Purchasing Associate

Buyer / Purchasing Associate: Student Position (Part-Time) IED Group | Santa Ana, CA | On-site | [Part-Time / Internship] |$20/hour About IED Group - ------------ IED Group is an AS9100-certified electronics contract manufacturer in Santa Ana. We build printed circuit board assemblies (PCBAs) on multiple SMT lines for commercial, aerospace, and defense customers. Every board that leaves our building starts with a purchasing team that finds, buys, and delivers thousands of parts on time. We're looking for a student who wants to learn how that works. Why This Role? This isn't a coffee-and-copies internship. You'll work alongside our buyers and production team and see how a real electronics factory runs. You'll build skills that carry over into supply chain, operations, engineering, or business. What You'll Learn Contract manufacturing operations: How a customer order moves through quoting, purchasing, kitting, SMT assembly, inspection, and shipping. Electronic components: Resistors, capacitors, ICs, connectors, and more. You'll learn how to read part numbers, package types, and datasheets. Bills of Materials (BOMs): How to read, scrub, and check a BOM against the customer's design, and how to spot obsolete, long-lead, or mismatched parts. Schematics and assembly drawings: How to read a schematic and see how each part on the BOM fits into the finished board. Supply chain and sourcing: Working with franchised distributors and suppliers, comparing price and lead time, and handling shortages. ERP/MRP systems: How purchase orders, inventory, and material planning are managed in a manufacturing system. Aerospace quality and compliance: The basics of AS9100 quality standards, supplier approval, part traceability, and ITAR export controls. Negotiation and communication: How to talk with suppliers, follow up on orders, and keep production supplied. What You'll Do Help buyers create and track purchase orders Review customer BOMs and check component availability and pricing Request quotes from suppliers and compare options Follow up with vendors on delivery dates and update order status Help find shortages and suggest approved alternate parts Keep purchasing records and supplier documents organized and accurate Work with production, receiving, and quality to keep jobs on schedule Who We're Looking For Currently enrolled in college, pursuing a degree in Supply Chain Management, Business, Industrial or Electrical Engineering, Operations, or a related field Organized, detail-oriented, and comfortable handling many tasks at once Clear communicator by email and phone Comfortable with Excel (lookups, filters, and basic formulas are a plus) Curious about how things are made Able to work 20-30 hours per week on-site. We'll schedule around your classes. Nice to have (not required): coursework in electronics, supply chain, or accounting; experience with any ERP system; interest in aerospace or defense. Position Requirements This position requires access to technical data controlled under the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR). Applicants must be a U.S. person as defined by 22 CFR 120.62 (U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident, or protected individual). What We Offer Competitive hourly pay Flexible schedule built around your classes Hands-on training and mentorship from experienced buyers Real work experience in aerospace-grade electronics manufacturing Possible full-time role after graduation IED Group is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law #J-18808-Ljbffr IED GROUP