Purchasing Associate

Aston Carter • Riverside, CA

1d • $28 - $34 • Onsite

About The Position

The Purchasing Associate works in a manufacturing environment, supporting supply chain and purchasing activities, initially focused on indirect purchasing with potential to transition to direct purchasing of raw materials. The role involves procurement, supplier management, cost optimization, inventory control, and purchasing data analysis. The associate works with a large transit-bus manufacturer and collaborates with purchasing, operations, engineering, and production teams. The position is contract to hire and fully onsite in Riverside, California, Monday through Friday, 6:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., with opportunities for overtime. The role involves frequent walking on the production floor and requires protective shoes. The work environment is busy and dynamic, with evolving business processes, an ongoing ERP implementation, and increased workload from recently awarded projects.

Requirements

• At least 2 years of experience in a purchasing or expeditor role.
• Experience in the automotive or aerospace industry.
• Intermediate to advanced Excel skills, including pivot tables, VLOOKUP, and formulas.
• Experience with ERP systems; Epicor is preferred, and experience with other systems is acceptable.
• Understanding of supply chain operations, contracts, and supplier performance metrics.

Nice To Haves

• Experience with purchase orders and RFQ processing.
• Pricing negotiation skills.
• Experience with both direct and indirect purchasing.
• Bilingual Mandarin skills.
• Experience with ERP implementation.
• Adaptability to change and a growth mindset.

Responsibilities

• Procure materials to achieve optimal cost, quality, and delivery.
• Negotiate contracts and manage supplier performance to achieve best value and schedule alignment.
• Oversee the RFQ process, procurement awards, purchase order creation, and goods receipt management.
• Analyze pricing to meet cost objectives and budgets.
• Ensure suppliers meet delivery schedules and address performance issues promptly to avoid delays.
• Maintain corporate records and ensure compliance with Non-Disclosure Agreements, export compliance, and contracts.
• Ensure suppliers and contractors meet project timelines.
• Use advanced Excel tools and ERP/MRP systems to analyze procurement data and provide actionable insights.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision coverage, subject to eligibility.
• Critical illness, accident, and hospital coverage, subject to eligibility.
• 401(k) retirement plan with pre-tax and Roth post-tax contribution options, subject to eligibility.
• Voluntary life and AD&D insurance for employees and dependents, subject to eligibility.
• Short- and long-term disability coverage, subject to eligibility.
• Health Spending Account (HSA), subject to eligibility.
• Transportation benefits, subject to eligibility.
• Employee Assistance Program, subject to eligibility.
• Time off or leave, including PTO, vacation, or sick leave, subject to eligibility.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed