Role: Purchasing / Administrative Assistant (Entry Level - Mid Level)
The Purchasing / Administrative Assistant provides daily purchasing and administrative support for Sun Gro facilities. This entry-level role is responsible for creating purchase orders, updating system data, communicating with suppliers, and maintaining accurate records in Microsoft Business Central (BC). The position requires strong Excel skills, attention to detail, and basic analytical abilities to support purchasing tasks, resolve discrepancies, and assist internal teams.
Benefits
Job Responsibilities
• Create and process purchase orders for raw materials, MRO supplies, and services
• Review MRP/forecast reports to identify upcoming material needs and communicate potential shortages
• Maintain accurate item data, pricing, vendor records, and reorder points in Microsoft Business Central
• Update and monitor spreadsheets tracking open orders, inventory, deliveries, and costs
• Communicate with suppliers regarding order updates, confirmations, and documentation
• Collect vendor quotes and perform basic price and delivery comparisons using Excel
• Assist with collecting and organizing supplier onboarding documentation
• Match invoices, packing slips, and purchase orders; identify discrepancies and assist with resolution
• Track invoice issues, missing documents, or outstanding approvals
• Maintain organized purchasing files and documentation for audits or internal reviews
• Coordinate with operations and receiving teams to verify deliveries and update system records
• Report basic quality or quantity issues to the purchasing team
• Provide purchasing documentation as needed for Safety, Quality, or Operations
• Perform data entry, filing, scanning, and document management
• Prepare Excel-based reports such as open PO lists, vendor logs, delivery schedules, or cost comparisons
• Provide administrative support to purchasing, operations, and site leadership
Qualifications
• Strong Excel skills (basic formulas, sorting/filtering; pivot tables preferred)
• Ability to organize, clean, and maintain datasets
• Analytical skills to review inventory levels, compare supplier quotes, and identify data inconsistencies
• Excellent attention to detail and accuracy in data entry
• Strong organizational and time-management skills
• Effective written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to follow direction and carry out specific instructions
• Fluent in verbal and written English
• Ability to learn ERP/MRP systems, especially Microsoft Business Central
• Positive, proactive attitude with a willingness to learn and take initiative
• Ability to work effectively with suppliers, operations, and internal teams
• Professional, dependable, and able to maintain confidentiality
• Ability to sit or stand for extended periods while performing computer-based work
• Ability to lift up to 20 pounds for handling office files or materials
**This is a safety sensitive position**
About Us
Sun Gro Horticulture is one of the most prominent North American horticultural companies, employing over 800 staff and serving customers worldwide. Since its humble beginnings in 1929, it has become the leading supplier of soilless growing mixes to North America’s top 100 greenhouse and nursery growers, shipping over 70,000 truckloads of product annually. Sun Gro products are made to exacting standards and conform to high product quality and performance criteria.
Who We Are
Sun Gro Horticulture’s mission is to be an industry leading Growing Media Company in soilless growing mixes, serving horticultural professionals, retailers, and gardeners with superior quality, branded growing mixes that yield exceptional results.
Services
Industry leading technical and sales support sets Sun Gro Horticulture apart. Our dedicated sales team serves national and international customers and a dedicated Customer Care Center that operates in every major North American time zone. As an added benefit, Sun Gro’s exemplary Research & Development and Technical Support teams are on call to help professional growers troubleshoot and make the most of Sun Gro products.
Employees & Jobs
Over 300 employees serve Sun Gro Horticulture industries and communities across North America. Our many scientists, technicians, managers, facilities workers, and sales professionals are the heart of our company. We operate a network of 20 production/distribution facilities across Canada and the United States and take pride in the high-quality jobs that we offer everyday people in small towns and rural areas. In turn, we are exceedingly proud of our team of employees who make it a priority every day to carry out Sun Gro’s stewardship of peatlands, ensuring that this abundant resource will be available for future generations. We are the industry leader in bog restoration/reclamation.
