Purchasing Assistant

About the Role

This position supports the Purchasing function by assisting in purchase order development, vendor coordination, maintenance of item information, and the general procurement process.

Responsibilities

• Create purchase orders in the accounting software and place purchase orders with vendors; maintain reports showing status of purchase orders to ensure they are current.
• Develop an understanding of vendors through research and build profiles including items received, lead times, freight terms, and payment terms; create a vendor rating system.
• Establish and maintain a record-keeping system for the purchasing department.
• Understand current and future supply and demand balances.
• Match receiving reports with supplier invoices, resolve discrepancies with suppliers, and forward to Accounts Payable for payment.
• Match order confirmations with purchase orders, verify accuracy, attach, and file.
• Maintain files of purchase records and vendor files.
• Interface with suppliers regarding delivery dates, expedite orders when necessary, and update delivery dates in the computer daily.
• Identify opportunities for improved supplier pricing, quality, and/or delivery terms.
• Follow all company policies and procedures.

Requirements

• One-year certificate from college or technical school.
• Three to six months of related experience and/or training; or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Follow verbal and written instructions.
• Ability to learn purchasing procedures and policies.
• Effectively present information in one-on-one and small group situations to customers, clients, and other employees.
• Perform arithmetic operations: add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals.
• Compute rate, ratio, percent, dimensions, weights, conversions (including metric), and currency exchanges.
• Apply common sense understanding to carry out instructions furnished in written, oral, or diagram form.
• Knowledge of accounting software, contact management systems, inventory software, order processing systems, spreadsheet, and word processing software.
• Proficient with Microsoft Office 365 Suite or related software.
• Ability to read drawings is helpful.

Skills

• Communication Proficiency
• Accuracy/Quality
• Planning/Organizing
• Interpersonal Skills

Physical Demands and Work Environment

• Occasionally required to stand or walk.
• Continually required to sit and work on a computer.
• Continually required to utilize hand and finger dexterity.
• Frequently required to talk or hear.
• Must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.
• Occasionally required to drive.

Pay

$22–$25 hourly wage.