Entry Level Purchasing and Inventory Manager Jobs
New grad purchasing and inventory manager jobs attract recent graduates and entry level candidates with zero to two years of experience, where strong internship work or hands-on coursework in supply chain can matter more than a lengthy resume. Most openings are on-site roles across Food & Beverage, Education, and Science & Research, with employers like Jobot, Uline, and Sodexo hiring at this level now.
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Showing 5 of 20+ Entry Level Purchasing and Inventory Manager jobs
Buyer
Location: Plymouth, MI
Company: Optimal-EV
Employment Type: Full-Time
Start: Immediate / ASAP
About Optimal-EV
Optimal-EV is an innovative electric vehicle manufacturer focused on developing and producing next-generation electric shuttle buses and mobility solutions. We are seeking an experienced Buyer to join our team in Plymouth, Michigan and support our growing manufacturing and purchasing operations.
Position Summary
The Buyer will be responsible for purchasing a broad range of materials, components, parts, and services required to support Optimal-EV's manufacturing and engineering operations.
The ideal candidate will have at least 2-3 years of purchasing experience in an automotive supplier, manufacturing, or small-to-mid-sized business environment. We are particularly interested in candidates who have broad purchasing experience and have been involved with multiple types of materials, components, suppliers, and purchasing activities.
Experience with NetSuite is preferred but not required.
Key Responsibilities
- Manage day-to-day purchasing activities for production, engineering, and operational requirements.
- Purchase a variety of materials, components, parts, and services needed to support manufacturing operations.
- Create and manage purchase orders, ensuring accurate pricing, quantities, specifications, and delivery requirements.
- Identify and evaluate suppliers based on cost, quality, delivery, and capability.
- Request and evaluate supplier quotes and negotiate pricing, lead times, and commercial terms.
- Communicate directly with suppliers regarding pricing, availability, delivery schedules, quality concerns, and other purchasing matters.
- Monitor open purchase orders and proactively address late or delayed deliveries.
- Work closely with Engineering and Manufacturing teams to understand material requirements, specifications, and timing.
- Review BOMs, part numbers, material requirements, and other purchasing information.
- Coordinate with suppliers to ensure materials are available when needed to support production schedules.
- Partner with Quality and suppliers to resolve material and supplier-related issues.
- Maintain accurate purchasing records, supplier information, and purchase order data.
- Support supplier onboarding and maintain strong supplier relationships.
- Monitor material availability and help prevent production shortages.
- Identify opportunities for cost savings and improved purchasing efficiency.
- Support inventory and material planning activities.
- Assist with developing and maintaining supplier performance metrics.
- Ensure purchasing activities follow company policies and established processes.
- Take ownership of purchasing issues and drive them through resolution.
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in Business, Supply Chain, Purchasing, Operations, Engineering, or a related field.
- Minimum of 2-3 years of purchasing, buying, procurement, or related experience.
- Experience working in an automotive supplier, manufacturing company, or small-to-mid-sized business environment.
- Strong understanding of purchasing processes, supplier management, purchase orders, pricing, lead times, and material requirements.
- Demonstrated experience managing multiple purchasing categories, suppliers, and components.
- Strong negotiation, communication, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
- Ability to work independently and take ownership of purchasing activities.
- Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.
- Strong attention to detail and follow-through.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office, particularly Excel.
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience with NetSuite or another ERP/MRP system.
- Automotive manufacturing or automotive supplier experience.
- Experience purchasing a broad range of mechanical, electrical, fabricated, machined, or other manufacturing components.
- Experience working with engineering drawings, BOMs, part numbers, and material specifications.
- Experience with supplier cost negotiations and cost-reduction initiatives.
- Experience supporting new product development or production launches.
- Knowledge of EV manufacturing and/or electric vehicle components is a plus.
Ideal Candidate Profile
We are looking for a hands-on Buyer who has broad exposure to purchasing and understands how purchasing decisions directly impact manufacturing operations.
Candidates coming from automotive suppliers, contract manufacturers, or small-to-mid-sized manufacturing companies are strongly preferred because these environments typically provide broader exposure to different commodities, suppliers, components, and purchasing activities.
The ideal candidate should be comfortable wearing multiple hats, working directly with suppliers, supporting Engineering and Manufacturing, resolving material shortages, negotiating pricing, and taking ownership from purchase order placement through delivery.
Hiring Timeline
This is an immediate hiring need, and we are looking to fill this position ASAP. We are prepared to interview qualified candidates throughout next week and move quickly with the right candidate.
Buyer
Location: Plymouth, MI
Company: Optimal-EV
Employment Type: Full-Time
Start: Immediate / ASAP
About Optimal-EV
Optimal-EV is an innovative electric vehicle manufacturer focused on developing and producing next-generation electric shuttle buses and mobility solutions. We are seeking an experienced Buyer to join our team in Plymouth, Michigan and support our growing manufacturing and purchasing operations.
Position Summary
The Buyer will be responsible for purchasing a broad range of materials, components, parts, and services required to support Optimal-EV's manufacturing and engineering operations.
The ideal candidate will have at least 2-3 years of purchasing experience in an automotive supplier, manufacturing, or small-to-mid-sized business environment. We are particularly interested in candidates who have broad purchasing experience and have been involved with multiple types of materials, components, suppliers, and purchasing activities.
