Purchasing Agent Temporary Position

Open Door Community Health Centers•Eureka, CA

About The Position

The Purchasing Agent works under the supervision of the Purchasing Manager and supports purchasing operations by checking receivings and back orders, helping with returns, communicating with sites about purchasing issues, and communicating with vendors about back orders, discontinued items, and returns. The role maintains positive relationships with health center staff, vendors, and suppliers, and follows federal procurement guidelines and ODCHC policies and procedures. This temporary position runs from December 1, 2026, to June 1, 2027, with a possible extension. The compensation range is $25.49–$29.44; all new hires begin at the base wage. The position is largely office-based and reports directly to the Purchasing Manager as part of the Purchasing team.

Requirements

One to two years of related experience and/or training, or general experience in healthcare (medical and/or dental).
Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to establish constructive working relationships with employees at all levels and from varied backgrounds.
Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing.
Ability to work as part of a team and independently as needed.
Ability to handle difficult or confrontational situations calmly, consistently, and equitably.
Excellent organizational and documentation skills.
Ability to perform basic math.
Ability to represent ODCHC’s interests in the community and maintain effective working relationships with coworkers and public, private, and professional groups.
Ability to read and comprehend instructions and compose correspondence and memos.
Computer skills, including use of purchasing software, databases, spreadsheets, and word-processing software.
Ability to communicate by telephone, video, and/or in person; read documents, computer screens, and forms; and remain stationary for extended periods.
Ability to lift, carry, or otherwise move up to 30 pounds.
Ability to use a keyboard and view computer screens for extended periods.
Ability to travel locally and long-distance as needed and move around offices and clinics as needed.
No certificates, licenses, or registrations are required.

Responsibilities

Follow federal procurement guidelines and ODCHC policies and procedures.
Receive packing slips from sites and verify that they have been properly scanned and received in purchasing software.
Manage returns, communicate with sites and vendors, and document the process in purchasing software.
Ensure receivings are up to date and follow up with sites as needed.
Help train new site-level purchasers.
Assist with year-end inventories, including on-site work as needed.
Provide backup departmental support as needed.
Cover other Purchasing Agents’ duties when needed.
Cover the Purchasing Manager’s basic duties of placing and approving orders, after checking them for accuracy, when needed.
Perform specialized duties, projects, and other duties assigned by the supervisor.
Adhere to ODCHC’s attendance policy.
Maintain positive working relationships with health center staff, vendors, and suppliers.