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Purchasing Assistant Jobs in Connecticut (NOW HIRING)

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Purchasing Specialist

Berlin, CT · On-site

$22 - $25/hr

Support inventory accuracy and assist with cycle count investigations * Coordinate with internal ... Knowledge of purchasing, inventory control, and logistics processes * Experience coordinating ...

Purchasing Coordinator

Guilford, CT · On-site

$21.50 - $28.75/hr

Purchasing Coordinator American Cruise Lines is a rapidly growing, nationwide company that is ... Work closely with culinary and hotel teams on ordering procedures. * Assist each ship with ...

Purchasing Coordinator

Guilford, CT

$21.50 - $28.75/hr

Purchasing Coordinator American Cruise Lines is a rapidly growing, nationwide company that is ... Work closely with culinary and hotel teams on ordering procedures. * Assist each ship with ...

The Purchasing Manager is responsible for leading and developing the purchasing team while ensuring the timely procurement of materials, services and supplies required to support production, customer ...

The Purchasing Clerk supports the Purchasing Department by performing various clerical tasks under the direction of the Purchasing Manager and buyers. This role involves processing purchase ...

Guide, assist, and negotiate to satisfactory conclusion important or major purchasing contracts. * Research and develop competent suppliers of high quality components by overseeing and participating ...

Purchasing Agent

Danbury, CT · On-site

$68K - $110K/yr

Purchasing Agent, Onsite Danbury, CT Come make the world and accelerate your success. It takes great people to achieve greatness. People with a sense of purpose and integrity. People with a ...

Purchasing Agent , Onsite Danbury, CT Come make the world and accelerate your success. It takes great people to achieve greatness. People with a sense of purpose and integrity. People with a ...

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Purchasing Assistant information

See Connecticut salary details

$12

$20

$28

How much do purchasing assistant jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 3, 2026, the average hourly pay for purchasing assistant in Connecticut is $20.44, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $17.36 and $22.40 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

Is a purchasing assistant job stressful?

A purchasing assistant job can be stressful due to tight deadlines, managing supplier relationships, and ensuring accurate inventory levels. The role often requires strong organizational skills and attention to detail to handle multiple tasks efficiently. However, stress levels vary depending on the company, workload, and individual coping strategies.

What is the difference between Purchasing Assistant vs Procurement Clerk?

AspectPurchasing AssistantProcurement Clerk
CredentialsHigh school diploma, some roles may require certifications in purchasing or supply chainHigh school diploma, familiarity with procurement processes
Work EnvironmentOffice setting, supporting purchasing teamsOffice environment, handling procurement documentation
Employer & Industry UsageRetail, manufacturing, logistics companiesGovernment agencies, large corporations, public sector
Common Search & ComparisonOften compared for entry-level purchasing rolesRelated to procurement process support roles

The Purchasing Assistant and Procurement Clerk roles share similarities in supporting purchasing and procurement activities, often requiring similar credentials and working in office environments. However, Purchasing Assistants typically focus on assisting with purchase orders and supplier communication, while Procurement Clerks handle procurement documentation and record-keeping. Both roles are essential in supply chain operations across various industries.

What skills are essential for a purchasing assistant?

A purchasing assistant needs strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and good communication abilities to coordinate with suppliers and internal teams. Proficiency in using procurement software and basic understanding of supply chain processes are also important for effective job performance.

What are some common challenges Purchasing Assistants face when coordinating with suppliers, and how can these be managed effectively?

Purchasing Assistants often encounter challenges such as delayed shipments, miscommunications about order specifications, or fluctuating prices. To manage these issues effectively, it's important to maintain clear and consistent communication with suppliers, document all agreements, and proactively follow up on delivery timelines. Building strong relationships with preferred vendors and staying organized with detailed records can help resolve issues quickly and minimize disruptions to the supply chain.

How much does a purchasing assistant earn?

A purchasing assistant typically earns between $30,000 and $50,000 annually, depending on experience, location, and industry. Entry-level roles may start lower, while experienced assistants or those in specialized sectors can earn higher salaries. Skills in negotiation, inventory management, and familiarity with procurement software can influence compensation.

What does a purchasing assistant do?

