Supply Chain Associate

Job Title: Supply Chain Associate Job Description
The Supply Chain Associate plays a key role in supporting production planning, purchasing, and inventory management to ensure materials are available, production remains on schedule, and customers receive exceptional service. Working closely with the Supply Chain Analyst and Production Planner, this position maintains accurate ERP data, monitors supplier performance, supports inventory accuracy, and facilitates communication across multiple departments. As a primary backup for both the Supply Chain Manager and Production Planner, the Supply Chain Associate contributes directly to operational efficiency, continuous improvement, and the long-term success of a growing manufacturing operation.
Responsibilities
- Assist with daily production planning and scheduling activities to support on-time delivery and efficient operations.
- Release and maintain work orders within the ERP system to ensure accurate and timely production information.
- Monitor production priorities, identify potential scheduling issues, and communicate schedule updates to relevant stakeholders.
- Help ensure materials are available to meet production requirements by coordinating closely with internal teams and suppliers.
- Support planning activities that maximize operational efficiency and improve overall production performance.
- Create, maintain, and monitor purchase orders to support ongoing material and component requirements.
- Follow up with suppliers regarding order status, lead times, and deliveries to maintain reliable supply and minimize disruptions.
- Expedite critical materials and assist in resolving supply shortages to protect production schedules and customer commitments.
- Process receipts and maintain accurate inventory transactions within the ERP system to support real-time inventory visibility.
- Review open purchase orders regularly and identify items requiring follow-up or corrective action.
- Coordinate with Production, Warehouse, and Customer Service teams to resolve material availability issues and support customer needs.
- Maintain accurate purchasing and supplier information within the ERP system to support data integrity and effective decision-making.
- Serve as a backup for the Supply Chain Manager and Production Planner by supporting key planning and purchasing activities as needed.
- Contribute to continuous improvement initiatives within supply chain and operations, helping to refine processes and enhance efficiency.
- Support the preparation and analysis of operational data and reports to inform planning, purchasing, and inventory decisions.
Essential Skills
- Associate degree in Business, Supply Chain, Operations, or a related field, or equivalent manufacturing experience.
- Minimum of 2 years of experience in manufacturing, purchasing, production planning, customer service, or supply chain.
- Strong organizational and time management skills with the ability to manage multiple tasks effectively.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills for clear interaction with suppliers and internal teams.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Excel and the broader Microsoft Office suite.
- Strong attention to detail combined with effective problem-solving abilities.
- Ability to prioritize multiple responsibilities in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.
- Foundational knowledge of supply chain, procurement, and inventory processes.
Additional Skills & Qualifications
- Experience working with an ERP or MRP system; JobBoss and SAP experience are considered a plus.
- Manufacturing purchasing or production planning experience beyond the minimum requirements.
- Experience analyzing data and preparing operational reports to support decision-making.
- Knowledge of inventory control principles and best practices.
- Interest in developing expertise across supply chain and operations within a manufacturing environment.
- Ability to collaborate effectively as part of a small, focused supply chain team.
Work Environment
This position operates in a small office environment within a manufacturing setting, where approximately 35 employees work at the Iowa location and 25 at the Nebraska location. The supply chain team in Durant consists of two people, providing a close-knit, collaborative atmosphere with direct exposure to operations and leadership. The company is family-owned and places a strong emphasis on culture, flexibility, and work-life balance. Team members benefit from paid time off after 90 days of full-time employment and access to full benefits. The environment is fast-paced yet supportive, offering variety in day-to-day responsibilities, continuous learning opportunities, and the chance to make a meaningful impact on daily operations while working with ERP systems, production planning tools, and standard office technology.
Job Type & Location
This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Durant, IA.
Pay and Benefits
The pay range for this position is $18.00 - $20.00/hr. Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job-related factors. 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)
Workplace Type
This is a fully onsite position in Durant,IA.
Application Deadline
This position is anticipated to close on Oct 2, 2026.

About Aston Carter

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 [email protected] 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.