Purchasing Assistant

R&B Wholesale Distributors, LLC, is seeking a dependable and detail-oriented Purchasing Assistant to support our purchasing and inventory operations. This position will assist with placing and tracking purchase orders, communicating with vendors, maintaining accurate purchasing records, monitoring inventory levels, and helping ensure products are available when needed.

The ideal candidate is organized, proactive, comfortable working with numbers and spreadsheets, and able to communicate effectively with vendors and internal departments.

Essential Responsibilities

• Assist the purchasing team with daily purchasing and procurement activities.
• Prepare, enter, and maintain purchase orders accurately.
• Communicate with vendors regarding pricing, product availability, order confirmations, shipping, and delivery dates.
• Track purchase orders from placement through delivery.
• Monitor inventory levels and help identify products that need to be reordered.
• Maintain accurate vendor, product, pricing, and purchasing information.
• Assist with comparing vendor pricing and obtaining quotes.
• Follow up on delayed, short, damaged, or incorrect shipments.
• Coordinate with warehouse and receiving personnel regarding incoming merchandise.
• Review invoices and purchase orders for accuracy and help resolve discrepancies.
• Assist with maintaining appropriate inventory levels and minimizing stock-outs or excess inventory.
• Prepare purchasing reports and spreadsheets as requested.
• Assist with new product setup and updates to product information.
• Maintain organized purchasing files and documentation.
• Perform data entry and other administrative duties related to purchasing.
• Provide general support to the Purchasing Manager and purchasing department.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent required; additional education in business, purchasing, supply chain, or a related field is a plus.
• Previous purchasing, procurement, inventory, warehouse, or administrative experience preferred.
• Strong organizational and time-management skills.
• Excellent attention to detail and accuracy.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Comfortable working with Microsoft Excel and other computer-based systems.
• Ability to work with numbers, pricing, quantities, and inventory information.
• Ability to prioritize multiple tasks in a fast-paced wholesale environment.
• Strong problem-solving and follow-up skills.
• Ability to work independently while also being an effective team member.
• Professional and courteous communication with vendors, customers, and coworkers.

Preferred Skills

• Experience with wholesale distribution or inventory management.
• Experience with purchasing or inventory management software/ERP systems.
• Knowledge of purchase orders, invoices, receiving, and vendor management.
• Familiarity with product pricing and inventory control.
• Intermediate Excel skills, including sorting, filtering, and basic formulas.

Physical & Work Environment

This position is primarily office-based but may require occasional interaction with warehouse and receiving operations. The employee may occasionally need to walk through warehouse areas, inspect merchandise, or assist with verifying incoming shipments.

What We're Looking For

The successful candidate will be someone who is organized, reliable, detail-oriented, and proactive. This person should take ownership of assigned tasks, follow up consistently with vendors and internal teams, and help the purchasing department keep products flowing efficiently from suppliers to the warehouse.

R&B Wholesale Distributors is an equal opportunity employer.