A purchasing assistant supports the procurement process by helping to order supplies, track inventory, and communicate with vendors. They often use procurement software and require strong organizational skills to ensure timely and cost-effective purchasing for their organization.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Purchasing Assistant, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Purchasing Assistant, you need strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and a basic understanding of procurement processes, often supported by a relevant associate degree or experience in supply chain management. Familiarity with procurement software, inventory management systems, and Excel is typically required. Effective communication, time management, and problem-solving abilities are essential soft skills for this role. These competencies ensure accurate order processing, timely supplier coordination, and efficient support for the purchasing department’s operations.

What Is a Purchasing Assistant?

As a purchasing assistant, you buy products for your company to sell or use in operations. Your job duties entail communicating with vendors to obtain goods at the best prices, tracking product inventory, monitoring sales trends, and placing orders on products. Purchasing assistants often play a role in choosing which products to stock. The career requires you have some formal qualifications and education, generally a bachelor’s degree in business or a related field, excellent computer skills, and prior sales experience. It is necessary to develop knowledge of your specific industry, including normal sales and revenue trends.

What are the most commonly searched types of Purchasing jobs in Connecticut? The most popular types of Purchasing jobs in Connecticut are:
What job categories do people searching Purchasing Assistant jobs in Connecticut look for? The top searched job categories for Purchasing Assistant jobs in Connecticut are:
What cities in Connecticut are hiring for Purchasing Assistant jobs? Cities in Connecticut with the most Purchasing Assistant job openings:
What are popular job titles related to Purchasing Assistant jobs in CT? For Purchasing Assistant jobs in CT, the most frequently searched job titles are:
Infographic showing various Purchasing Assistant job openings in Connecticut as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 35% Full Time, 60% Part Time, and 5% Contract. Highlights an 97% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 2% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $42,511 per year, or $20.4 per hour.

Purchasing - University Assistant

Western Connecticut State University

Danbury, CT • On-site

$25/hr

Part-time

Posted 4 days ago


Job description

Western Connecticut State University is pleased to announce applications are being accepted for part-time, 19 hours per week Purchasing University Assistant position in our Administrative Services department.
Western Connecticut State University (WCSU) is committed to enhancing our diverse university community by actively encouraging people with disabilities, members of LGBTQIA and BIPOC communities, veterans, and women to apply.  We take pride in our pluralistic community and continue to seek excellence through diversity and inclusion.  WCSU is honored to be awarded the federal designation as a Hispanic Servicing Institution (HSI). This accomplishment marks a pivotal moment in our progress toward fostering diversity, equity, and inclusion within our campus community. 
The mission of Western Connecticut State University’s Purchasing Office is to assist the University community in the procurement of goods and services. It is our goal to conduct all activities in the best interest of the University, provide procurement services in accordance with sound business and procurement practices, and comply with guidelines established by State of Connecticut and the Connecticut State Colleges and Universities. Our goal is to procure goods and services to accommodate University needs in a timely and economical manner. Information on the Purchasing Office can be found at:  https://www.wcsu.edu/purchasing/ Information on the University may be found at www.wcsu.edu.
 
