Purchasing Assistant- Trackwork

Are you organized, detail-oriented, and ready to build a career in purchasing and supply chain operations? A&K Railroad Materials Inc. is looking for a motivated Purchasing Assistant to support material procurement for our Trackwork Division in Kansas City, KS.

In this role, you'll work closely with our Director of Production Planning to source materials, obtain supplier quotes, process purchase orders, and track deliveries to help keep production running smoothly. You'll communicate with vendors, compare pricing and availability, monitor material needs, and help resolve order or delivery issues. You'll also maintain purchasing records in Microsoft Office and our D365 system.

We're looking for someone who is dependable, organized, comfortable working with numbers and computers, and eager to learn. If you have experience in administration, inventory, manufacturing, or customer service, those skills can provide a great foundation for this position.

What We're Looking For

• High school diploma or GED.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Basic proficiency with Microsoft Office, particularly Excel and Outlook.
• Clear, professional communication skills and the ability to manage multiple priorities.
• A willingness to learn purchasing processes, supplier relationships, and manufacturing operations.

Purchasing, inventory, manufacturing, or D365 experience is a plus, but not required.

What You’ll Do:

As a Purchasing Assistant, you’ll help ensure the materials and supplies needed for production are sourced, ordered, tracked, and delivered on time. Working with the Director of Production Planning, your responsibilities will include:

• Purchasing and sourcing: Help identify and purchase raw materials, components, and supplies for Trackwork production. Request supplier quotes, compare pricing, availability, and lead times, and assist with identifying new or alternative suppliers.
• Purchase orders and supplier coordination: Prepare and process purchase orders in accordance with company procedures and approval requirements. Communicate with suppliers regarding pricing, specifications, quantities, order status, and delivery schedules. Maintain supplier information and purchasing records.
• Order tracking and problem-solving: Monitor open purchase orders, follow up on outstanding deliveries, and flag delayed or backordered materials. Help resolve discrepancies involving pricing, quantities, incorrect or damaged materials, and delivery issues. Communicate potential shortages or delays to the appropriate team members.
• Production and inventory support: Work closely with production to understand material requirements, support production schedules, and communicate material availability. Help monitor inventory and replenishment needs, verify ordered materials against purchase orders and receiving information, and follow up on shortages or incorrect quantities.
• Data and administrative support: Enter and maintain accurate purchasing, supplier, item, and inventory information in Microsoft Dynamics 365 (D365). Assist with purchasing reports, research material and supplier options, and learn A&K’s products, specifications, and production processes.

Why Join A&K?

A&K Railroad Materials has more than 65 years of experience supplying new and used railroad track materials. Our teams support railroad infrastructure across the country, and our continued growth creates opportunities for employees to develop their skills and build their careers.

We offer a competitive compensation package that includes medical, dental, and vision insurance, 401(k) with company match, paid time off and holidays, life insurance, short-term disability insurance, and tuition reimbursement.

If you're ready to start building your career in purchasing and contribute to a team that keeps production moving, we'd like to hear from you!

A&K Railroad Materials is an Equal Opportunity Employer.