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AC
Aston Carter
Purchasing Associate
Career Insights for Buyer (General)
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What they do
A Buyer buys products, materials or services needed by a company or organization. Manages inventory and schedule for purchasing, works with vendors and negotiates contracts, monitors quality of supplies and services purchased. May work in farm products, manufacturing, trade or services industries.
$63,796 / year median in the U.S.
-5% projected decline
Job Description
Purchasing Associate About the Role We are seeking a detail-oriented and proactive Purchasing Associate to support company-wide purchasing operations. In this role, you will be responsible for sourcing materials and supplies, managing purchase orders, maintaining vendor relationships, coordinating shipments, and ensuring accurate inventory records. You will work closely with teams across Manufacturing, Warehouse, IT, Customer Service, HR, and other departments to help keep business operations running efficiently. Key Responsibilities Create, review, and issue purchase orders, ensuring accuracy in pricing, quantities, and product specifications. Track purchase orders from placement through delivery and follow up with vendors to ensure timely receipt of materials. Communicate regularly with vendors regarding order status, confirmations, changes, lead times, and delivery schedules. Coordinate with Customer Service and internal teams to support order fulfillment and inventory availability. Maintain accurate purchasing records, receipts, approvals, and inventory documentation. Monitor open orders, delivery schedules, and standing orders to ensure materials are available when needed. Arrange incoming and outgoing shipments, including carrier coordination and shipment documentation. Resolve vendor-related issues, including shipment discrepancies, returns, replacements, credits, and rework requests. Source products and supplies by evaluating vendors, pricing, quality, and delivery terms to achieve the best value. Support inventory management by communicating product availability and delivery timelines to stakeholders. Collaborate with cross-functional departments to fulfill purchasing needs and support business objectives. Perform additional purchasing and administrative duties as assigned. Required Qualifications Minimum 1 year of purchasing experience or 3+ years of administrative support experience. Strong written and verbal communication skills. Proficiency with Microsoft Office, including Word and Excel. Ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment. Strong attention to detail and accuracy in data entry, recordkeeping, and documentation. Excellent organizational, problem-solving, and follow-up skills. Basic math skills with the ability to review pricing, quantities, and purchasing data. Preferred Qualifications Experience with purchase order processing and ERP systems. Background in purchasing, procurement, inventory control, supply chain, or office administration. Experience working with vendors, freight carriers, and shipment coordination. Advanced Excel skills, including tracking, reporting, and data analysis. Knowledge of inventory management and purchasing best practices. Work Environment This position operates in a professional office environment and requires frequent interaction with vendors and internal stakeholders through email, phone, and business systems. The ideal candidate thrives in a fast-paced setting, is highly organized, and can effectively manage multiple tasks while maintaining a high level of accuracy and customer service. Occasional overtime or weekend work may be required to support business needs and time-sensitive orders. Why Join Us? Collaborative and team-oriented culture Opportunity to work cross-functionally with multiple departments Hands-on involvement in operations and supply chain activities Growth and development opportunities within a dynamic organization Stable, full-time position with meaningful impact on daily business operations Job Type & Location This is a Contract position based out of Oceanside, CA. Pay and Benefits The pay range for this position is $25.00 - $28.00/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) Workplace Type This is a fully onsite position in Oceanside,CA.