Purchasing Associate

Crestview Landscape Services Inc; Los Angeles (CA); On-site; USD 44,000 - 56,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical

Dental

Vision

Vacation Time

Paid Holiday

Sick Pay

Job summary

Crestview Landscape Services Inc is seeking a Purchasing Associate in Los Angeles, CA. The role supports the full procurement lifecycle for landscape projects, ensuring accurate budgets, timely sourcing, and compliant submittals.

Bilingual Spanish is required, with attention to detail in a fast-paced environment. The position reports to the Purchasing Manager in the Finance department and offers a full-time, non-exempt classification with a wage range demonstrated in the posting.

Qualifications

• Bilingual Spanish speaker required.
• Proven organizational skills and accuracy in purchase cycles.
• Experience with budgeting, cost control, and procurement processes.
• Ability to negotiate with vendors for best value.
• Familiarity with Sage or similar ERP systems.

Responsibilities

• Review project budgets and procure materials before jobs begin.
• Coordinate submittals and material substitutions to meet project needs.
• Source materials and negotiate with vendors for pricing and delivery.
• Generate and manage POs aligned with budgets and approvals.
• Track costs, flag overruns, and identify savings opportunities.
• Coordinate deliveries to align with project schedules and crews.
• Verify receipt of materials and document discrepancies.
• Support yard/inventory management to optimize stock use.

Skills

Bilingual Spanish

Attention to detail

Budgeting

Vendor negotiation

Procurement

Sage

Tools

Sage

Job description

Purchasing Associate

Department: Finance

Reports To: Purchasing Manager

Classification: Full-Time | Non-Exempt

Range $21.00 -$27.00

POSITION SUMMARY

Crestview Landscape is seeking a detail-oriented, highly organized, Bilingual ( Spanish Speaker) and driven Purchasing Associate to support the full procurement lifecycle across our landscape operations. This role is central to the profitability and efficiency of every project we execute. The ideal candidate brings a strong passion for compliance, support, and change initiatives to drive efficiency and effectiveness. Someone who thrives in a fast-paced environment where priorities shift, deadlines are real, and accuracy matters.

CORE RESPONSIBILITIES

Budget Review & Project Procurement Planning

Review original project estimates and budgets prior to job commencement to understand material and supply requirements.

Collaborate with estimating, project managers, and field staff in confirming those materials, supplies, & outside services required for each project's success.

Identify procurement timelines and flag long-lead items early to avoid project delays.

Maintain awareness of all active project budgets and remaining purchasing requirements.

Submittals

Assist in the handling of the submittal process of sold projects

Prepare material submittals based upon the project plans, drawings, contract proposal, and company preferences.

Present submittals to clients and document the approval process

Actively push for those material substitutions that the company feel are superior in nature, consistently used by our crews, more readily available, sold by our preferred vendors & suppliers, and that can generate savings.

As the Purchasing Associate, owning the submittal process is key since you will ultimately be purchasing those items that you get approved.

Sourcing & Vendor Management

Source materials, plants, equipment, and supplies from qualified vendors, nurseries, and suppliers.

Solicit competitive bids and pricing from multiple vendors; evaluate total cost including delivery, quality, and reliability.

Establish and maintain strong working relationships with preferred vendors and identify backup sources for critical materials.

Continuously evaluate the vendor base - recommending additions, changes, or removals based on performance, pricing, and reliability.

Negotiate pricing, volume discounts, payment terms, and delivery schedules to maximize value for Crestview Landscape.

Update parts pricing in Sage on a consistent basis based upon the costs being paid to vendors.

Purchase Order Management

Ensure master purchase orders are maintained and utilized for all partial orders as a way for the company to accurately know what has been purchased and what is remaining.

Generate accurate and complete purchase orders using company parts and assemblies.

Ensure all POs align with project budgets, job numbers, and approval authority levels.

Manage open POs proactively - following up on outstanding orders and resolving discrepancies before they become problems.

Budget Tracking & Cost Control

Update budgets throughout the procurement & purchasing process based upon actual costs incurred or to be incurred. Accurate budgets at all times are critical in the company knowing how much revenue is "earned" each month based upon actual costs incurred.

Notify the production teams when budget changes have been entered.

Flag budget impacts immediately & work with project managers to identify corrective actions.

Identify and report potential cost overruns before they impact project profitability.

Identify and report potential cost savings / value engineering options that could save money.

Delivery Coordination

Coordinate delivery schedules with vendors to align with project timelines and field crew needs.

Communicate delivery windows to field superintendents, project managers, and yard staff in advance.

Manage last-minute delivery changes, substitutions, and expedited orders as field conditions require.

Ensure delivery logistics minimize crew downtime and keep projects on schedule.

Receiving & Verification

Confirm receipt of all materials and supplies - verifying quantity, quality, and condition against purchase orders.

Document and elevate discrepancies, shortages, or damaged goods immediately.

Coordinate returns, credits, and replacements with vendors in a timely manner.

Track vendor performance in terms of on time, accurate, and quality of material deliveries.

Inventory & Yard Management Support

Coordinate with the yard and warehouse team on stored materials & supplies and work to utilize those items on current / future orders.

Identify opportunities to consolidate purchases and reduce carrying costs.

SKILLS, COMPETENCIES & PERSONAL ATTRIBUTES

Organizational Excellence

Ability to manage multiple projects, vendors, and open orders simultaneously without dropping the ball.

Maintains clean, accurate, and accessible records at all times - digital and physical.

Proactively builds systems & checklists to stay ahead of the workload rather than react to it.

Accuracy & Attention to Detail

Double-checks quantities, specs, unit pricing, and delivery details before issuing any PO.

Catches errors before they leave the desk - not after they arrive on the job site.

Sense of Urgency

Treats every open order & pending delivery as if the job depends on it - because it does.

Does not wait to be reminded. Follows up proactively, confirms details, & drives things to closure.

Understands that in the landscape business, delays cost money, can drive inefficiencies, result in lost labor productivity, and potentially damage client relationships.

Adaptability & Grace Under Pressure

Comfortable working in an environment where priorities shift, last-minute changes are common, and the unexpected is expected.

Able to pivot quickly without losing accuracy or composure.

Finds solutions - not reasons why something cannot be done.

Communication & Collaboration

Communicates clearly and professionally with vendors, field crews, project managers, and company leadership.

Keeps staff informed of order status, delivery timelines, and any issues affecting the job.

Listen well, asks the right questions, and confirms understanding before acting.

Negotiation & Commercial Awareness

Understands the value of a dollar and negotiates accordingly - without damaging vendor relationships.

Looks beyond unit price to evaluate true cost: delivery, reliability, quality, vendor relationship, terms, discounts, rebates, lead time, etc.

Understands how purchasing decisions directly affect project margins & impact profitability.

Technology Proficiency

Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite, particularly Excel for budget tracking and reporting.

Experience with project management or ERP/accounting software (landscape or construction platforms a plus).

Ability to learn and adopt new tools and systems as the company grows and evolves.

Benefits

• Medical


• Dental


• Vision


• Vacation Time


• Paid Holiday


• Sick Pay

Minimum 3 years of purchasing, procurement, landscaping, or supply chain experience.

Bilingual Spanish Speaker

Demonstrated ability to manage multiple concurrent tasks and activities at one time.

Strong written and verbal communication skills.

Proven track record of accuracy and follow-through in a fast-paced environment.

Preferred

• Prior experience in the landscape, horticulture, nursery, or construction industry strongly preferred.


• Familiarity with landscape materials including plants, hardscape products, irrigation supplies, and site amenities.