Job Title: Senior Project Buyer
Job Description
This Senior Project Buyer role supports hands-on purchasing with strategic supply chain responsibilities, focusing on sourcing construction materials and services, optimizing cost and quality, and strengthening supplier relationships. You will act as a key liaison between suppliers and internal project teams, helping to improve how materials are selected, purchased, and delivered across complex, high-visibility projects.
Responsibilities
- Source construction materials and services at optimal price, quality, and specifications to support project requirements.
- Prepare, issue, and manage purchase agreements and purchase orders, ensuring accuracy and completeness.
- Ensure suppliers comply with contractual terms, quality standards, delivery timelines, and other performance expectations.
- Track and communicate order status from placement through delivery, proactively addressing delays or issues.
- Manage returns and corrective actions for nonconforming products, coordinating with suppliers and internal stakeholders.
- Coordinate closely with suppliers to ensure timely delivery of materials to job sites and warehouses.
- Visit job sites to understand field needs, gather feedback, and identify opportunities to improve procurement processes.
- Lead and facilitate internal and external meetings related to procurement, supplier performance, and project needs.
- Act as the “eyes and ears” for supply chain execution, maintaining heavy interaction with project teams and field personnel.
- Build and maintain strong relationships with suppliers, project managers, field teams, and other internal partners.
- Collaborate with leadership to develop cost-effective purchasing strategies that reduce risk and support long-term business goals.
- Maintain, track, and analyze supplier performance data, including quality, spend, and trend analysis, to support decision-making.
- Identify, propose, and execute strategic procurement initiatives that drive efficiency, cost savings, and process improvement.
- Balance approximately 25–50% tactical purchasing and order management work with about 50% strategic collaboration, supplier management, and problem-solving activities.
- Support continuous improvement by challenging the status quo and recommending new approaches, tools, and processes.
- Utilize procurement and project tools to manage workflows, documentation, and reporting, ensuring data accuracy and transparency.
Essential Skills
- 4+ years of buying or procurement experience, preferably supporting construction or similarly complex project-based environments.
- Proven ability to manage end-to-end purchasing activities, including sourcing, negotiation, order placement, and supplier follow-up.
- Strong relationship-building skills with suppliers and internal teams across multiple levels and functions.
- Demonstrated comfort challenging the status quo and driving process improvements within procurement or supply chain.
- Highly resourceful, with a proactive, problem-solving mindset and a strong “do-er” mentality.
- Experience leading or running effective meetings with internal stakeholders and external suppliers.
- Ability and desire to grow into leadership or management responsibilities over time.
- Strong organizational and time management skills to balance tactical purchasing with strategic initiatives.
- Solid communication skills, both written and verbal, to clearly convey requirements, expectations, and updates.
- Comfort working in a fast-paced, project-driven environment with evolving priorities.
Additional Skills & Qualifications
- Experience with Oracle or similar ERP systems used for procurement, inventory, or financial management.
- Familiarity with Smartsheet, Microsoft Excel, and other procurement or project management tools.
- Prior leadership or indirect management experience, such as mentoring, coordinating, or guiding other team members.
- Exposure to AI tools or a strong interest in applying technology to improve procurement and supply chain processes.
- Exposure to construction projects, energy, infrastructure, or related industries.
- Interest in long-term career growth, including progression into management or specialized supply chain roles.
- Comfort working on high-visibility projects with complex stakeholder groups and evolving technical requirements.
Work Environment
The role operates within a large, modern office environment that supports a hybrid work schedule, with three days in the office and two days working from home each week. Team sizes vary by project scope, typically ranging from 1 to 7 team members, which provides exposure to different project types and collaboration styles. The culture emphasizes a work-hard, play-hard mindset, with frequent team outings and social activities, including group events such as dinners and game outings. The organization is family owned and private, with a strong focus on diversification, including expansion into energy and green hydrogen initiatives. Employees benefit from significant growth opportunities, with many teams, specializations, and titles available for career advancement as the business continues to expand headcount and project volume.
Job Type & LocationThis is a Contract to Hire position based out of Minneapolis, MN.
Pay and BenefitsThe pay range for this position is $40.00 - $60.09/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)
This is a hybrid position in Minneapolis,MN.
Application DeadlineThis position is anticipated to close on May 27, 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 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.
Posting ID: JP-006039537
