The Purchasing Assistant supports plant operations by maintaining accurate inventory levels of parts, materials, supplies, and personal protective equipment (PPE). This role is responsible for inventory transactions, receiving activities, cycle counts, data entry, material distribution, and general purchasing support. The Purchasing Assistant works closely with Maintenance, Operations, Warehouse, and Purchasing teams to ensure materials are available when needed and inventory records remain accurate.
Essential Responsibilities
Inventory Management
Perform daily, weekly, and cyclical inventory counts to ensure inventory accuracy.
Verify on-hand inventory quantities and reconcile discrepancies.
Monitor inventory levels and communicate shortages to the Purchasing team.
Maintain proper storage, labeling, and organization of inventory items.
Assist with inventory audits and cycle count programs.
Receiving & Material Handling
Receive, inspect, and verify incoming shipments against purchase orders and packing slips.
Issue and distribute parts, materials, and supplies to internal departments.
Deliver materials throughout the facility as needed.
Operate forklifts and other material handling equipment safely and efficiently.
Prepare materials and equipment for return, repair, or replacement.
Purchasing Systems & Documentation
Process receiving transactions and inventory issues within SAP.
Maintain accurate inventory and purchasing records.
File purchasing documentation and receiving records in accordance with company procedures.
Research and locate parts, materials, and vendor information within SAP and related systems.
Assist with purchase requisitions and other purchasing-related administrative tasks.
Cross-Functional Support
Provide support across all purchasing and inventory functions, including packaging and office operations.
Collaborate with Maintenance, Operations, Quality Assurance, and other departments to meet plant needs.
Assist with departmental projects, audits, and process improvement initiatives.
Support training and onboarding of new team members as needed.
5S & Continuous Improvement
Maintain a clean, safe, and organized work environment by following 5S principles: Sort, Set in Order, Shine, Standardize, and Sustain.
Actively participate in continuous improvement initiatives that enhance safety, efficiency, and inventory accuracy.
Promote and maintain workplace safety standards and company policies.
Other Duties
Perform additional duties and responsibilities as assigned.
Qualifications
Required
Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
Proficiency in Microsoft Excel and other Microsoft Office applications.
Ability to work independently while managing multiple priorities.
Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.
Strong verbal and written communication skills.
Ability to lift, carry, push, and pull materials as required by the position.
Ability to become forklift certified and safely operate material handling equipment.
Preferred
Previous inventory control, purchasing, warehouse, or materials management experience.
SAP experience.
Forklift certification.
Experience in a manufacturing or food production environment.
Benefits
Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance
401(k) with company match after one year of service
Paid Vacation and Sick Time
Six Company-Observed Holidays
EOE/VETS/DISABILITY
Numbers & Facts
Location
Souderton, PA
Industry
Manufacturing - Other
Company Size
10,000 employees or more
Year Founded
2009
About Company
Pilgrim's is the second-largest chicken producer in the world, with operations in the United States, Mexico and Puerto Rico. Our corporate headquarters is in Greeley, Colorado. We employ approximately 38,000 people and have the capacity to process more than 36 million birds per week for a total of more than 9.5 billion pounds of live chicken annually.Pilgrim's products are sold to foodservice, retail and frozen entrée customers. The company's primary distribution is through retailers, foodservice distributors and restaurants throughout the United States and Puerto Rico and in the Northern and Central regions of Mexico. We currently operate in 12 U.S. states, Puerto Rico and Mexico. These states include Texas, Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia and West Virginia. Pilgrim's Pride is a part of the JBS USA family. JBS S.A., the world's largest protein company, owns 75.5% of our outstanding common stock. Click here for more information on the JBS family of proteins.
Skills
Administrative Skillsunmatched
Communication Skillsunmatched
Continuous Improvementunmatched
Corporate Policiesunmatched
Cross-Functionalunmatched
Data Entryunmatched
Dental Insuranceunmatched
Detail Orientedunmatched
Documentationunmatched
Food Productionunmatched
Forkliftunmatched
Inventory Cycle Countsunmatched
Inventory Levelsunmatched
Inventory Managementunmatched
Inventory Reportsunmatched
Inventory Transactionsunmatched
Manufacturingunmatched
Materials Managementunmatched
Microsoft Excelunmatched
Microsoft Officeunmatched
Multitaskingunmatched
Onboardingunmatched
Operational Supportunmatched
Order Picking/Packingunmatched
Organizational Skillsunmatched
Presentation/Verbal Skillsunmatched
Process Improvementunmatched
Production Systemsunmatched
Purchase Ordersunmatched
Purchasing/Procurementunmatched
Quality Assuranceunmatched
Receiving Inspectionunmatched
Reconciliationunmatched
SAPunmatched
Safety Standardsunmatched
Safety/Work Safetyunmatched
Shipping/Receivingunmatched
Transaction Processing/Managementunmatched
Vision Planunmatched
Warehousingunmatched
Writing Skillsunmatched
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