Job Title: BuyerJob DescriptionThe Buyer plays a key role on the Operations and Supply Chain team by ensuring the timely procurement of materials, components, and services to support engineering and manufacturing. This position actively participates in daily production activities, including Gemba walks and production meetings, and uses MRP/ERP systems to plan, place, and manage purchase orders. The Buyer collaborates closely with planning, purchasing, engineering, warehouse, and manufacturing teams to improve material flow, support lean initiatives, and drive continuous improvement across the supply chain.
Responsibilities
- Actively participate as a key member of the Operations and Supply Chain team, including daily Gemba walks and production meetings.
- Review detailed MRP planning data to determine material requirements and ensure clear material availability for work orders released to manufacturing.
- Create, issue, and manage purchase orders and purchase order releases to support engineering and production needs.
- Monitor and update purchase orders regularly to ensure on-time delivery of raw materials, components, and services.
- Assist with expediting purchase orders as required and maintain accurate expedite reports in coordination with suppliers.
- Work closely with planning, purchasing, engineering, warehouse, and manufacturing staff to support and drive continuous improvement initiatives.
- Collaborate with suppliers and internal stakeholders to implement visual ordering systems, such as Vendor Managed Inventory (VMI) or Kanban, where practical.
- Participate in lean and continuous improvement events and projects, including Value Stream Mapping and root cause analysis activities.
- Support the implementation and maintenance of MRP/ERP processes to improve data accuracy and material planning effectiveness.
- Ensure accurate data entry and maintenance of purchasing and material information within the ERP system.
- Partner with inventory and warehouse teams to align purchasing activities with inventory management and material handling practices.
- Communicate proactively with suppliers to resolve issues related to delivery, quality, and lead times.
- Support manufacturing operations by ensuring that materials for machining, sheet metal, composites, and other mechanical manufacturing processes are available as needed.
- Review and interpret basic engineering drawings and prints to understand dimensions, materials, and specifications for purchased components.
- Identify and escalate unusual or tight tolerances and special requirements that may affect sourcing, cost, or lead time.
- Contribute to lean manufacturing initiatives focused on reducing waste, improving flow, and optimizing inventory levels.
- Assist with logistics coordination related to inbound materials and, when needed, outbound shipments.
- Perform other duties as needed to support Operations and Supply Chain activities.
Essential Skills
- 3+ years of supply chain experience in a manufacturing environment.
- Hands-on experience with MRP and ERP systems to support purchasing and material planning.
- Experience with major ERP platforms such as SAP or Oracle, or comparable systems.
- Background in purchasing or procurement of raw materials, components, or engineered products.
- Familiarity with mechanical manufacturing environments such as machining operations, sheet metal, composites, or similar processes.
- Ability to review and interpret basic engineering drawings and prints, including dimensions, materials, and basic specifications.
- Strong attention to detail and accuracy, particularly when entering and maintaining data in ERP systems.
- Ability to manage a heavy workload and prioritize multiple purchasing and supply chain tasks effectively.
- Strong problem-solving skills and the ability to identify and address issues in material availability, lead times, and supplier performance.
- Effective communication skills for working with internal teams and external suppliers.
- Collaborative working style and ability to build positive relationships with cross-functional partners.
- Associate degree or bachelors degree, or equivalent combination of education and relevant experience.
Additional Skills & Qualifications
- Experience with Oracle Fusion Cloud is preferred.
- Exposure to or experience implementing lean manufacturing initiatives, such as Kanban and other visual ordering systems.
- Manufacturing engineering or lean manufacturing exposure is beneficial.
- Supply chain certifications such as Certified Supply Chain Professional (CSCP) or Certified in Planning and Inventory Management (CPIM) are a plus.
- Experience in inventory management and warehouse operations.
- Experience in industrial, machining, metal fabrication, mechanical manufacturing, or engineered-product purchasing is highly attractive.
- Ability to recognize reasonable versus unusual tolerances on engineering drawings over time.
- Experience supporting data centerrelated manufacturing or infrastructure is beneficial.
- Positive and energetic attitude, with the ability to stay focused in a dynamic environment.
- Comfort communicating with suppliers and representing the organization professionally.
- Demonstrated commitment to continuous improvement in supply chain and operations processes.
Work EnvironmentThe role is primarily based in an office environment with regular interaction in inventory and warehouse areas to support operations and supply chain activities. The Buyer works closely with planning, engineering, warehouse, and manufacturing teams across multiple facilities, supporting a growing organization with stable and expanding business lines, including data centerrelated growth. Daily work involves extensive use of MRP/ERP systems, such as SAP or Oracle, and collaboration with cross-functional stakeholders and suppliers. The environment emphasizes lean manufacturing, continuous improvement, and teamwork, with a culture that values detail orientation, accuracy, collaboration, and a positive, energetic approach to handling a high volume of work. Job Type & LocationThis is a Contract to Hire position based out of Billerica, MA. Pay and BenefitsThe pay range for this position is $40.00 - $50.00/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) Job Type & LocationThis is a Contract to Hire position based out of Billerica, MA. Application DeadlineThis position is anticipated to close on Nov 23, 2026. Workplace TypeThis is a fully onsite position in Billerica,MA.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.
