Purchasing Coordinator

Job Title: Purchasing CoordinatorJob DescriptionThe Purchasing Coordinator supports manufacturing operations by managing purchase orders, reconciling invoices, and maintaining accurate data in the ERP system. This role ensures timely and cost-effective procurement of materials, accurate inventory levels, and effective communication with suppliers and internal teams. The position offers hands-on exposure to purchasing, PO management, invoice reconciliation, ERP systems, Excel, and cross-functional collaboration within a manufacturing environment.

Responsibilities

• Identify discrepancies between invoices and purchase orders and work with accounts payable and accounts receivable teams to research and resolve issues.
• Review and reconcile purchase order and invoice variances to ensure accuracy and compliance with purchasing policies.
• Conduct nonconformance reports (NCRs) to identify, document, and address discrepancies in materials or documentation.
• Oversee product or material returns, including coordinating with suppliers and internal teams, and follow through until each return is fully resolved.
• Review and work through open purchase orders, addressing past-due orders and ensuring timely delivery of materials.
• Process and manage purchase orders for assigned materials and suppliers from creation through fulfillment.
• Confirm supplier receipt of purchase orders and follow up on missing acknowledgments to ensure orders are accepted and processed.
• Communicate regularly with suppliers regarding pricing, product availability, order changes, delivery timing, and past-due materials.
• Create purchase orders in the company ERP system and ensure that all entries are accurate and complete.
• 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 support appropriate stock levels and avoid stockouts or excess inventory.
• Assist with indirect purchasing for office, factory, and janitorial supplies as needed to support day-to-day operations.
• Support inventory accuracy and product availability by coordinating with inventory and operations teams.
• Provide purchasing support to multiple team members and assist wherever workload demands are highest.
• Collaborate closely with purchasing, accounting, operations, inventory, and other departments to resolve issues related to orders, invoices, and materials.
• Support cost-reduction and process-improvement initiatives within the purchasing and supply chain functions.
• Participate in the monthly Sales, Inventory, and Operations Planning (SIOP) process and provide information related to customer and supplier trends, as appropriate for assigned categories.

Essential Skills

• At least 3+ years of purchasing experience in the manufacturing sector, including hands-on work with purchase orders.
• Demonstrated experience working with purchase orders from creation through fulfillment.
• Experience researching and resolving invoice or purchasing discrepancies.
• Experience coordinating with accounts payable, accounts receivable, or accounting teams on purchasing and invoicing issues.
• Inventory management experience within a manufacturing or similar environment.
• Experience utilizing any ERP software such as SAP, JD Edwards (JDE), QAD, or comparable systems.
• Basic proficiency in Microsoft Excel for tracking, reporting, and analysis related to purchasing and inventory.
• Strong attention to detail and accuracy when reviewing and entering purchasing and inventory data.
• Effective communication skills for interacting with suppliers and cross-functional internal teams.
• Ability to manage multiple open purchase orders and tasks simultaneously in a fast-paced environment.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience managing returns or nonconforming materials.
• Exposure to nonconformance reports (NCRs) or nonconformance processes.
• LEAN or process-improvement experience, particularly within purchasing, supply chain, or manufacturing operations.
• Exposure to international suppliers or offshore sourcing activities.
• Experience with vendor management, including monitoring performance and supporting supplier relationships.
• Relevant education or degree related to supply chain, business, purchasing, or a similar field is beneficial.

Work EnvironmentThis is a fully onsite role within a manufacturing environment, providing daily exposure to production operations, supply chain activities, and cross-functional collaboration. The position operates within a structured schedule, Monday through Friday, from 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. You will work extensively with ERP systems, Microsoft Excel, and other standard office tools to manage purchase orders, inventory data, and supplier information. The role begins as a contract position, with the potential to extend for several months and possibly transition into a long-term or permanent opportunity depending on business needs and individual performance. The work setting emphasizes teamwork, accuracy, and continuous improvement, offering opportunities to contribute to cost-reduction and process-improvement initiatives while supporting reliable material availability for manufacturing operations. Job Type & LocationThis is a Permanent position based out of La Porte, IN. Pay and BenefitsThe pay range for this position is $25.00 - $27.00/hr. Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job-related factors.Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits

available for this temporary role may include the following:

Medical, dental & vision Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital 401(k) Retirement Plan Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents) Short and long-term disability Health Spending Account (HSA) Transportation benefits Employee Assistance Program Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave) Job Type & LocationThis is a Permanent position based out of La Porte, IN. Application DeadlineThis position is anticipated to close on Nov 17, 2026. Workplace TypeThis is a fully onsite position in La Porte,IN.

About Aston Carter

Aston Carter provides world-class corporate talent solutions to thousands of clients across the globe. Specialized in accounting, finance, human resources, talent acquisition, procurement, supply chain and select administrative professions, we extend the capabilities of industry-leading companies. We draw on our deep recruiting expertise and expansive network to meet the evolving needs of our clients and talent community with agility and excellence. With offices across the U.S., Canada, Asia Pacific and Europe, Aston Carter serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing® Platinum Award winner for both client and talent service.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.

If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability, please email astoncarteraccommodation@astoncarter.com for other accommodation options.

San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector: It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI): We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.