MRO/Purchasing Assistant

Job Description

Job Description

NABRICO Marine Products is a leading manufacturer of inland barges and marine products serving the U.S. inland waterway system. Our products support the transportation of essential commodities, including grain, coal, aggregates, petroleum products, fertilizers, and chemicals.

In addition to barge manufacturing, NABRICO is the largest U.S. manufacturer of fiberglass hopper barge covers and produces marine deck hardware, including hatches, castings, and winches used throughout the marine industry.

At NABRICO Marine Products, we value safety, teamwork, quality, and continuous improvement. We are committed to building a workforce that takes pride in its work and contributes to our continued success.

Position Summary

NABRICO Marine Products is seeking a detail-oriented, organized, and dependable  MRO/Purchasing Assistant to join our team in Ashland City, TN. In this role, you will support daily purchasing activities, assist with inventory management, and coordinate with vendors and internal departments to ensure materials, supplies, and equipment are available to support plant operations.

This position requires frequent communication and collaboration with supervisors, managers, and other departments throughout the organization to understand operational needs, coordinate purchasing requests, and provide updates on material availability and order status.

We are looking for someone who is proactive, comfortable managing multiple priorities, and able to build strong working relationships in a fast-paced manufacturing environment. The ideal candidate will demonstrate strong communication skills, attention to detail, and the ability to follow through on requests while supporting daily plant operations.

What You'll Do

• Assist with purchasing Maintenance, Repair, and Operations (MRO) supplies, materials, tools, and equipment needed to support daily plant operations.

• Maintain frequent communication with supervisors and managers across the organization to identify purchasing needs, address material requests, and provide timely updates.

• Build and maintain strong working relationships with plant leadership, maintenance, production, and other departments to support operational priorities.

• Prepare, enter, and track purchase orders to ensure timely delivery of materials and supplies.

• Communicate with vendors regarding pricing, product availability, order confirmations, and delivery schedules.

• Monitor outstanding purchase orders and proactively communicate delays, shortages, or other concerns to the appropriate supervisors and managers.

• Support inventory management by tracking stock levels, assisting with inventory counts, and identifying replenishment needs.

• Assist with obtaining vendor quotes, comparing pricing, and identifying cost-effective purchasing options.

• Maintain accurate purchasing records, vendor information, order documentation, and inventory transactions.

• Review packing slips, purchase orders, and invoices to help identify and resolve discrepancies.

• Assist with receiving and verifying incoming materials and supplies as needed.

• Support the MRO/Purchasing team with reporting, data entry, filing, and other administrative responsibilities.

• Help identify opportunities to improve purchasing processes, inventory accuracy, and overall operational efficiency.

• Follow company safety policies, purchasing procedures, and established operational guidelines.

• Perform additional duties as assigned to support purchasing and plant operations.

What We're Looking For

• High school diploma or GED required; additional education or training in business, purchasing, supply chain, or a related field preferred.

• Previous experience in purchasing, inventory management, administrative support, or a manufacturing environment preferred.

• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to work effectively with supervisors, managers, vendors, and employees at all levels of the organization.

• Ability to build positive working relationships, communicate updates clearly, and follow through on requests in a timely manner.

• Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple tasks and changing priorities.

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, particularly Excel, Outlook, and Word.

• Experience working with purchasing, inventory management, or ERP systems preferred.

• Strong attention to detail and accuracy when entering information, maintaining records, and processing orders.

• Basic mathematical skills and the ability to compare pricing, quantities, and purchasing information.

• Ability to work independently while contributing to a team-oriented environment.

• Strong problem-solving skills, initiative, and a willingness to learn new processes.

• Previous experience supporting maintenance or production operations is a plus.

Work Environment

• Primarily works in an office setting with occasional exposure to an active manufacturing environment.

• Regular interaction with supervisors, managers, and employees across production, maintenance, and other operational departments.

• May be required to visit production areas, maintenance departments, or inventory storage locations to coordinate purchasing needs and verify materials.

• Must be able to follow all established safety procedures and wear required personal protective equipment (PPE) when entering designated plant areas.

• Ability to sit, stand, walk, and perform general office duties throughout the workday.

• May occasionally assist with handling or moving materials within established safety guidelines.

MRN144