Purchasing Agent

Caltech; Pasadena (CA); On-site; USD 69,000 - 76,000; Full time

Job summary

Caltech seeks a Purchasing Agent to manage procurement activities for various divisions. This role involves evaluating bids, negotiating contracts, and ensuring compliance with purchasing policies. Ideal candidates will possess a Bachelor’s degree and have strong negotiation skills. Join a reputable institution committed to excellence.

Benefits

Competitive compensation

Health, dental, and vision insurance

Retirement savings plans

Generous paid time off

Tuition reimbursement

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience in procurement.
• Strong organizational and communication skills.
• Experience in negotiation and problem-solving in procurement.

Responsibilities

• Handles procurements of supplies, equipment, and services.
• Prepares competitive procurement justifications and conducts market research.
• Administers negotiations of terms and conditions for procurement.

Skills

Negotiation

Problem Solving

Communication

Education

Bachelor’s degree

4-6 years of relevant work experience

Tools

Word processing software

Spreadsheets

Database applications

Email applications

Job description

Caltech is a world-renowned science and engineering institute that marshals some of the world's brightest minds and most innovative tools to address fundamental scientific questions. We thrive on finding and cultivating talented people who are passionate about what they do. Join us and be a part of the diverse Caltech community.

Job Summary

The Purchasing Agent will report to the Purchasing Services Contracting Manager and is a key member of the purchasing team. The Purchasing Agent performs all tasks necessary in implementing purchasing activities in compliance with Caltech’s Policies and Procedures, to acquire goods and services for one or more departments / divisions and will provide general purchase order administration.

Primary duties include :

• Handles a wide range of procurements of supplies, equipment, and services ranging from moderate to high financial exposure.
• Communicates with suppliers and internal customers to develop technically sound procurement documents.
• Evaluates sourcing, bid and order documentation (requisitions, change orders, quotes).
• Initiates, monitors, amends, and closes out standard and declining balance purchase orders.
• Prepares competitive and non-competitive procurement justifications, including market research.
• Performs cost or price analyses and recommends options that best meet the customer requirements.
• Administers negotiations of terms and conditions for each procurement and ensures all applicable purchasing documents accommodate each procurement according to internal and external audit requirements.
• Works under general supervision of the Purchasing Services Contracting Manager(s) and the management team.
• Processes and reconciles P-Card transactions.
• Presents procurement information on administrative procedures, processes, services, regulations, etc. for the purpose of training and teaching Campus personnel.
• Participates in team meetings, in-service training, and workshops for the purpose of gathering and relaying information to perform job duties.
• Reviews and becomes knowledgeable on purchasing-related information / processes for the purpose of providing information to and educating the Campus.

Special Assignments may include, but not limited to :

• Provides procurement presentations to Campus on an as needed basis.
• Works with the Support Team to aide in communicating relevant Procurement news to the Campus quarterly.
• Participates in Purchasing’s Supplier Relations Committee, which seeks to foster and build relationships among Caltech’s e-procurement catalog suppliers and Campus customers.

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or 4-6 years of relevant work experience.
• The selected candidate must pass a pre-employment background investigation to be hired for this position.

Preferred Qualifications

• NCMA membership is a plus.
• Experience in higher education is preferred.
• Candidate must be proficient in various software applications (word processing, spreadsheets, database, email, networked server applications).
• Excellent organization, interpersonal and written communication skills with strong customer focus.
• Excellent negotiation, problem solving, presentation and leadership skills.
• The candidate must be self-driven with the ability to work as part of a team or independently as an individual contributor.
• Candidate must be confident with public speaking and provide structured training classes.
• Experience with government procurement and government property accountability is a plus.

Required Documents

• Resume.

Hiring Range

69,600 - $75,400 Per Year

The salary of the finalist(s) selected for this role will be set based on a variety of factors, including but not limited to, internal equity, experience, education, specialty and training.

As one of the largest employers in Pasadena, CA, Caltech is committed to providing comprehensive benefits to eligible employees and their eligible dependents. Our benefits package includes competitive compensation, health, dental, and vision insurance, retirement savings plans, generous paid time off (vacation, holidays, sick time, parental leave, bereavement, etc.), tuition reimbursement, and more. Non-benefit eligible employees will have access to some benefits such as onsite counseling and sick time. Learn more about our and .

EEO Statement

We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, or national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Caltech is a VEVRAA Federal Contractor.

To read more Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) go to .

Disability Accommodations

If you would like to request an accommodation in completing this application, interviewing, or otherwise participating in the employee selection process, please direct your inquiries to Caltech Recruiting at .