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Purchasing Assistant Jobs in Reston, VA (NOW HIRING)

Office Help

Ashburn, VA · On-site

$21 - $22/hr

Maintain necessary administrative records of purchases. Assist Site Manager with site activities for residents such as special events and recreation activities Attend mandatory meetings and seminars ...

Maintain necessary administrative records of purchases. Assist Site Manager with site activities for residents such as special events and recreation activities Attend mandatory meetings and seminars ...

Research Fellow-1

Washington, DC · On-site

$60K - $70K/yr

Manage study budgets and purchasing * Assist with organizing research / educational conferences * Attend and present at dermatologiy and/or research conferences * Complete required training in ...

Purchaser needed for a busy Rockville office. Applicants must be motivated, personable with excellent communication, math and decision making skills. The ideal candidate will be a self-starter who is ...

Purchaser needed for a busy Rockville office. Applicants must be motivated, personable with excellent communication, math and decision making skills. The ideal candidate will be a self-starter who is ...

Import Purchaser

Rockville, MD · On-site

$40K - $55K/yr

Purchaser needed for a busy Rockville office. Applicants must be motivated, personable with excellent communication, math and decision making skills. The ideal candidate will be a self-starter who is ...

Purchaser needed for a busy Rockville office. Applicants must be motivated, personable with excellent communication, math and decision making skills. The ideal candidate will be a self-starter who is ...

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Purchasing Assistant information

See Reston, VA salary details

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How much do purchasing assistant jobs pay per hour?

As of Jul 15, 2026, the average hourly pay for purchasing assistant in Reston, VA is $22.35, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $18.99 and $24.52 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 Reston, VA? The most popular types of Purchasing jobs in Reston, VA are:
What are popular job titles related to Purchasing Assistant jobs in Reston, VA? For Purchasing Assistant jobs in Reston, VA, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Purchasing Assistant jobs in Reston, VA look for? The top searched job categories for Purchasing Assistant jobs in Reston, VA are:
What cities near Reston, VA are hiring for Purchasing Assistant jobs? Cities near Reston, VA with the most Purchasing Assistant job openings:
Purchasing Agent - DC/MD/VA

Full-time

Re-posted 2 days ago


Job description

Jamison Professional Services, Inc. ("Jamison") is currently seeking a qualified and motivated candidate for the position of Purchasing Agent.
Job Title: Purchasing Agent
DESCRIPTION OF SERVICES:
WMATA is undergoing a multi-year Strategic Transformation to deliver safer, more reliable, and customer-focused transit across the Washington DC, Maryland, and Northern Virginia region. Guided by the "Your Metro, The Way Forward" Strategic Transformation Plan, WMATA is aligning its operations, technology, organizational structure, and capital investments to meet evolving customer needs, improve efficiency, and strengthen regional mobility. This transformation addresses changes in ridership patterns, growing customer expectations, new transportation competitors, and budget challenges intensified by the Covid-19 pandemic. The initiative enhances cross-department collaboration, modernizes processes, and supports long-term sustainability and trusted service for the communities we serve.
Responsibilities:
Ability to perform the entire contract life cycle within delegated contracting authority thresholds from "cradle to grave" including, but are not limited to the following; acquisition planning; solicitation preparation; source selection; contract award; administration; ordering; close out; knowledge of professional services; fixed-price and cost reimbursable contracts; negotiation; service and supply; construction: demonstrate strong oral and written communication skills. Perform all duties associated with a competitive procurement process of preparing and issuing Request for Proposals (RFP), Invitation for Bids (IFB), Request for Quotes (RFQ) and Blanket Purchasing Agreement (BPA) through award.
Chair Pre- Proposal/Pre-Bid meetings, chair Source Selection Committee meetings and make recommendations to management. Compile and analyze complex data, identify problems and recommend solutions.
REQUIRED AND DESIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:
  • Bachelor's Degree in Business, Accounting, Finance or a related field.
  • One (1) years of progressively responsible experience in the purchasing/contracting area.

Location: Washington, DC / Alexandria, VA / Silver Spring, MD
Schedule:
Standard hours are from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. with a one (1) hour unpaid lunch break. However, the COTR may request temporary services for periods in excess of a seven and one half (7.5) hour day or a thirty-seven and one-half hour (37.5) hour week. Temporary personnel working six (6) hours or more are required to take a one-half hour unpaid lunch break. Overtime: Hours worked in excess of forty (40) hours in one week is considered as overtime work, all overtime must be approved by the COTR in advance.
Clearance Level Required: Employment is contingent upon successfully completing any required background checks, in accordance with applicable law.
JAMISON CORPORATE OVERVIEW:
Jamison Professional Services, Inc. (Jamison) is a Service-Disabled, Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB), certified Minority Business Enterprise (MBE) headquartered in metropolitan Atlanta, Georgia. We specialize in providing professional management, administrative, healthcare, court reporters and transcriptionist experts, and document/ record and telehealth operational support solutions to U.S. Government, State, and commercial clients. Jamison is a nationwide professional staff augmentation company, that helps commercial clients and government agencies expand their talent acquisition reach by sourcing, assessing, developing, and managing the talent that enables them to be successful.
Jamison offers a wide range of employment opportunities in the commercial and government sectors. We seek employees who share our values of service excellence, integrity, and professionalism.
Jamison affords equal employment opportunity to all individuals, regardless of race, creed, color, religion, gender, national origin, ancestry, age, marital status, veteran status, disability, medical condition, gender identity, or sexual orientation. Our employees, as well as applicants and others with whom we do business, will not be subjected to sexual, racial, religious, ethnic, or any other form of unlawful harassment and/or discrimination. In addition, Jamison adheres to the equal employment opportunity requirements of all states and localities in which it does business.
Jamison's commitment to equal opportunity is applied through every aspect of the employment relationship, including, but not limited to, recruitment, selection, placement, training, compensation, promotion, transfer, termination, and all other matters of employment.
Applicants may be required to successfully complete an online assessment to determine qualifications for positions requiring specific skills.
All applications must be submitted through our application system at: https://www.jps-online.com/apply-now/