Purchasing Assistant - Shift 1st

Ventura-Coastal; Tipton (IA); On-site; USD 42,000 - 62,000; Full time

Job summary

Ventura Coastal is seeking a Purchasing Assistant to handle material and service purchases, expediting, and PO management across multiple manufacturing locations. The role focuses on price, delivery, and term optimizations while ensuring compliance with company purchasing policies.

You will work with vendors to obtain quotes, qualifications, and COIs, and will maintain POs, capex orders, and tax exemptions as needed.

Qualifications

• Associate degree or 2 years college in Business Administration.
• 1–5 years’ experience in Administration or Customer Service in food or consumer products.
• Purchasing experience is a plus; ERP experience is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Review requisitions for accuracy and convert to Purchase Orders.
• Place purchase orders with vendors by phone, email, or online; issue Cap Ex PO and tax exemptions.
• Assist with new vendor qualification including W9, COI, and ACH details.
• Obtain PO confirmations and update dates in SAGE; notify plants/departments.
• Perform general duties to support department activities (distribute POs, schedule deliveries).
• Research suppliers for price quotes and communicate with production about needs.

Skills

Microsoft Office

Teamwork

Strong communication

Attention to detail

Education

Associate degree in Business Administration

Tools

SAGE ERP

Job description

Job SummaryThe Purchasing Assistant purchases materials, parts, supplies, services, and equipment following established purchasing policies and procedures and optimizes price, delivery, and terms. Other activities include expediting, maintaining purchase order due dates, and communicating with the manufacturing locations. This is the first-level professional who typically purchases less than $5 million per year (excluding Capital Equipment item purchases).In the absence of this position, the Purchasing Specialist will perform these duties.Primary ResponsibilitiesFood Safety is the responsibility of all Ventura Coastal manufacturing employees. All Ventura Coastal manufacturing employees must be aware of CCPs in their area and how to document them appropriately. All staff must report food safety and quality problems to their immediate supervisor in charge during their shift.Review requisitions (in E-Requester) for accuracy, proper departments and GL accounts are selected, and supporting documentation is attached before converting into Purchase Orders.Place purchase orders with vendors via telephone, email and or online. Place Cap Ex Purchase Orders, and issue Tax Exemptions as needed.Assist with new vendor qualification and reassure that they meet Ventura Coastal’s requirements to include W9's, Contact Information, Certificates of Insurance & ACH Payment details.Obtain vendor purchase order confirmation / acknowledgement – updating promise dates in SAGE, and ensure all information is communicated to all manufacturing plants and departments as required.Perform general and program specific functions (i.e. distributing purchase orders, scheduling deliveries, photocopying, and faxing documents) for the purpose of supporting departmental activities.Research suppliers to obtain price quotes for office/daily supplies, miscellaneous parts as requested by the plants.Interface with production personnel regarding supplies and packaging storage, inventory, and volume requirements.Maintain Vendor Certificate of Insurance's. Reassure all current vendors who enter the sites to perform labor / services are updated and current. Verify that COI's meet Ventura Coastal requirements. Request as needed and file accordingly.Perform other duties as assigned and required.Qualifications and Education RequirementsAssociate degree or two (2) years college study in Business Administration.One to five (1-5) years’ experience in Administration or Customer Service with a food or consumer products company.Purchasing experience, a plus.Proficient in Microsoft Office Products: Outlook, Excel, Word and PowerPoint and large-scale ERP applications a must.The ability to work successfully in a team environment is necessary.Ability to develop basic purchasing skills. Ability to manage inventory of non-fruit materials, supplies and product packaging to meet production requirements and minimize costs.Understanding materials, operating supplies, and packing requirements, production use and order planning.Good administrative and coordinating skills; ability to work across functional lines.Ability to work in fast paced environment. Must have excellent communication, planning and organizational skills.Proven track record in sourcing suppliers and negotiating discounts to minimize company expenditures.Excellent communication skills in English both written and spoken.Physical RequirementsThe ability to meet flexible and changing priorities and the ability to work under pressure is a must. Will be in an office environment requiring the ability to sit, stand, walk, talk, and listen for extended periods of time. Minimal climbing, lifting, and bending.This job description is intended to provide guidelines for job expectations and the employee's ability to perform the position described. It is not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all functions, responsibilities, skills, and abilities. Additional functions and requirements may be assigned by supervisors as deemed appropriate. This document does not represent a contract of employment, and the Company reserves the right to change this job description and/or assign tasks for the employee to perform, as the Company may deem appropriate.