Senior Purchasing Agent

Gilbane Building; Columbus (OH); On-site; USD 94,900 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Gilbane Building is seeking a Sr. Purchasing Agent to manage the purchasing process for a mega-project or multiple projects in Ohio. You will lead bid development, contract administration, and supplier relationships to ensure on-time, on-budget delivery.

Qualifications include a Bachelor’s degree in a related field and 8+ years purchasing/construction experience. The role involves strategic DOSB utilization and risk-aware decision making in a dynamic team environment.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree inEngineering/Construction Management or similar field.
• 8+ years of experience managing/purchasing construction trade contractors.
• Equivalent combination of education and experience acceptable.

Responsibilities

• Oversee bid packages from kickoff to award; manage bid strategy and reviews.
• Administer contracts and procurement change orders; ensure compliance.
• Monitor market conditions, trade contractors, and costs.
• Support DOSB utilization strategy through preconstruction.
• Develop and maintain relationships with trade partners and vendors.
• Expand local trade partner networks and DOSB partners across tiers.
• Advise on contract awards based on strategic needs of projects.
• Coach operations staff on purchasing processes and training.

Skills

Negotiation

Public speaking

Contract risk mgmt

DOSB strategy

VDC procurement

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Construction Management, or similar technical field

Job description

Overview

Gilbane is seeking a Sr. Purchasing Agent to be accountable for the purchasing process of a mega-project or multiple projects.

Who are we?

As a Top-10 ENR Contractor, Gilbane is a family-owned business with 45 offices that has been shaping communities since 1870. Consistently recognized as one of the most reputable construction management firms in the country, Gilbane is committed to delivering projects safely and on‑time. You will have the opportunity to build schools, labs, hospitals, corporate offices, sports arenas and more!

We are dedicated to building a diverse, inclusive and authentic workplace, so if you’re excited about this role but your past experience doesn’t align perfectly with every qualification in the job description, we encourage you to apply anyway. You may be just the right candidate for this or other roles.

Who are you?

You are someone who acts inclusively, showing empathy and treating others with respect and dignity in order to uphold Gilbane’s core value of Caring and “People First” workplace culture. You seek to listen in order to understand and can convey information clearly. You’re a strong problem solver who can identify, prioritize, and implement alternatives for solutions, and you demonstrate adaptability by collaborating with others and supporting team members to achieve excellence. A self‑starter who shows passion, commitment, and ownership all while delivering on business outcomes and driving results. You’re someone who identifies opportunities for new and improved ways of doing things that result in value‑add solutions. Your core values match Gilbane’s: Integrity, Caring, Teamwork, Toughmindedness, Dedication to Excellence, Discipline, Loyalty, and Entrepreneurship.

What’s in it for you?

Gilbane offers employees multi‑dimensional training opportunities through a number of resources. While managing your responsibilities to projects, you will be able to enroll in trainings through our award‑winning Gilbane University to build leadership and technical skills. In addition, you would work with an experienced team which provides you with the opportunity to learn new industry skills every day. You will protect and promote the interests of both Gilbane and the client in all matters as well as demonstrating the personal characteristics of a developing leader.

Responsibilities

• Manages multiple projects for the bid process from project kickoff to award including system set‑up, bid package strategy, Project Manual creation, bid list management, draft, and review the bid package scope of work bid meetings, bid leveling, and recommendation to award
• Manages multiple projects for the contract process including preparing and entering contracts and procurement change orders, expediting negotiation of contract terms, and ensuring contract compliance
• Identifies and monitors current market conditions, Trade Contractors, trends, and costs
• Identifies opportunities and assists in the creation of strategy for the Diverse Owned Small Business (DOSB) utilization through the preconstruction process
• Develops relationships with Trade Contractors, Vendors, and Jobsite Personnel; manages established relationships across multiple projects while supporting internal and external customers
• Assists with developing a Master Bid List including expanding local Trade Partner networks and identifying DOSB partners across all tiers
• Recommends direction and decisions regarding the award of contracts based upon any strategic needs of multiple projects or of the Business Unit (BU)
• Provides guidance and coaching to operations personnel regarding purchasing process including during project activities, while teaching GU coursework, and during local peer group/ESG engagements
• Assists in training of department personnel
• Assists in developing a departmental budget, manages the budget, and assigns projects to it
• Assists in developing long term strategic planning and contingency plans while taking global issues into account
• Manages Trade Partner risk mitigation strategy and execution by coordinating with the operations teams, risk management team, and executive leadership team
• Effectively manages all relationships and quickly isolates the elevation risks
• Coaches and mentors less experienced team members
• Supports a positive and inclusive work environment

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Construction Management, or similar technical field
• 8+ years of experience managing/purchasing/procuring work of construction Trade Contractors
• Or equivalent combination of education and experience

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Strong negotiation and conflict resolution skills
• Proficient in public speaking and ability to lead meetings with confidence
• Knowledge of construction law, contract, and risk management, and identifying the impacts of design responsibility on Trade Contracts
• Knowledge of insurance including the various delivery models
• Ability to drive risk mitigation plans by coordinating with risk management and knowledge of SDI, bonds, safety metrics, etc.
• Knowledge of the estimating process and the most efficient engagement of purchasing in the process
• Knowledge of incorporating DOSB strategy into the procurement process
• Ability to ensure effective procurement of VDC
• Knowledge of the value of material and equipment status tracking

Salary to be determined based on factors such as geographic location, skills, education, and/or experience of the applicant, as well as the internal equity and alignment with the team. For Ohio this ranges from $94,900-$130,000 plus benefits and retirement program.

Gilbane offers an excellent total compensation package which includes competitive health and welfare benefits and a generous profit‑sharing/401(k) plan. We invest in our employees’ education and have built Gilbane University into a top training organization in the construction industry. Qualified applicants who are offered a position must pass a pre‑employment substance abuse test.

Gilbane is an affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, color, national origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, protected veteran status, or disability status. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential job functions.