Experience with NetSuite is preferred but not required.
Key Responsibilities
- Manage day-to-day purchasing activities for production, engineering, and operational requirements.
- Purchase a variety of materials, components, parts, and services needed to support manufacturing operations.
- Create and manage purchase orders, ensuring accurate pricing, quantities, specifications, and delivery requirements.
- Identify and evaluate suppliers based on cost, quality, delivery, and capability.
- Request and evaluate supplier quotes and negotiate pricing, lead times, and commercial terms.
- Communicate directly with suppliers regarding pricing, availability, delivery schedules, quality concerns, and other purchasing matters.
- Monitor open purchase orders and proactively address late or delayed deliveries.
- Work closely with Engineering and Manufacturing teams to understand material requirements, specifications, and timing.
- Review BOMs, part numbers, material requirements, and other purchasing information.
- Coordinate with suppliers to ensure materials are available when needed to support production schedules.
- Partner with Quality and suppliers to resolve material and supplier-related issues.
- Maintain accurate purchasing records, supplier information, and purchase order data.
- Support supplier onboarding and maintain strong supplier relationships.
- Monitor material availability and help prevent production shortages.
- Identify opportunities for cost savings and improved purchasing efficiency.
- Support inventory and material planning activities.
- Assist with developing and maintaining supplier performance metrics.
- Ensure purchasing activities follow company policies and established processes.
- Take ownership of purchasing issues and drive them through resolution.
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in Business, Supply Chain, Purchasing, Operations, Engineering, or a related field.
- Minimum of 2-3 years of purchasing, buying, procurement, or related experience.
- Experience working in an automotive supplier, manufacturing company, or small-to-mid-sized business environment.
- Strong understanding of purchasing processes, supplier management, purchase orders, pricing, lead times, and material requirements.
- Demonstrated experience managing multiple purchasing categories, suppliers, and components.
- Strong negotiation, communication, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
- Ability to work independently and take ownership of purchasing activities.
- Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.
- Strong attention to detail and follow-through.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office, particularly Excel.
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience with NetSuite or another ERP/MRP system.
- Automotive manufacturing or automotive supplier experience.
- Experience purchasing a broad range of mechanical, electrical, fabricated, machined, or other manufacturing components.
- Experience working with engineering drawings, BOMs, part numbers, and material specifications.
- Experience with supplier cost negotiations and cost-reduction initiatives.
- Experience supporting new product development or production launches.
- Knowledge of EV manufacturing and/or electric vehicle components is a plus.
Ideal Candidate Profile
We are looking for a hands-on Buyer who has broad exposure to purchasing and understands how purchasing decisions directly impact manufacturing operations.
Candidates coming from automotive suppliers, contract manufacturers, or small-to-mid-sized manufacturing companies are strongly preferred because these environments typically provide broader exposure to different commodities, suppliers, components, and purchasing activities.
The ideal candidate should be comfortable wearing multiple hats, working directly with suppliers, supporting Engineering and Manufacturing, resolving material shortages, negotiating pricing, and taking ownership from purchase order placement through delivery.
Hiring Timeline
This is an immediate hiring need, and we are looking to fill this position ASAP. We are prepared to interview qualified candidates throughout next week and move quickly with the right candidate.
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Who's Hiring
Top Industries Hiring
- Food & Beverage
- Education
- Science & Research
- Technology & Software
- Automotive
Entry Level Purchasing and Inventory Manager Jobs: Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get an entry level purchasing and inventory manager job?
Employers at this level look for candidates who understand basic procurement and inventory concepts, ideally from coursework, internships, or part-time warehouse or logistics work. Familiarity with spreadsheet tools, enterprise resource planning software, or inventory management systems gives you a clear edge. Highlighting any hands-on experience with purchase orders, vendor communication, or stock tracking in your resume helps you stand out against other early-career applicants.
Which companies hire entry level purchasing and inventory managers?
Companies hiring entry level purchasing and inventory managers right now include Jobot, Uline, and Sodexo, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. At this level, manufacturers, distributors, retailers, and healthcare suppliers tend to be the most active, since those sectors depend on consistent inventory turnover and often build internal teams from junior talent.
Are there remote entry level purchasing and inventory manager jobs?
Yes, though most roles at this level are on-site given the hands-on nature of inventory work. About 23% of entry level purchasing and inventory manager openings are remote or hybrid as of November 2026, and those roles tend to focus on purchasing coordination or procurement support rather than physical stock management. Filtering your search by work setting helps you find the arrangement that fits.
Are these new grad purchasing and inventory manager jobs?
Yes, this page includes new grad, recent graduate, and junior purchasing and inventory manager roles alongside other entry level listings. A posting is typically new-grad friendly when it welcomes zero to two years of experience, accepts internships or relevant coursework in place of full-time history, or mentions training or mentorship. If a listing does not require prior professional experience, it is generally open to new grads.
Which industries hire the most entry level purchasing and inventory managers?
Entry Level purchasing and inventory manager roles concentrate in Food & Beverage, Education, and Science & Research, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. Those sectors drive the most junior hiring because they run high-volume supply chains that constantly need early-career professionals to support procurement cycles, track stock levels, and coordinate with vendors under senior supervision.