As a Purchasing Assistant at Aston Carter, you will be responsible for updating, verifying, and completing purchase requisitions while comparing requested items to actual demand and usage trends. Additionally, you'll be obtaining quotes from vendors and resolving any discrepancies related to invoicing and shipping. Collaborating closely with the accounting and shipping departments will be key to ensuring smooth operations, and you'll also be expected to complete various reports like Cost Change and Stock Analysis.

To qualify for the Purchasing Assistant position at Aston Carter, you should have at least 6 months of purchasing experience within a distribution or manufacturing environment. You’ll also need to demonstrate strong data entry skills, intermediate proficiency in Microsoft Excel, and effective communication skills in both written and verbal English. Being detail-oriented and capable of adapting to new systems quickly is essential.

Essential skills for the Purchasing Assistant role at Aston Carter include accurate data entry, basic math and reading skills, and proficiency in Microsoft Office applications like Excel, Outlook, and Word. Previous experience in purchasing, attention to detail, and the ability to work collaboratively with multiple teams are also important to succeed in this position.

The work environment for a Purchasing Assistant at Aston Carter is dynamic and collaborative. You will regularly interact with teams from accounting and shipping, fostering teamwork. This position requires adaptability and professionalism as you will be handling various tasks in a fast-paced setting, ensuring that all operational needs are met efficiently.

The salary range for the Purchasing Assistant position at Aston Carter is between $22.00 and $25.00 per hour. This competitive pay reflects the importance of the role in ensuring seamless operations within the company, along with the potential for additional benefits if you meet eligibility requirements.

Definitely! When answering this question, highlight specific experiences that are relevant to purchasing tasks, such as your responsibilities in previous roles, the types of vendors you interacted with, and how you handled discrepancies or challenges in procurement processes.

Discuss your methods for maintaining accuracy in data entry, such as double-checking your work, using software tools that minimize errors, and implementing a systematic approach for updating requisitions or reports to ensure nothing is overlooked.

When obtaining quotes from vendors, it's important to evaluate price, quality, and delivery times. In your response, mention your strategy for comparing quotes and any criteria you use to determine the best options for the company and its needs.

Outline your approach for addressing shipping discrepancies, including how you would communicate with the vendor involved, the information you would gather, and steps you would take to resolve the issue while keeping relevant departments informed.

Share examples from your past experiences where effective teamwork led to successful outcomes. Emphasize the importance of communication and collaboration with colleagues from different departments, like accounting and shipping, to solve problems swiftly.

Be prepared to detail your level of proficiency with Microsoft Excel. Discuss specific functions you're comfortable with, like formulas, pivot tables, or data analysis techniques, and how you’ve used Excel in past roles to manage data efficiently.

Talk about your strategies for prioritizing tasks effectively, including how you assess urgency, set realistic deadlines, and manage your time to ensure all responsibilities are fulfilled without compromising quality.

Describe various tools and methods you use to stay organized, such as to-do lists, project management software, or calendar reminders, which help you keep track of tasks in a busy work setting.

When discussing your approach to learning new systems, convey your eagerness to adapt. Mention any past experiences where you successfully learned new tools and processes, and highlight your strategies for gaining proficiency quickly.

Craft a thoughtful response explaining your interest in the Purchasing Assistant role at Aston Carter. You might mention the company's reputation, your passion for procurement, and how your values align with Aston Carter's focus on teamwork, professionalism, and diversity.