Purchasing Assistant

MRA Recruiting Services; Madison (WI); On-site; USD 42,000 - 54,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401(k) plan

PTO

Health insurance

Paid holidays

Job summary

UPC, located in Madison, WI, is seeking a Purchasing Assistant to support operations by procuring materials, sourcing vendors, and coordinating deliveries. The role involves maintaining supplier relationships, processing invoices, and collaborating with internal teams on projects and schedules.

The ideal candidate has 1–3 years in purchasing or related roles, familiarity with ERP/MRP systems, and strong organizational skills. A high school diploma is required, with an associate degree preferred.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED required; Associate degree preferred.
• One to three years purchasing, procurement, inventory control, administrative, or related experience required.
• Manufacturing or industrial purchasing experience is a plus.
• Experience working with vendors, purchase orders, freight coordination, and inventory management.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office (Excel, Outlook, and Word) and experience using ERP, MRP, or accounting software.

Responsibilities

• Purchase materials, supplies, equipment, and services to support company operations.
• Source vendors, obtain quotes, and maintain supplier relationships.
• Coordinate deliveries, inventory, and logistics to ensure materials are available when needed.
• Maintain purchasing records, process invoices, and resolve purchasing or vendor issues.
• Work with internal teams to support projects and production schedules.
• Identify cost-saving opportunities and monitor market trends.
• Perform other purchasing and administrative duties as assigned.
• Demonstrate strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and sound decision-making.

Skills

Vendor management

Purchasing/procurement

Inventory coordination

Attention to detail

Communication

Education

High school diploma or GED

Associate degree in Business, Supply Chain Management, or related field

Tools

ERP/MRP software

Microsoft Office

Job description

Universal Presentation Concepts (UPC)

Purchasing Assistant

Madison, WI

About UPC

UPC has been designing and manufacturing retail store fixtures and point-of-purchase displays in Madison, Wisconsin, for almost 50 years, since 1978. Started as a family business, we have grown and have established ourselves worldwide. We are employee centric and are looking for strong candidates and long-term commitments. Our employee’s tenure says it all!

Position Summary

• Purchase materials, supplies, equipment, and services to support company operations.
• Source vendors, obtain quotes, and maintain supplier relationships.
• Coordinate deliveries, inventory, and logistics to ensure materials are available when needed.
• Maintain purchasing records, process invoices, and resolve purchasing or vendor issues.
• Work with internal teams to support projects and production schedules.
• Identify cost-saving opportunities and monitor market trends.
• Perform other purchasing and administrative duties as assigned.
• Demonstrate strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and sound decision-making.

Facility & Work Environment

• Standard Office Environment
• Occasional exposure to manufacturing, production, and warehouse environments. The position requires periodic communication and collaboration with production team members.

Education & Experience

• High school diploma or GED required; Associate degree in Business, Supply Chain Management, or a related field preferred.
• One to three years of purchasing, procurement, inventory control, administrative, or related experience required.
• Manufacturing or industrial purchasing experience is a plus.
• Experience working with vendors, purchase orders, freight coordination, and inventory management.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office (Excel, Outlook, and Word) and experience using ERP, MRP, or accounting software.

Benefits

We offer a competitive benefits package that includes:

• 401(k) and Roth
• Paid Time Off (PTO)
• Health insurance benefits
• Paid holidays
• And more

Universal Presentation Concepts (UPC) is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All employment decisions are based on qualifications, merit, and business needs.

We Make it Easy

Founded in 1901, MRA is a nonprofit employer association that serves more than 4,000 employers, covering more than one million employees.

As one of the largest employer associations in the nation, MRA helps its member organizations thrive by offering the most comprehensive assortment of HR services, information, education, and resources to help build successful workplaces and a powerful workforce.

We partner with these companies working directly with their HR department and leadership to hire their talent. We are a direct line to the company, not an agency recruiter.