Associate Purchaser

About the role

Kent Scientific is seeking an Associate Purchaser to manage procurement and inventory operations at our Connecticut facility. This role involves hands-on tasks such as generating RFQs, managing vendor relationships, and supporting production schedules.

Responsibilities

• Procurement & Supplier Management
• Generate RFQs and POs, evaluate supplier quotes, and secure cost-effective materials
• Identify and source alternative vendors based on material needs and specifications
• Build and maintain strong vendor relationships for on-time delivery and cost awareness
• Monitor supplier performance and identify areas for cost savings and process improvements
• Obtain credits or replacements from vendors for incoming material discrepancies
• Production Planning & Scheduling
• Support Material Requirements Planning (MRP) and production scheduling
• Maintain the assembly order list and track low-stock items, consumption rates, and reorder quantities
• Coordinate with the Assembly Manager for prioritizing and expediting assemblies
• Identify and flag material shortages proactively
• Inventory Control & Optimization
• Support overall inventory management to balance availability and cost while minimizing excess stock
• Update Bills of Materials (BOMs) to reflect accurate production requirements and inventory pulls
• Perform and support cycle counting to ensure inventory accuracy and maintain optimal stock levels
• Design and implement a bin/location system to improve inventory organization
• Participate in annual physical inventory counts
• Process Improvement & Cross-Department Collaboration
• Work with Quality Assurance and Technical Resources to ensure incoming materials meet production standards
• Use Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central for planning and procurement processes
• Identify and contribute to continuous improvement efforts in purchasing and planning workflows
• Provide estimated times of arrival (ETAs) on sales orders to Sales and Customer Service teams
• Collaborate with Accounting for proper inventory flow and accounting treatment
• Team Support & Communication
• Collaborate with production, assembly, sales, and customer service teams
• Communicate clearly and proactively with stakeholders
• Contribute to the development of purchasing best practices and planning documentation

Requirements

• 1-2+ years of experience in procurement, inventory management, purchasing, or supply chain support, preferably in a manufacturing or assembly environment
• Experience with MRP/ERP systems, especially Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central
• Comfort reading and interpreting part specifications; some technical background in electronics, fittings, or mechanical assembly is beneficial
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel (pivot tables, VLOOKUP/XLOOKUP, and data organization)
• Strong attention to detail and proactive approach in a fast-paced, small business environment
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills
• A growth mindset and team-first attitude
• Familiarity with LEAN manufacturing principles (optional but preferred)

Qualifications

• Simple IRA with employer match
• Healthcare benefits package
• Tuition reimbursement or assistance
• PTO and paid holidays
• Team-building and professional development opportunities