Purchasing Agent

Job Summary

The Purchasing Agent is responsible for managing the purchasing activities associated with residential home construction, including trade partner relationships, pricing, scopes of work, purchase orders, and cost management.

This position works closely with the Purchasing Manager, Construction, Sales, Starts, and other internal teams to ensure homes are purchased accurately, competitively, and in accordance with company standards, budgets, plans, and schedules.

The Purchasing Agent serves as a key relationship between Ladera Living and its trade partners, working to develop strong partnerships while maintaining clear expectations, accountability, quality standards, and cost controls.

The successful candidate is highly organized, detail-oriented, analytical, and comfortable balancing relationships with business objectives. This position requires someone who can identify problems, find solutions, communicate effectively, and continually look for opportunities to improve purchasing processes and overall construction efficiency.

Essential Responsibilities

• Purchasing & Cost Management

  • Manage purchasing activities for assigned homes, communities, and/or product lines.

  • Obtain, review, and negotiate pricing from trade partners and suppliers.

  • Ensure pricing is accurate, competitive, and aligned with approved budgets and company expectations.

  • Prepare and issue purchase orders and work orders in accordance with established company processes.

  • Review purchase orders, scopes of work, and pricing for accuracy and completeness.

  • Monitor material and labor costs and identify opportunities for cost savings without compromising quality or customer experience.

  • Assist with establishing and maintaining accurate pricing for plans, options, upgrades, and construction components.

  • Review and analyze purchasing data to identify cost trends, variances, and opportunities for improvement.

  • Assist the Purchasing Manager with annual pricing updates, negotiations, and purchasing strategy.

  Trade Partner Management

  • Develop and maintain strong, professional relationships with trade partners, vendors, and suppliers.

  • Communicate company expectations regarding pricing, quality, scheduling, documentation, and performance.

  • Solicit and evaluate bids from qualified trade partners.

  • Assist with identifying, vetting, and onboarding new trade partners when needed.

  • Monitor trade partner performance and communicate concerns to the Purchasing Manager and appropriate leadership.

  • Address pricing, scope, quality, and performance issues promptly and professionally.

  • Work collaboratively with trade partners to resolve issues and improve overall performance.

  • Maintain appropriate documentation related to trade partner pricing, agreements, and performance.

  Plans, Specifications & Scopes of Work

  • Review construction plans, specifications, option sheets, and other documents to ensure purchasing information is accurate and complete.

  • Develop and maintain clear scopes of work for assigned trades.

  • Identify inconsistencies, omissions, or potential construction issues and communicate them to the appropriate team members before work begins.

  • Coordinate with Construction and other departments to ensure purchasing documents accurately reflect current plans, specifications, and company standards.

  • Participate in the review and improvement of base plans, specifications, and construction details as requested.

  Construction & Operations Support

  • Partner with Construction Managers and field teams to ensure purchased materials and services meet project requirements.

  • Respond to questions regarding pricing, scopes of work, materials, and trade responsibilities.

  • Assist in resolving purchasing-related issues that arise during construction.

  • Monitor changes in material costs, availability, and market conditions that may affect construction costs or schedules.

  • Communicate relevant pricing, material, and trade partner changes to appropriate departments.

  • Visit communities and construction sites as needed to better understand field conditions and purchasing needs.

  • Participate in meetings with Construction, Sales, Starts, and leadership as required.

  Process Improvement

  • Continuously evaluate purchasing processes and identify opportunities to improve accuracy, efficiency, cost control, and communication.

  • Recommend improvements to purchasing systems, procedures, scopes of work, and trade partner processes.

  • Help ensure purchasing procedures are consistently followed across communities and projects.

  • Assist in developing and maintaining purchasing standards and best practices.

  • Stay informed regarding construction materials, pricing trends, trade practices, and market conditions.

  • Support company initiatives designed to improve quality, efficiency, profitability, and the homeowner experience.

  Reporting & Administration

  • Maintain accurate purchasing records, pricing information, purchase orders, and supporting documentation.

  • Prepare purchasing reports and information as requested by the Purchasing Manager or leadership.

  • Review purchasing activity for accuracy and compliance with established budgets and procedures.

  • Monitor outstanding purchasing issues and follow up to ensure timely resolution.

  • Maintain organized and accessible purchasing documentation.

  • Maintain regular, punctual attendance and professional communication.

Additional Responsibilities

• Support the training and ongoing education of Sales and Construction teams on start process protocols and systems.

• Perform other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED required.

• Bachelor’s degree in construction management or a related field preferred.

• Minimum of 10 years’ experience in residential construction, production, or purchasing.

• OR an equivalent combination of education and relevant work experience that ensures success in this role.

Software + Systems Experience

• Working knowledge of back office of ECI (MarkSystems/ITK).

Core Competencies

• Strong organizational and planning skills.

• Excellent verbal and written communication abilities.

• Ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines.

• Detail-oriented with strong follow-up habits.

• Collaborative team player with a proactive, problem-solving mindset.

• Technologically proficient and adaptable to multiple systems and platforms.

Conditions of Employment

• Pass a criminal background check and social security verification.

• Pass a pre-employment drug screening.

• Provide valid proof of eligibility to work in the United States.

• Possess a valid Texas driver’s license within 30 days of employment.

Tools + Equipment Used

• iPad, smartphone, laptop, and related office technology.

• May require use of protective safety equipment (e.g., hard hats, gloves, goggles, boots).

• Occasional use of hand tools or light equipment.

Work Environment + Physical Requirements

• Outdoor work in all weather conditions; exposure to construction environments and job site noise.

• Must be able to travel to nearby job sites; reliable personal transportation is required.

• Must be able to:

  • Stand and/or sit for extended periods.

  • Lift, carry, or adjust materials up to 25 lbs.

  • Perform physical activities including bending, climbing, squatting, and twisting.

  • Communicate effectively via hearing and speech; perform tasks requiring close vision.

Work Schedule + Travel

• Standard work hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM (40 hours per week).

• Occasional after-hours calls or extended hours may be required.

• Occasional travel is required for job site visits, company events, or team collaboration.