Purchasing Associate

Thompson Safety•Houston, TX

3d•$55,000 - $65,000

About The Position

The Purchasing Associate is responsible for accurately and promptly processing purchase orders and related purchasing activities for an assigned region. This administrative, detail-oriented role focuses on data accuracy, order processing, vendor communication, documentation, and follow-up. It supports purchasing operations rather than strategic sourcing or procurement. The role suits an organized person who is comfortable with repetitive transactional work, managing a high volume of requests, and completing tasks accurately and on time. There are no supervisory responsibilities.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED.
Exceptional attention to detail and data-entry accuracy.
Ability to perform repetitive, process-driven work consistently and accurately.
Ability to manage a high volume of transactions, requests, and follow-up items.
Strong organizational and time-management skills.
Strong written and verbal communication skills.
Comfort communicating with vendors and internal stakeholders regarding order status and discrepancies.
Ability to follow established processes and recognize when an issue requires escalation.
Proficiency in Microsoft Office and ability to quickly learn ERP, inventory, and purchasing systems.

Nice To Haves

Associate or bachelor's degree.
Previous experience in purchasing support, order entry, administrative operations, logistics, inventory, customer service, accounts payable, or another high-volume transactional environment.

Responsibilities

Create, process, and maintain purchase orders accurately and within established timelines.
Review purchasing requests for completeness and accuracy before processing.
Enter and maintain purchasing, vendor, item, pricing, and order information in company systems.
Monitor open purchase orders and follow up with vendors about order status, availability, backorders, shipping, and expected delivery dates.
Communicate order updates, delays, and purchasing issues to internal teams.
Research and resolve discrepancies involving pricing, quantities, invoices, shipments, and purchase orders.
Maintain accurate purchasing records and supporting documentation.
Follow established purchasing procedures, approval requirements, and company policies.
Coordinate with vendors and internal departments to ensure orders are processed and fulfilled correctly.
Assist with vendor setup, documentation, pricing updates, and other administrative purchasing functions.
Identify recurring order or vendor issues and escalate them appropriately.
Manage multiple requests and priorities while maintaining strong attention to detail.
Perform other duties as assigned.