Purchasing Coordinator
Aston CarterJob Title: Purchasing Coordinator Job Description The Purchasing Coordinator plays a key role in ensuring accurate and efficient purchasing operations within a manufacturing environment. This position focuses on managing purchase orders, reconciling invoice and PO discrepancies, supporting inventory accuracy, and collaborating with cross-functional teams to maintain reliable product availability and drive process improvements. Responsibilities Identify discrepancies between invoices and purchase orders and work closely with accounts payable and accounts receivable teams to research and resolve issues. Review and reconcile purchase order and invoice variances to ensure accuracy and completeness of financial and purchasing records. Conduct nonconformance reports (NCRs) to identify, document, and address discrepancies in products or materials. Oversee product and material returns, including initiating, tracking, and following through until each return is fully resolved. Monitor and work through open purchase orders, proactively addressing past-due orders and ensuring timely follow-up. Process and manage purchase orders for assigned materials and suppliers, ensuring accuracy of quantities, pricing, and delivery requirements. Confirm supplier receipt of purchase orders and follow up on missing acknowledgments to maintain clear communication and alignment. Communicate with suppliers regarding pricing, product availability, order changes, delivery timing, and past-due materials to support smooth supply chain operations. Create purchase orders in the company ERP system and ensure all relevant details are entered accurately. Maintain accurate ERP data, including current costs, open and pending purchase orders, delivery dates, and supplier information. Review inventory levels, demand trends, lead times, and past purchasing activity to help support appropriate stock levels and avoid shortages or excess inventory. Assist with indirect purchasing for office, factory, and janitorial supplies as needed to support overall facility operations. Support inventory accuracy and product availability through diligent purchasing practices and coordination with operations and inventory teams. Provide purchasing support to multiple team members, flexing to assist wherever workload demands are highest. Collaborate with purchasing, accounting, operations, inventory, and other departments to resolve issues and ensure alignment on purchasing activities. Support cost-reduction and process-improvement initiatives by identifying opportunities to streamline purchasing processes and reduce waste. Participate in the monthly Sales, Inventory, and Operations Planning (SIOP) process and provide information related to customer and supplier trends as appropriate for assigned responsibilities. Essential Skills Several years of overall experience working in an office setting. At least 1 year of purchasing or supply chain experience. Experience working with purchase orders in a professional environment. Experience researching invoice or purchasing discrepancies and resolving issues. Experience coordinating with AP/AR or accounting teams to support reconciliation and payment processes. Experience managing returns or nonconforming materials in a manufacturing or supply chain setting. Exposure to nonconformance reports (NCRs) or nonconformance processes. Hands-on experience utilizing ERP software such as SAP, JD Edwards (JDE), QAD, or similar systems. Basic proficiency in Microsoft Excel for data entry, tracking, and simple analysis. Foundational knowledge of purchasing, procurement, and supply chain principles. Ability to manage multiple priorities, open purchase orders, and follow up on past-due items in a fast-paced environment. Additional Skills & Qualifications Experience with vendor management and maintaining strong supplier relationships. LEAN or process-improvement experience, with an interest in supporting continuous improvement initiatives. Exposure to internatio…