Purchasing Specialist

Job Description

Job Description

Job Title: Purchasing Specialist

Job Description

This role supports a midsize distribution firm by managing imports, purchase orders, inventory replenishment, vendor communication, shipment tracking, and ERP transactions in a fast-paced distribution environment. The Purchasing Specialist ensures accurate and timely purchasing activities, maintains continuity of supply, and provides clear visibility of inbound shipments and inventory status to internal stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Review inventory levels and run reports to determine appropriate purchase order release quantities.
• Align purchase order releases with demand trends, customer forecasts, and production needs to maintain optimal stock levels.
• Maintain accurate purchase order data from creation through receipt, ensuring all information is current and correct.
• Monitor open purchase orders, identify delays or issues, and escalate concerns when necessary to maintain continuity of supply.
• Coordinate with vendors on product availability, lead times, and product readiness to support reliable replenishment.
• Track vendor delivery commitments and follow up regularly to keep orders on schedule.
• Support vendor onboarding by confirming product details and ensuring accurate vendor and item setup in the system.
• Assist in managing the direct import process by supporting documentation flow and coordinating with freight forwarders.
• Track inbound shipment status, including inbound freight, container schedules, and shipment milestones, and provide accurate visibility to internal departments.
• Assist with non-stock purchases by confirming vendor details, tracking shipment timelines, and escalating delays or issues to the Purchasing Manager.
• Assist with import documents, shipment details, and required filings to support compliant and timely imports.
• Enter, maintain, and track purchase orders from creation through receipt in the ERP system.
• Monitor open purchase orders and assist in releasing quantities based on inventory targets and operational needs.
• Expedite urgent or delayed orders to prevent stockouts and maintain service levels.
• Collaborate with vendors and the Purchasing Manager on pricing, ship dates, and quantity changes to optimize cost and availability.
• Coordinate with receiving to verify quantities of received items, build shipping receivers, and post receipts to inventory.
• Maintain accurate shipment and arrival information in Acumatica or other ERP systems.
• Help resolve discrepancies between purchase orders, packing lists, and inventory records by investigating and correcting data.
• Leverage ERP and reporting tools to support demand planning, replenishment analysis, and purchasing decisions.
• Communicate effectively with internal teams such as warehouse, logistics, and customer service to share updates on inbound shipments and inventory status.

Essential Skills

• 3+ years of experience supporting import logistics and shipment tracking preferred.
• Experience with inventory control, inventory management, and order management in a distribution or warehouse environment.
• Hands-on experience with ERP systems such as Accumatica, NetSuite, or NetStock, including purchase order entry and maintenance.
• Proficiency in vendor management, including communication on availability, lead times, and delivery commitments.
• Strong skills in purchase order administration from creation through receipt.
• Working knowledge of warehouse operations and inbound receiving processes.
• Experience with international shipments and inbound logistics, including documentation and coordination with freight forwarders.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel, including VLOOKUP and pivot tables, to run reports and analyze data.
• Ability to use Power BI or similar tools for reporting and analysis related to purchasing and inventory.
• Strong analytical skills to interpret demand trends, customer forecasts, and production needs for replenishment decisions.
• Attention to detail and accuracy when maintaining PO data, shipment information, and inventory records.
• Effective written and verbal communication skills for interacting with vendors and internal teams.
• Ability to manage multiple open purchase orders and prioritize tasks in a fast-paced environment.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience in a distribution environment handling imports, replenishment, and vendor communication.
• Industry experience in demand planning, logistics, and buyer or purchasing support roles.
• Familiarity with NetStock or similar inventory planning tools.
• Experience working with multiple ERP platforms, including Acumatica and NetSuite.
• Ability to interpret and work with import documents, shipment details, and related filings.
• Comfort using data visualization and reporting tools such as Power BI to support decision-making.
• Strong problem-solving skills to resolve discrepancies between purchase orders, packing lists, and inventory records.
• Organizational skills to support vendor onboarding and accurate product setup.
• Capability to support non-stock purchasing, including special orders and one-time buys.

Work Environment

This position is 100% onsite in Kent, Washington, working an 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. shift. The role operates in a distribution and warehouse-focused environment, collaborating closely with purchasing, logistics, and warehouse teams. You will work extensively with ERP systems such as Acumatica, NetSuite, and NetStock, as well as tools like Excel and Power BI, to manage purchase orders, inventory, and inbound shipments. The environment emphasizes accuracy, collaboration, and timely communication around inbound freight, container schedules, and receiving activities. As a full-time employee, you will have access to a comprehensive benefits package that includes medical, dental, and vision insurance, company-paid long-term disability and life insurance, an employee assistance program, voluntary supplemental benefits, a 401(k) plan with employer match, paid vacation and sick time, seven paid holidays, an annual incentive plan, and an employee product discount.

We reserve the right to pay above or below the posted wage based on factors unrelated to sex, race, or any other protected classification.

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. This temporary role may be eligible for the following:

• Medical, Dental & Vision
• 401(k)/Roth
• Basic/Supplemental Life & AD&D
• Short and long-term disability
• HSA & DCFSA
• Transportation benefits
• Employee Assistance Program
• Company Paid Time off or State Sick Leave

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Kent, WA.

The pay range for this position is $30.00 - $34.00/hr.

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)

This is a fully onsite position in Kent,WA.

This position is anticipated to close on Aug 17, 2026.

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 View email address on ziprecruiter.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.