Senior Purchasing Agent

Primary Responsibilities

Lead sourcing, evaluation, and selection of trade partners and suppliers for assigned communities, divisions, or specialty scopes.

Independently manage complex bid processes, including scope development, bid analysis, negotiations, and contract awards.

Negotiate pricing, terms, and agreements to achieve cost, quality, and schedule objectives while maintaining strong vendor relationships.

Analyze cost drivers, market conditions, material changes, and construction requirements to inform purchasing strategy and recommendations.

Ensure purchasing data, contracts, scopes of work, and pricing are accurate and consistently maintained across procurement and ERP systems.

Partner with Construction, Estimating, Operations, and Design to validate scopes, support plan or product changes, and align purchasing decisions with build cycles.

Lead or contribute to value engineering initiatives, cost reduction efforts, and supplier optimization programs across multiple communities or product lines.

Resolve escalated trade partner issues related to pricing discrepancies, scope gaps, performance concerns, and contractual compliance.

Research and identify new suppliers, materials, or methods that enhance quality, competitiveness, or operational efficiency.

Serve as a resource to peers and cross-functional partners by providing guidance on purchasing processes, market conditions, and best practices.

Support purchasing process improvements, documentation standards, and system enhancements to strengthen efficiency, accuracy, and scalability.

Required Education & Experience

Minimum of 5 years of relevant purchasing, supply chain, or construction operations experience OR 9–11 years of equivalent experience.

Preferred Bachelor’s degree in Business, Supply Chain, Construction Management, or a related field.

Homebuilding or residential construction purchasing experience.

Experience leading complex scopes or multi-community purchasing portfolios.

Skills & Competencies

Advanced knowledge of purchasing practices, contract management, and construction procurement.

Strong negotiation skills with the ability to manage complex supplier relationships.

Analytical capability to evaluate multifaced issues, cost structures, and operational impacts.

Ability to influence stakeholders within and outside the purchasing function.

Effective communication skills, including presenting recommendations and resolving vendor disputes.

Proficiency with purchasing or ERP systems and advanced data analysis tools.

Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines.

Ability to interpret construction drawings, scopes of work, and material requirements.

Problem-solving skills using extensive experience and independent judgment.

Ability to mentor and guide team members on purchasing processes and best practices.