Purchasing Assistant

Cherokee Brick•Macon, GA

24d•$18 - $25•Onsite

About The Position

The Purchasing Agent purchases maintenance parts, production supplies, raw materials, tools, equipment, and other materials required for plant operations. The role manages storeroom inventory, receiving, purchase orders, invoice processing, and inventory accuracy to prevent shortages and minimize unnecessary spending. It works closely with Maintenance, Production, plant leadership, and the Corporate Purchasing and Accounting teams at Cherokee Brick & Tile Company's corporate location in Macon, Georgia. The office is located within the plant storeroom, and the position requires regular movement throughout inventory storage areas and the plant. The successful candidate develops a working knowledge of plant equipment, machinery, manufacturing processes, and maintenance operations to make informed purchasing decisions, identify appropriate replacement parts, and maintain accurate inventory records. Inventory accuracy is maintained throughout the year through regular cycle counts, audits, and reconciliation in preparation for the annual physical inventory each September. The position serves as the primary purchasing and inventory contact for the Jackson plant and may travel to Macon for training, collaboration, inventory support, system updates, and special projects. The role is scheduled for day shift, Monday through Friday, 7:00 AM–4:00 PM. Weekend, holiday, and overtime work may be required based on operational needs, and additional hours may be necessary during annual inventory, plant shutdowns, or special projects. Work schedules may vary based on business needs. The position operates in a combination office, storeroom, inventory storage, and industrial manufacturing environment, with exposure to dust, noise, forklifts, moving equipment, and manufacturing operations. Required PPE must be worn in designated areas. The selected applicant must successfully complete a post-offer drug and/or alcohol test as a condition of employment. Cherokee Brick & Tile Company is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities in accordance with the ADA.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED required.
Two to five years of purchasing and inventory control experience required.
Experience with purchasing, inventory control, receiving, and storeroom operations.
Working knowledge of purchasing, inventory management, receiving, and basic accounting principles.
Ability to accurately code invoices and assign purchases to the appropriate general ledger accounts and cost centers.
Ability to reconcile purchase orders, receiving documentation, invoices, and inventory records.
Proficiency with Microsoft Office.
Strong mathematical, analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
Ability to learn plant equipment, machinery, manufacturing processes, and maintenance operations.
Ability to research unfamiliar parts, verify compatibility, identify alternatives, and anticipate purchasing needs.
Strong attention to detail and commitment to inventory accuracy.
Effective communication and interpersonal skills when working with vendors, plant employees, supervisors, and corporate teams.
Ability to manage multiple priorities, meet deadlines, and resolve issues promptly.
Demonstrated integrity, accountability, professionalism, cost-consciousness, and commitment to continuous improvement.
Ability to stand and walk for extended periods throughout the storeroom, office, and plant inventory storage areas.
Ability to frequently reach, bend, stoop, kneel, crouch, squat, twist, and climb stairs.
Ability to lift and carry materials weighing up to 50 pounds frequently and up to 100 pounds occasionally with assistance when necessary.
Ability to frequently push, pull, and handle inventory, parts, tools, equipment, and supplies.
Ability to use hands and fingers to handle inventory and operate computers, barcode scanners, and office equipment.
Ability to visually inspect inventory, equipment, labels, and materials for accuracy.
Ability to operate forklifts and other material-handling equipment after completing required training and certification.
Ability to wear required personal protective equipment in designated work areas.
Ability to perform the essential functions of the position, with or without reasonable accommodation.
Must successfully complete a post-offer drug and/or alcohol test as a condition of employment.

Nice To Haves

Manufacturing or industrial experience is strongly preferred.
Experience with AS400 or similar inventory and accounting software is preferred.
Forklift experience is preferred.
An equivalent combination of education, training, and experience will be considered.

Responsibilities

Purchase maintenance parts, production supplies, raw materials, tools, equipment, and other materials required for plant operations.
Obtain and compare vendor pricing, quotes, availability, quality, and delivery schedules.
Establish and maintain positive relationships with vendors and suppliers.
Create and process purchase orders using the AS400 system.
Receive, inspect, verify, and document incoming shipments.
Organize, label, secure, and maintain inventory in the storeroom and other designated storage locations.
Issue inventory to employees and accurately record transactions, including the appropriate department, equipment, project, or general ledger account.
Monitor inventory levels and reorder materials before shortages affect production or maintenance.
Conduct weekly raw material inventory counts, track usage, and communicate inventory levels and delivery needs to plant management.
Perform routine cycle counts, inventory audits, and reconciliations throughout the year.
Investigate and resolve inventory discrepancies and maintain accurate records in preparation for the annual physical inventory each September.
Develop a working knowledge of plant equipment, machinery, manufacturing processes, and maintenance operations.
Research replacement parts, verify compatibility, identify acceptable alternatives, and coordinate with Maintenance regarding critical spare parts and future needs.
Review vendor invoices against purchase orders and receiving documentation for accuracy.
Code invoices, assign purchases to the appropriate general ledger accounts and cost centers, and enter invoices into AS400 accurately and timely.
Work with Corporate Accounting to resolve invoice discrepancies, pricing issues, receiving concerns, vendor questions, and coding issues.
Maintain accurate purchasing, receiving, inventory, and accounting documentation.
Monitor inventory costs and identify opportunities to improve inventory control, reduce waste, and control expenses.
Communicate purchasing delays, inventory shortages, and critical material concerns to supervisors and plant management.
Coordinate with the Corporate Purchasing and Accounting teams to maintain consistent purchasing, inventory, receiving, and accounting practices.
Serve as the primary purchasing and inventory contact for the Jackson plant.
Travel to the corporate location in Macon, Georgia, as needed for training, collaboration, inventory support, system updates, and special projects.
Perform other duties as assigned to support plant operations.
Follow all company safety policies and procedures, complete required safety training, wear required PPE, report unsafe conditions, incidents, or injuries, and participate in safety meetings.
Take ownership of assigned responsibilities and follow tasks through to completion; communicate promptly regarding shortages, delays, discrepancies, and issues affecting plant operations.
Identify opportunities to improve purchasing practices, inventory accuracy, cost control, and operational efficiency.