Supply Chain Associate

Hiring a Junior Mechanical Commodity Manager – Hardware & Metals for a large tech company in North Reading! Job Description This entry-level role serves as a foundational member of the procurement and supply chain team, focused on mechanical hardware and metals commodities. You will support day-to-day supply chain operations, including supplier research, quote management, purchase order execution, and performance tracking, while working closely with experienced commodity managers. The position offers hands-on exposure to the full procurement lifecycle and provides strong development in supplier relationship management, cost analysis, and supply chain problem-solving. The primary focus includes support for GA, sustaining, and KTLO programs as well as Agile and ECO management, making this an excellent opportunity to build a career in commodity management within a cutting-edge robotics supply chain environment. Responsibilities • Support daily supply chain and procurement operations for hardware and metals commodities under the guidance of senior commodity managers. • Focus on GA, sustaining, and KTLO programs and assist with Agile and ECO management activities. • Maintain and update supplier contact databases and procurement records to ensure accurate and current information. • Create and organize purchase requisitions in procurement and ERP systems, ensuring completeness and accuracy. • Track purchase order status, update internal tracking spreadsheets, and communicate status to relevant stakeholders. • File and organize supplier documentation, including certifications, agreements, quotes, and other key records. • Prepare basic reports and presentations for team meetings to support decision-making and performance reviews. • Send routine emails to suppliers requesting quotes, delivery updates, and required documentation. • Follow up on outstanding purchase orders and delivery confirmations to ensure on-time delivery of components. • Coordinate sample requests and shipments between suppliers and engineering teams to support development and validation activities. • Assist in scheduling supplier calls, attend meetings, and capture detailed meeting notes and action items. • Respond to basic supplier inquiries under supervision, escalating complex issues to senior team members as needed. • Use Microsoft Excel to create simple pivot tables and charts for spend analysis and basic data visualization. • Track and report on-time delivery metrics by supplier and compile supplier performance data for monthly reviews. • Help maintain pricing databases and cost comparison spreadsheets to support cost analysis and sourcing decisions. • Generate basic spend reports by category or supplier to support procurement planning and strategy. • Research potential new suppliers online and compile contact information and capability summaries. • Gather industry pricing benchmarks from public sources and compile competitive intelligence on commodity trends. • Create comparison matrices for supplier capabilities and research material specifications and industry standards. • Shadow senior commodity managers during supplier negotiations to learn negotiation strategies and best practices. • Participate in cross-functional team meetings as a note-taker and share notes with stakeholders. • Help document standard operating procedures for procurement and commodity management processes. • Assist with RFQ (Request for Quote) package preparation, including data collection and document organization. • Support supplier onboarding activities by collecting required documentation and ensuring compliance with internal requirements. • Track supplier quality metrics and flag issues to senior team members for further investigation. • Help organize supplier audit schedules and maintain audit-related documentation. • Maintain compliance checklists for supplier certifications and update records as new documentation is received. • Assist in collecting corrective action responses from suppliers and ensure they are properly documented. • Update quality scorecards with data provided by quality and engineering teams. • Support cost reduction initiatives by gathering data, quotes, and supporting documentation. • Assist with supplier consolidation projects, including data collection and status tracking. • Help track savings opportunities identified by the team and maintain simple project status trackers in Excel. • Participate in cross-functional project meetings related to supply chain, procurement, and cost improvement initiatives. • Complete internal training on procurement systems, ERP tools, and company policies. • Learn company-specific commodity strategies and supplier base, including key metals and hardware suppliers. • Attend supplier visits and manufacturing site tours to gain a deeper understanding of production processes and supply chain flows. • Participate in professional development workshops to build business, analytical, and procurement skills. • Build knowledge of technical specifications for assigned commodities and apply this knowledge to supplier and sourcing decisions. • Perform basic demand-supply analysis for components to identify needed items and propose ways to address gaps. Essential Skills • Proficiency with Microsoft Excel, including the ability to create simple pivot tables and charts for basic data analysis. • Experience or familiarity with ERP systems, preferably Oracle, for managing purchase requisitions and purchase orders. • Foundational business data and analytics skills, including the ability to track, organize, and interpret procurement and supply chain data. • Demonstrated interest or experience in purchasing, procurement, or supply chain operations. • Basic understanding of commodity management concepts, particularly for mechanical hardware and metals. • Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple tasks, records, and deadlines accurately. • High attention to detail when working with supplier data, purchase orders, and documentation. • Effective written and verbal communication skills for interacting with suppliers and internal stakeholders via email, calls, and meetings. • Ability to perform basic cost and spend analysis using spreadsheets and structured data. • Willingness and ability to learn procurement systems, company policies, commodity strategies, and technical specifications. • Commitment to following established processes and supporting quality and compliance requirements. Additional Skills & Qualifications • Interest in or exposure to robotics supply chain, mechanical components, or metals commodities. • Experience supporting supplier management, including communication, follow-up, and coordination of documentation. • Background or coursework in supply chain management, business, engineering, or a related field. • Familiarity with RFQ processes, supplier onboarding, and basic contract or certification documentation. • Ability to create clear reports, presentations, and status trackers for stakeholders using Excel and standard office tools. • Experience participating in cross-functional projects or teams, particularly involving engineering, quality, or operations. • Motivation to grow into more strategic commodity management responsibilities over time. • Interest in professional development through workshops, training, and mentorship. • Comfort working in a structured environment with standard operating procedures and compliance requirements. Work Environment This role operates within a robotics supply chain business group, offering exposure to a cutting-edge industry and advanced procurement practices. The standard schedule is Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., providing a consistent daytime work routine. You will use tools such as Microsoft Excel, ERP systems (including Oracle), and internal procurement platforms to manage data, purchase orders, and supplier information. The environment emphasizes collaboration with cross-functional teams, including engineering, quality, and operations, and involves regular interaction with external suppliers via email, calls, and virtual or in-person meetings. The position is structured as a temporary role with a strong likelihood of extension and the possibility of conversion to a full-time opportunity, making it an attractive option for building your resume and gaining hands-on experience in a high-growth, technology-driven setting. Job Type & Location This is a Contract position based out of North Reading, MA. Pay And Benefits The pay range for this position is $37.00 - $39.00/hr. Requirements 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 North Reading,MA. Application Deadline This position is anticipated to close on Jun 19, 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.