Application Guide

How to Apply for Purchasing Associate

at Oshkosh Corporation

🏢 About Oshkosh Corporation

Oshkosh Corporation is a global leader in designing and manufacturing innovative industrial technology that enhances safety and resilience for communities worldwide. Their remote-friendly culture and commitment to solving complex challenges make them an exciting place to build a career in supply chain.

About This Role

As a Purchasing Associate, you'll be the operational backbone of aftermarket purchasing, managing purchase orders, supplier communication, and invoice resolution. Your work directly supports service demand and ensures customers receive critical parts on time.

💡 A Day in the Life

You'll start by reviewing your queue of purchase orders and prioritizing expedites based on service urgency. Throughout the day, you'll communicate with suppliers to confirm delivery dates, resolve invoice discrepancies with AP/AR, and update order statuses in the system. You'll also collaborate with internal teams to ensure aftermarket demand is met without delays.

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Interview Prep

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🎯 Who Oshkosh Corporation Is Looking For

  • A detail-oriented recent graduate with a Bachelor's in Supply Chain or Business, who has completed an internship in purchasing or procurement.
  • Proficient in Excel (vlookups, pivot tables) and comfortable analyzing data to track order status and resolve discrepancies.
  • Strong communicator who can tactfully follow up with suppliers and collaborate with AP/AR teams.
  • Organized and proactive, with a knack for prioritizing expedites and deferrals in a fast-paced environment.

📝 Tips for Applying to Oshkosh Corporation

1

Tailor your resume to highlight any aftermarket or service parts purchasing experience, even from internships.

2

In your cover letter, mention specific Excel skills (e.g., VLOOKUP, pivot tables) and give an example of how you used them to solve a problem.

3

Research Oshkosh's product lines (e.g., JLG, Pierce) and mention how your role supports their aftermarket operations.

4

Emphasize your ability to manage multiple priorities—use a bullet in your resume like 'Coordinated 50+ purchase orders weekly with 98% on-time delivery'.

5

Apply with a clean, ATS-friendly resume format and include relevant keywords from the job description.

✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter

['Your understanding of the full procure-to-pay cycle and ability to manage purchase orders from creation to invoice resolution.', 'Specific examples of supplier communication and issue resolution from past internships or coursework.', "Your proficiency with Excel and how you've used it to track orders or analyze data.", "Your alignment with Oshkosh's mission of enhancing safety and resilience through reliable supply chain support."]

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🔍 Research Before Applying

To stand out, make sure you've researched:

  • → Read about Oshkosh's key brands (JLG, Pierce, Oshkosh Defense) and their aftermarket parts services.
  • → Look up recent news about Oshkosh's supply chain innovations or sustainability initiatives.
  • → Understand the company's remote work culture and tools they use for collaboration (e.g., Microsoft Teams, SAP).
  • → Review Oshkosh's core values: People First, Customer Driven, Drive Results, Innovate, Act with Integrity.

💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics

Based on this role, you may be asked about:

1 How would you prioritize multiple expedite requests from different customers?
2 Describe a time you resolved a discrepancy with a supplier or internal team.
3 Walk me through your process for managing a high volume of purchase orders.
4 How do you ensure accuracy when entering and tracking order data?
5 What do you know about Oshkosh's aftermarket business and why is it important?
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⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Submitting a generic resume that doesn't mention purchasing or supply chain experience.
  • Failing to demonstrate Excel proficiency—be ready to discuss specific functions you've used.
  • Overlooking the importance of aftermarket/service demand; show you understand it's different from direct production purchasing.

📅 Application Timeline

This position is open until filled. However, we recommend applying as soon as possible as roles at mission-driven organizations tend to fill quickly.

Typical hiring timeline:

1

Application Review

1-2 weeks

2

Initial Screening

Phone call or written assessment

3

Interviews

1-2 rounds, usually virtual

✓

Offer

Congratulations!

Ready to Apply?

Good luck with your application to Oshkosh Corporation!

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