Purchasing Agent

** Department:
** Purchasing and Supply Chain

*
* Reports To:

** General Plant Manager

We are seeking an experienced Purchasing Agent to support purchasing, procurement, and material planning activities for a manufacturing operation in Corona, CA. This role is responsible for ensuring the timely and cost effective procurement of materials, components, and services needed to support production schedules, inventory objectives, and overall business operations.

The ideal candidate will have strong experience in purchasing, supplier management, MRP systems, ERP data management, and procurement coordination within a manufacturing or industrial environment. This position works closely with Production, Engineering, Inventory, Warehouse, Quality, and supplier partners to support material availability, resolve supply risks, and improve overall supply chain performance.

This role may support multiple nearby facilities located approximately five miles apart.

• Manage purchasing activities and procurement execution to support production schedules, material requirements, inventory goals, and operational needs.
• Lead supplier communication and negotiate pricing, lead times, delivery schedules, and purchasing terms to support cost effective procurement and strong supplier performance.
• Manage open purchase orders and material commitments while monitoring order status, identifying supply risks, and ensuring material availability aligns with production requirements.
• Evaluate supplier performance, delivery reliability, responsiveness, quality, and service levels. Partner with vendors to resolve issues and improve supplier performance.
• Analyze material shortages, supply constraints, and procurement risks. Develop solutions to minimize operational disruptions and maintain continuity of supply.
• Coordinate with Inventory and Warehouse teams to align purchasing activities with inventory levels, material requirements, incoming shipments, and ERP data accuracy.
• Use Material Requirements Planning systems to support purchasing decisions, inventory alignment, forecasting activities, and production schedules.
• Review and validate purchase requirements, specifications, quantities, sourcing options, and supplier selections before order placement.
• Collaborate cross functionally with Production, Engineering, Inventory, Quality, Warehouse, and other departments to support material flow, project requirements, and operational goals.
• Support vendor management activities, including vendor setup, supplier performance tracking, pricing updates, return material authorizations, and procurement documentation.
• Maintain accurate purchasing records, supplier information, procurement reports, and ERP system data.
• Prepare and analyze purchasing data, supplier performance metrics, inventory information, and operational reports to support decision making, continuous improvement, and supply chain performance.

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Supply Chain, Operations, Procurement, or a related field required.
• Three to five years of purchasing, procurement, supply chain, or material planning experience in a manufacturing or industrial environment.
• Three to five years of experience managing supplier relationships, including pricing negotiations, lead time management, delivery performance, and procurement coordination.
• Three to five years of experience using ERP and Material Requirements Planning systems to support purchasing, inventory alignment, and material planning. SAP experience is preferred.
• Experience analyzing purchasing data, supplier performance, inventory requirements, and material availability to support operational decisions.
• Strong communication, negotiation, organization, and problem solving skills.
• Ability to manage multiple suppliers, purchase orders, deadlines, and material requirements with accuracy and accountability.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office, including Excel and Outlook, as well as ERP systems and reporting tools.
• Ability to read, write, and speak English is required. Bilingual English and Spanish is preferred.
• Experience supporting low voltage switch gear, medium voltage switch gear, electrical equipment manufacturing, or other industrial manufacturing environments is preferred.

The successful candidate will bring strong skills in procurement management, purchasing execution, supplier communication, negotiation, material planning, MRP utilization, inventory alignment, supply risk analysis, ERP data management, and cross functional collaboration.

This role requires a detail oriented professional who can evaluate purchasing needs, compare supplier options, analyze pricing and lead times, resolve procurement issues, and support continuous improvement across purchasing and supply chain processes.

This is a full time, exempt position with typical business hours. Additional time may be required as needed to meet operational demands.

The position operates primarily in an…