Purchasing Agent

PACIFIC ELECTRIC•Corona, CA

13h•$82,000 - $92,000•Hybrid

About The Position

The Purchasing Agent is responsible for managing purchasing and material planning activities to ensure the timely and cost-effective procurement of materials, components, and services that support Pacific Electric Switchgear's manufacturing operations. This role independently evaluates material requirements, supplier performance, pricing, lead times, and inventory needs to support production schedules and business objectives. The Purchasing Agent manages supplier relationships, negotiates pricing and delivery terms, monitors material availability, and proactively addresses supply risks to ensure continuity of operations. Working cross-functionally with Production, Engineering, Inventory, Quality, and suppliers, this position exercises sound judgment and decision-making to support procurement strategies, material planning, and overall supply chain performance.

Requirements

Procurement Management and Purchasing Execution, managing purchasing activities, supplier relationships, and material procurement to support production schedules, inventory requirements, and operational objectives
Supplier Management, Communication, and Negotiation, leading vendor interactions and negotiating pricing, lead times, delivery schedules, and purchasing terms to optimize cost, service, and supplier performance
Material Planning, MRP Utilization, and Inventory Alignment, utilizing Material Requirements Planning (MRP) systems to support purchasing decisions, inventory levels, forecasting activities, and production requirements
Supply Risk Analysis and Problem Resolution, identifying material shortages, supplier concerns, delivery risks, and procurement issues while developing effective solutions to minimize operational impact
Purchasing Analysis and Decision Making, evaluating purchasing requirements, supplier options, pricing, lead times, and sourcing alternatives to support informed procurement decisions
ERP System Utilization and Data Management, maintaining accurate purchasing records, supplier information, procurement reports, and material data within ERP systems such as SAP
Cross-Functional Collaboration, working effectively with Production, Engineering, Inventory, Quality, Warehouse, and other departments to support material flow and operational objectives
Organization, Attention to Detail, and Prioritization, managing multiple suppliers, purchase orders, material requirements, and deadlines while maintaining accuracy and accountability
Continuous Improvement and Operational Efficiency, identifying opportunities to improve purchasing processes, supplier performance, material availability, and overall supply chain effectiveness
Microsoft Office and Business Systems Proficiency, utilizing Excel, Outlook, ERP systems, and reporting tools to support procurement analysis, communication, and operational reporting
Ability to read, write, and speak English is required
Bachelor’s degree in Business, Supply Chain, Operations, Procurement, or a related field required
3–5 years of purchasing, procurement, supply chain, or material planning experience in a manufacturing or industrial environment
3–5 years of experience managing supplier relationships, including pricing negotiations, lead time management, delivery performance, and procurement coordination
3–5 years of experience utilizing ERP systems and Material Requirements Planning (MRP) systems to support purchasing activities, inventory alignment, and material planning (SAP preferred)
3–5 years of experience analyzing purchasing data, supplier performance, inventory requirements, and material availability to support operational decision-making

Nice To Haves

Bilingual in English/Spanish is preferred
Experience supporting low-voltage switchgear, medium-voltage switchgear, electrical equipment manufacturing, or other industrial manufacturing environments preferred

Responsibilities

Manages purchasing activities and procurement execution to support production schedules, material requirements, inventory objectives, and operational needs
Leads supplier communications and negotiates pricing, lead times, delivery schedules, and purchasing terms to support cost-effective procurement and supplier performance
Manages open purchase orders and material commitments, proactively monitoring order status, identifying supply risks, and ensuring material availability aligns with production requirements
Evaluates supplier performance, delivery reliability, and responsiveness, working with vendors to resolve issues and improve service, quality, and delivery performance
Analyzes material shortages, supply constraints, and procurement risks and develops solutions to minimize operational disruptions and maintain continuity of supply
Coordinates with Inventory and Warehouse teams to align purchasing activities with inventory levels, material requirements, incoming shipments, and ERP data accuracy
Utilizes Material Requirements Planning (MRP) systems to support purchasing decisions, inventory alignment, forecasting activities, and production schedules
Reviews and validates purchase requirements, specifications, quantities, sourcing options, and supplier selections prior to order placement
Collaborates with Production, Engineering, Inventory, Quality, and other departments to support material flow, project requirements, and operational objectives
Supports vendor management activities, including vendor setup, supplier performance monitoring, pricing updates, return material authorizations (RMAs), and procurement documentation
Maintains accurate purchasing records, supplier information, procurement reports, and ERP system data to support operational and business requirements
Prepares and analyzes purchasing data, supplier performance metrics, inventory information, and operational reports to support decision-making, continuous improvement, and supply chain performance