (ENR) Top 500 Design Firm for our engineering design services and a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing 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 actalentaccommodation@actalentservices.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.