Procurement Assistant

Overview

The Prototyping Manufacturing and Integration Division (PMID) of Applied Research Associates (ARA), Inc. has an exciting opportunity for a full-time Procurement Assistant, on-site at our Madison, AL facility. A Procurement Assistant, under general supervision, will perform various routine to complex purchasing duties related to the purchase of specific types of products or a wide range of products for a project. The role will build procurement workflows, maintain the procurement process, and ensure material is ordered on time.

It involves receiving inbound material requests, determining the proper course of action with purchasing, and working with engineering and fabrication teams on the floor to interpret Bills of Materials (BOM). The Procurement Assistant will consolidate material needs from internal stakeholders to create purchase requests for the corporate purchasing team to execute. Effective communication and proficient knowledge of the Microsoft Office Suite are required.

Note: This position will require at minimum the ability to obtain and maintain a SECRET clearance from the US Department of War.

• Perform duties related to purchasing and procurement of materials for projects.
• Take independent action to ensure on-time delivery of material and initiate action for return of rejected or unsuitable orders.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite.
• Maintain accurate, complete documentation of all formal material requests and a traceable log of materials ordered.
• Track various purchasing schedule requirements and create purchase orders, ensuring their accuracy.
• Assist in preparing documentation and asset management tags for inventory control.
• Ensure the appropriate quantity of materials is available when needed to prevent production disruptions caused by material shortages.
• Monitor and communicate material availability and lead-time data from potential sources to engineering and production teams to assist in project scheduling.
• Audit material requests for accuracy, such as verifying part numbers and material grades, to ensure correct orders.
• Adhere to safety procedures and maintain a clean and organized work environment.
• Work in an environment requiring physical activities including sitting, standing, lifting up to 50 lbs individually (50 lbs or more with assistance), and other related movements.

• H.S. diploma or GED, plus advanced training and 2-3 years’ experience in purchasing/procurement.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a SECRET clearance from the US Department of War.
• Ability to read and interpret engineering BoMs, technical drawings, and material specifications is a plus.

• Active/current SECRET Clearance from the US Department of War.
• Ability to read and interpret BoMs, technical drawings, and material specifications.

Applied Research Associates, Inc. (ARA) is an employee-owned international research and engineering company recognized for providing technically superior solutions to complex problems in the physical sciences. The company was founded in Albuquerque, NM, in 1979 and currently employs over 2,200 employee-owners with offices across the United States and Canada providing expertise in defense technologies, civil technologies, computer software and simulation, systems analysis, environmental technologies, and testing and measurement.

ARA also provides products for environmental site characterization, pavement analysis, and robotics.

Learn more about who we are and what we do at

ARA offers competitive benefits addressing employees’ needs now and in the future. Learn more about benefits at

Interested? Go to  and apply to the Procurement Assistant position.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities. This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.