Buyer - Temporary to Permanent

Catalyst Family Inc.; Morgan Hill (CA); On-site; USD 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, Dental, Vision Benefits

401(k) Retirement plan

Paid vacation, sick time and holidays

Employee assistance program (EAP)

Learning and growth opportunities

Job summary

Catalyst Family Inc. is seeking a Buyer to source, purchase, and negotiate pricing for goods and materials across field operations and offices.

The role focuses on aligning purchases with budgets, quality standards, and timelines while building vendor relationships and identifying cost-saving opportunities. Key responsibilities include managing requisitions and POs, assisting with month-end processes, vendor communications, and collaboration with Accounts Payable.

Qualifications

• Associate’s Degree required; experience can substitute education.
• 2-3 years of purchasing items and equipment preferred.
• Bachelor’s degree in supply chain or related field is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Prepare and review daily requisition reports; maintain purchase orders.
• Assist with month-end processes; process Purchasing credit card expense reports.
• Manage the Purchasing inbox and respond to inquiries from internal teams and vendors.
• Request quotes, negotiate pricing and terms, confirm order status, resolve discrepancies.
• Maintain documentation for bids, vendor forms, and purchasing records.
• Establish and manage vendor payment terms as directed.
• Identify purchasing needs with department representatives and resolve issues.
• Coordinate with Accounts Payable to process vouchers and resolve billing discrepancies.

Skills

Customer service

Relationship building

Verbal communication

Written communication

Negotiation

Cross-department collaboration

Planning and prioritization

Education

Associate’s Degree

Bachelor’s degree (supply chain, business or related)

Job description

The Buyer is responsible for sourcing, purchasing, and negotiating the pricing of goods and materials to support the needs of field operations and office locations across the organization. This role ensures that purchases align with budgetary goals, quality standards, and operational timelines. The Buyer builds and maintains relationships with vendors, identifies cost-saving opportunities, and monitors market trends to secure the best possible value. Through thoughtful procurement practices, the Buyer helps optimize inventory, control costs, and support the efficient delivery of services organization-wide.

Key Responsibilities:

• Prepare and review daily requisition reports; place and maintain purchase orders using appropriate payment methods.
• Assist with month-end processes, including processing Purchasing credit card expense reports and securing approvals for exceptional requisitions and transactions according to the closing schedule.
• Manage the Purchasing inbox and respond promptly to inquiries from internal teams and external vendors.
• Communicate with vendors to request quotes, check availability, negotiate pricing and terms, confirm order status, and resolve discrepancies efficiently.
• Maintain thorough and accurate documentation for bids, Vendor Selection Forms, and other purchasing-related records.
• Establish and manage vendor payment terms as directed.
• Partner with department and program representatives to identify purchasing needs and resolve related issues as they arise.
• Work closely with Accounts Payable to process vouchers and resolve billing discrepancies with suppliers and/or internal programs.
• Support and contribute to special ad hoc projects and tasks as assigned.

Required Qualifications: Experience in lieu of education will be counted as part of the formal education required.

• Associate’s Degree
• 2-3 years’ experience purchasing items and equipment

Preferred Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in supply chain management, business, or related discipline
• Prior experience in the education sector a plus.
• Strong customer service orientation and relationship-building skills.
• Ability to collaborate effectively across multiple departments and levels of management.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Strong influencing and negotiation abilities.
• Proven planning, organizational, and prioritization skills with the ability to manage competing deadlines.

Working Conditions:

• Generally pleasant working conditions.
• Duties involve little or no exertion or physical effort.

Shift Type: Full-Time, Temporary (Anticipated 6-month term with potential for permanent placement)

What We Offer:

• Medical, Dental, and Vision Benefits
• 401(k) Retirement plan and Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Personal Health Advocate
• Paid vacation, sick time, and holidays
• Discounted childcare
• Access to the Calm app
• Tickets at Work employee discounts
• Be constantly in a learning and growth process with training and professional growth advisory

We are proud to be an EEO/AA employer M/F/D/V. We maintain a drug-free workplace.