Purchasing Assistant

Contech Engineered Solutions LLC • West Chester Township, OH

6d • Onsite

About The Position

Contech Engineered Solutions is seeking a detail-oriented and dependable Assistant Buyer to provide administrative and clerical support to the Purchasing Department in West Chester, Ohio. The role supports Buyers and the Department Manager by maintaining purchasing records and data, responding to routine requests from plants and vendors, and coordinating day-to-day purchasing activities. Local candidates only.

The position supports purchasing, inventory, accounting, and data-integrity activities. It includes obtaining and recording vendor bids, processing material requests and system triggers, preparing purchase orders for raw materials under established guidelines, monitoring inventory, tracking quality and delivery issues, and maintaining purchasing files. The Assistant Buyer also supports receiving and inventory transfers, invoice review, vendor documentation, and ERP and database maintenance. Questions or issues outside the role’s authority, including specification or regulatory questions and emergency purchase needs, are referred to a Buyer or the Manager.

Requirements

• Associate’s degree in Logistics, Supply Chain Management, or a related field.
• At least six months to one year of office, clerical, or purchasing experience.
• Attention to detail when reviewing invoices, purchase orders, requisitions, and other purchasing documents for compliance with policies and procedures.
• Basic knowledge of office procedures and business computer applications, including spreadsheet, database, and word-processing software.
• Willingness to learn purchasing practices, including ethics, standards, bid preparation, and competitive bidding procedures.
• Ability to collect and enter data accurately, perform arithmetic calculations, use common units of measure, and calculate discounts and shipping charges.
• Ability to prepare basic written reports and recognize the responsibilities and limits of assigned authority.
• Ability to maintain effective working relationships with vendors, management personnel, and coworkers.
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Office.

Nice To Haves

• Bachelor’s degree in Logistics, Supply Chain Management, or a related field.
• Ability to travel occasionally.
• Familiarity with J.D. Edwards or another ERP system.

Responsibilities

• Request written bids and telephone quotes from approved vendors and record pricing, payment terms, and delivery information.
• Respond to and process system triggers and plant requests for materials or information; escalate issues to a Buyer as needed, communicate order status and delivery expectations to internal customers, and coordinate with Contech Logistics.
• Prepare and issue raw-material purchase orders within established guidelines and as directed by a Buyer.
• Monitor stock on hand at supplier, subcontractor, and plant locations; report discrepancies and assist with physical inventory.
• Help track vendor quality and delivery issues and prepare supporting documentation for claims as directed.
• Support accounting and purchasing functions, including receiving products, virtually transferring inventory, reviewing invoices, and obtaining proof-of-delivery documents from vendors.
• Contact vendors for product, pricing, and delivery information; refer vendor concerns and emergency purchase needs to a Buyer or the Manager.
• Maintain accurate purchasing files and records using proper recordkeeping methods and procedures.
• Follow departmental purchasing policies and procedures; refer questions about specifications, including AASHTO and ASTM requirements, and other regulations to a Buyer or the Manager.
• Assist in monitoring data integrity in the ERP system, incoming EDI data, and Access databases; identify errors and help resolve them.
• Assist with entering new items and item/plant combinations into the ERP system in coordination with Cost Accounting, ensuring accurate descriptions.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Team-oriented environment emphasizing collaboration, innovation, and shared success.
• Opportunities to work alongside talented professionals and contribute to meaningful work.
• Support for employees’ professional goals and work-life balance.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: Associate degree