Entry Level Artificial Intelligence Jobs in Minnesota

Job Title: Purchasing Associate

Job Description

We are seeking a detail-oriented Purchasing Assistant to support a busy procurement team within a fast-paced manufacturing environment. This role focuses on administrative and transactional purchasing activities, helping buyers maintain accurate procurement data, vendor information, and reporting. The ideal candidate enjoys working with data, following processes, and supporting supply chain operations.

Responsibilities

• Maintain and update pricing information within ERP systems.
• Process date revisions and purchasing-related updates.
• Run and distribute purchasing and supply chain reports.
• Perform high-volume data entry with a high degree of accuracy.
• Match invoices to purchase orders and receipts.
• Research and resolve invoice discrepancies with internal teams and vendors.
• Review and compare data sets to identify inconsistencies and errors.
• Support purchasing and procurement teams with administrative tasks.
• Assist with daily operational activities and reporting requirements.
• Follow established procedures and processes without direct purchasing decision-making responsibilities.

Essential Skills

• High School Diploma or equivalent.
• Internship, entry-level experience, or 1+ year of experience in purchasing, procurement, supply chain, administrative support, or data entry.
• Intermediate Microsoft Excel skills, including data formatting, basic formulas and functions, and VLOOKUP and/or XLOOKUP.
• Experience with Microsoft Office 365, including Outlook, Teams, and Excel.
• Strong attention to detail and organizational skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience using Epicor ERP.
• Manufacturing industry experience.
• Previous invoicing, accounts payable, or purchase order experience.
• High-volume data entry experience.

Work Environment

Join an established purchasing group consisting of buyers, buyers, and associate buyers in a fast-paced, collaborative work environment. The role is primarily based in a cubicle-office setting with onsite amenities including a fitness center and vending area.

This is a Contract position based out of Elk River, MN.

The pay range for this position is $23.00 - $25.00/hr.

Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following: • Medical, dental & vision • Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital • 401(k) Retirement Plan – Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available • Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents) • Short and long-term disability • Health Spending Account (HSA) • Transportation benefits • Employee Assistance Program • Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)

This is a fully onsite position in Elk River,MN.

This position is anticipated to close on Aug 7, 2026.

Aston Carter provides world-class corporate talent solutions to thousands of clients across the globe. Specialized in accounting, finance, human resources, talent acquisition, procurement, supply chain and select administrative professions, we extend the capabilities of industry-leading companies. We draw on our deep recruiting expertise and expansive network to meet the evolving needs of our clients and talent community with agility and excellence. With offices across the U.S., Canada, Asia Pacific and Europe, Aston Carter serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing® Platinum Award winner for both client and talent service.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.

If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability, please email astoncarteraccommodation@astoncarter.com for other accommodation options.

San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector: It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI): We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.