Purchasing Agent

Express Employment Professionals - Cincinnati East; San Diego (CA); On-site; USD 39,000 - 47,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid Time Off

Holiday Pay

Medical and Dental Reimbursement

401(k) Savings Plan

Paid Sick Time

Job summary

Express Employment Professionals in San Diego is seeking an experienced Purchasing Agent for a full-time, on-site role. You will manage the day-to-day purchasing process, vendor relations, and ensure materials are available when needed.

The ideal candidate is organized, detail-oriented, and proficient with ERP/inventory systems and Excel, with strong communication skills to coordinate with Operations, Warehouse, and Suppliers.

Qualifications

• Experience in purchasing, procurement, or related supply chain roles.
• Strong Excel skills and data accuracy.
• Experience with ERP or inventory management systems.
• Excellent organizational and prioritization abilities.

Responsibilities

• Review BOMs, inventory data, and production priorities to identify purchasing needs.
• Create and issue accurate purchase orders with part numbers and delivery dates.
• Manage open purchase orders from placement to delivery.
• Coordinate with vendors for confirmations, delivery dates, and order status.
• Expedite orders to support production.
• Maintain vendor records and pursue pricing or lead-time improvements.
• Provide Operations with status updates and risk assessments.
• Keep purchasing documentation organized.

Skills

Excel

Organizational skills

Attention to detail

Communication skills

Tools

ERP system

Inventory management system

Purchasing system

Job description

Purchasing Agent

Location: San Diego, CA
Schedule: Full-Time | On-Site
Pay: $28-$34/hour, depending on experience

Express Employment Professionals is seeking an experienced Purchasing Agent for a full-time opportunity with a growing manufacturing company in San Diego.

The Purchasing Agent will manage the day-to-day purchasing process from identifying material needs through successful delivery. This role goes beyond simply issuing purchase orders — we’re looking for someone who will actively manage vendors, maintain accurate purchasing records, monitor open orders, identify potential delays, and ensure materials are available when needed.

The ideal candidate is highly organized, detail-oriented, proactive, and comfortable working with part numbers, spreadsheets, inventory systems, and multiple competing priorities.

Key Responsibilities

• Review purchasing spreadsheets, Bills of Materials (BOMs), inventory information, and production priorities to determine purchasing needs
• Verify item information within the ERP/inventory system and maintain accurate item, vendor, pricing, and purchasing records
• Create and issue accurate purchase orders, including part numbers, quantities, pricing, terms, shipping locations, and requested delivery dates
• Manage open purchase orders from placement through delivery
• Obtain and track vendor confirmations, delivery dates, and order status
• Address price changes, substitutions, backorders, vendor questions, and other purchasing issues
• Expedite orders when necessary to support production requirements
• Prioritize long-lead and production-critical materials
• Proactively identify shortages and potential delays before they impact production
• Coordinate with Warehouse and Receiving teams to resolve shortages, damaged or incorrect products, packing slip discrepancies, credits, RMAs, and missing documentation
• Build and maintain productive vendor relationships
• Pursue improved pricing, payment terms, lead times, or alternative sourcing when appropriate
• Provide Operations with clear updates regarding purchasing status, risks, delays, and next steps
• Maintain accurate and organized purchasing documentation

Qualifications

• Previous purchasing, procurement, buyer, or related supply chain experience preferred
• Strong Microsoft Excel skills
• Experience working with ERP, inventory management, or purchasing systems
• Comfortable working with part numbers, pricing, inventory data, and detailed purchasing records
• Strong organizational and prioritization skills
• Excellent attention to detail and accuracy
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Proactive and persistent approach to vendor and order follow-up
• Ability to independently manage multiple open purchase orders and deadlines
• Strong problem-solving skills and ability to identify potential issues earlyCost-conscious with an understanding of balancing material availability and inventory levels
• Ability to work effectively with vendors and internal Operations, Warehouse, and Receiving teams

Preferred Experience

Experience in one or more of the following areas is a strong plus:

• Manufacturing purchasing or procurement
• Bills of Materials (BOMs)
• Inventory management
• Vendor negotiation
• ERP or inventory management systems
• Government contracting environments
• Production or supply chain operationsVendor sourcing and expediting

What Success Looks Like

The successful Purchasing Agent will take ownership of purchase orders from beginning to end. Purchasing and inventory records are accurate, open orders have current status and realistic delivery dates, and potential material shortages are identified early enough to address them.

This person will proactively follow up with vendors, resolve discrepancies, and keep Operations informed without needing repeated reminders. The goal is to ensure materials are available when needed while maintaining appropriate inventory levels and controlling costs.

Benefits

• Paid Time Off
• Holiday Pay
• Medical and Dental Reimbursement
• 401(k) Savings Plan
• Paid Sick Time

Professional References

Final candidates should be prepared to provide at least three professional references who can speak to their reliability, work ethic, quality of work, accountability, and teamwork.

What Makes Express Employment Professionals Different?

Express Employment Professionals is a local employment agency that has been helping people find great jobs in the San Diego area for over 20 years. We focus on helping people find permanent, long-term positions at some of the best companies in the area.

Express has a wide variety of jobs available, including:

• Light Industrial
• Skilled Trades
• Administrative
• Professional

Benefits of working with Express:

• Weekly Pay
• Medical, Dental, Vision, Short-Term Disability, and Life Insurance
• 401(K) Savings Plan
• Free Online Training