Position Summary:The University Assistant provides purchasing office support to the Purchasing Office by assisting with vendor records, purchasing documentation, purchase order status inquiries, records retention, purchasing card support, spend research, and general customer service. The position supports the efficient operation of the office by maintaining organized records, tracking routine purchasing activity, preparing reports, and helping departments and vendors obtain procedural information.
This position is support in nature and does not have authority to approve purchases, issue purchase orders, select vendors, negotiate terms, approve requisitions, approve purchasing card transactions, determine allowability, or commit university funds. The position may research, compile, organize, and communicate routine status information, but may not approve purchases, authorize vendors, determine procurement method, evaluate bids or proposals, negotiate pricing or terms, approve purchasing card transactions, issue purchase orders, or make commitments on behalf of the university.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
The University Assistant may perform the following duties:
  • Assist with creating, updating, and maintaining vendor profile information, including vendor contact information, tax forms, insurance certificates, diversity documentation, and other required supplier records.
  • Review vendor and departmental submissions for completeness and route materials to appropriate Purchasing Office staff for review or action.
  • Maintain electronic and physical purchasing files in accordance with university records retention requirements, including scanning, uploading, indexing, naming, organizing, and archiving documents.
  • Respond to routine inquiries from departments, vendors, and university stakeholders regarding purchasing procedures, required forms, document status, vendor information, purchase order status, and general office processes.
  • Check and communicate routine status information related to requisitions, purchase orders, change orders, vendor setups, contract documents, purchasing card records, and pending requests.
  • Monitor shared purchasing inboxes, maintain inquiry logs, track open items, and route policy questions, exceptions, compliance concerns, or procurement decision matters to authorized purchasing staff.
  • Assist with researching and compiling spend and category information across university purchasing card activity, purchase orders, vendor records, and related systems.
  • Prepare routine reports, spreadsheets, summaries, and tracking documents related to purchasing card activity, vendor usage, recurring purchases, departmental spend, open purchase orders, expiring contracts, and missing documentation.
  • Support purchasing card coordination by tracking receipts, acknowledgments, user lists, training records, reconciliation status, and documentation needed for audit or compliance review.
  • Assist with contract and renewal tracking by maintaining logs of expiration dates, insurance certificate dates, amendment status, renewal deadlines, and recurring service or subscription information.
  • Prepare draft responses, status updates, and summaries for review by Purchasing Office staff.
  • Assist with fiscal year-end preparation, recurring purchase tracking, file cleanup, audit support, and other purchasing office projects as assigned.
Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:The position requires strong organizational skills, attention to detail, customer service skills, and the ability to maintain accurate records. The University Assistant should be comfortable using email, spreadsheets, shared drives, document management systems, and university systems. The position also requires the ability to communicate professionally with faculty, staff, vendors, and other stakeholders while appropriately routing purchasing decisions to authorized personnel.
 Required Qualifications:
  • Associate's degree or higher in Business Administration, Accounting, Public Administration, Office Technology, or a related field. (Drop to HS Diploma if wanting a larger pool of applicants)
  • Two (2) years of administrative, clerical, office support, accounting support, procurement support, records management, customer service, or related experience; or an equivalent combination of college education and experience.
  • Experience using Microsoft Office applications, including Outlook, Word, and Excel.
  • Demonstrated ability to maintain accurate records and organize electronic and paper files.
  • Strong written and verbal communication skills.
  • Ability to prioritize multiple assignments, meet deadlines, and maintain confidentiality.

Preferred Qualifications:
  • Bachelor's degree or higher in Business Administration, Accounting, Public Administration, Office Technology, or a related field.
  • Experience supporting purchasing, procurement, accounts payable, finance, contract administration, records management, or compliance functions.
  • Experience working in a college, university, government, or other public-sector environment.
  • Experience with Banner, Jaggaer, Core-CT, or other enterprise resource planning software.
  • Advanced Microsoft Excel skills, including sorting, filtering, basic formulas, and report generation.
  • Experience maintaining vendor records, purchasing card documentation, contract files, or audit records.
  • Familiarity with customer service practices and responding to inquiries from multiple stakeholders.

Work Hours, Salary & Benefits: 19 hours per week. The salary is $25.00 per hour.  Additional information on part-time benefits can be found at www.wcsu.edu/hr/benefits/. Please note there are no paid benefits for this position. All employment, if offered, is contingent upon proof of citizenship or employability under the requirement of the Immigration and Control Act (IRCA) and the successful passing of a background check. WSCU is committed to providing a safe campus community. Background investigations include reference checks, employment verifications, and a criminal history record check.
As WCSU is a dynamic, diverse workplace, the proven ability to work effectively with people from a variety of backgrounds and cultures is highly valued.
 
Application Process: Prospective candidates must submit a cover letter, which includes the contact information for (3) current professional references and a resume. Questions may be directed to  hrpositions@wcsu.edu – please reference Purchasing - University Assistant in subject line.
To apply, submit your materials to: https://westernconnecticutstateuniversity.applytojob.com/apply/yDPFLf4rCj/Purchasing-University-Assistant
 
Application review will begin immediately and continue until the position has been filled.
 
Western is an Affirmative Action Equal Opportunity Educator/Employer

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