Purchasing Associate

Job Title: Purchasing Associate

Job Description

The Purchasing Associate supports all departments by sourcing and purchasing business materials and supplies, ensuring they are ordered accurately, delivered on time, and obtained at the most competitive pricing. This role plays a key part in maintaining smooth operations across the organization by managing purchase orders, coordinating shipments, and communicating with vendors and internal teams.

Responsibilities

• Create and issue purchase orders to vendors for supplies and materials, ensuring accuracy in quantities, pricing, and delivery details.

• Send purchase orders to vendors and maintain a calendar of delivery dates and follow-up dates for all orders.

• Communicate with vendors by email and phone to confirm purchase order details, resolve questions, and follow up on outstanding orders.

• Respond promptly to emails from Customer Service regarding purchase orders and sales order combinations, ensuring alignment between purchasing and customer commitments.

• Review purchase orders regularly, update notes, and calendar check-back dates to monitor order status and ensure timely delivery.

• Authorize payments for purchases and maintain accurate receipts, records, and inventory documentation.

• Seek necessary approvals for purchase orders to be taken off hold and received, following internal procedures and controls.

• Coordinate shipments to and from vendors, including preparing and managing all required paperwork and documentation.

• Communicate product availability details to Inventory and Production teams to support planning and scheduling.

• Coordinate the pick-up and delivery of shipments to ensure they occur in a timely and efficient manner.

• Alert vendors to any issues with shipments or components and arrange for replacements, rework, or credits as appropriate.

• Conduct monthly check-ins on standing orders to ensure release dates are on track and make adjustments when needed.

• Source supplies and materials by comparing vendors, pricing, and availability to secure optimal terms.

• Track open orders, deliveries, and product availability to maintain clear visibility of purchasing activities.

• Handle returns, replacement requests, rework requests, and vendor credits in coordination with internal stakeholders.

• Support internal stakeholders across HR, Manufacturing, Warehouse, IT, Customer Service, and other departments with purchasing-related needs.

• Perform other duties and projects as assigned to support the purchasing function and overall business operations.

Essential Skills

• Minimum of 1 year of purchasing experience or at least 3 years of general administrative experience.

• Strong verbal and written communication skills for effective interaction with vendors and internal teams.

• High school-level math and statistical skills to manage pricing, quantities, and basic calculations.

• High proficiency in PC software, including Microsoft Office, Word, and advanced Excel skills.

• Ability to create and issue accurate purchase orders.

• Ability to track open orders, deliveries, and product availability.

• Ability to coordinate shipments, pickups, and deliveries.

• Attention to detail, accuracy, and strong follow-through on tasks and commitments.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience in purchasing, inventory, or related administrative roles.

• Ability to source supplies and materials by comparing vendors and pricing.

• Skill in handling returns, replacements, rework requests, and vendor credits.

• Comfort working with ERP or purchasing systems to manage orders and inventory (if applicable).

• Ability to support multiple departments, including HR, Manufacturing, Warehouse, IT, and Customer Service.

• Strong organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple orders and deadlines.

• No specific certifications or licenses required for this role.

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract to Hire 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.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Sep 14, 2026.

About Aston Carter

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 click.appcast.io (%View email address on click.appcast.io) 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.