Job Description

Purchasing Agent - TalentZok

OVERVIEW

Are you looking for a new career opportunity with an exciting company?! Then we've got the right team for you! In this role, you're responsible for the duties listed below.

Immediate opening for a Purchasing Agent in Vista, CA who possesses:

• 3+ years of purchasing or buyer experience within a manufacturing environment
• Experience purchasing machine tooling for machining or CNC operations, including cutting tools, inserts, holders, fixtures, and related consumables
• Experience sourcing raw materials, purchased parts, and/or outside processing services
• ERP system experience; Epicor strongly preferred
• Strong supplier communication, negotiation, organization, and problem-solving skills

Email resumes to jgarcia@talentzok.com or call 858.683.8070.

FULL DESCRIPTION: We are seeking an experienced Purchasing Agent to support procurement activities within a growing aerospace manufacturing environment. This direct-hire role will be responsible for purchasing machine tooling, raw materials, purchased parts, outside processing services, packaging materials, and other production-related goods. The Purchasing Agent will work closely with suppliers, Machining, Shipping, Receiving, Assembly, and other internal departments to support production requirements, optimize inventory, improve cost and lead-time performance, and maintain accurate purchasing documentation. The ideal candidate will have hands-on manufacturing purchasing experience, strong knowledge of CNC tooling requirements, solid supplier negotiation skills, ERP experience, and the ability to balance job-specific needs with broader inventory and production priorities.

The selected candidate will be responsible for:

• Purchasing machine tooling including cutting tools, inserts, holders, fixtures, and related consumables
• Purchasing raw materials, purchased components, packaging materials, and outside processing services
• Working closely with the Machining Supervisor to identify tooling requirements for production and new jobs
• Supporting tooling trials, replacements, and continuous improvement initiatives
• Evaluating tooling performance with consideration for tool life, cost-per-part, and production impact
• Requesting and evaluating supplier quotations
• Issuing RFQs to potential suppliers
• Negotiating pricing, lead times, and commercial terms
• Following up on RFQs, open purchase orders, order status, and supplier commitments
• Preparing purchase orders and distributing copies to suppliers and originating departments
• Updating purchase orders when pricing, delivery, quantity, or other requirements change
• Tracking requests, contracts, purchase orders, and deliveries
• Purchasing goods as economically and efficiently as possible
• Calculating order costs and assigning or forwarding charges to appropriate accounts
• Contacting suppliers to schedule or expedite deliveries
• Resolving shortages, late deliveries, missed deliveries, and other supplier issues
• Responding to supplier inquiries regarding order status, changes, and cancellations
• Following up with vendors before parts and materials are due
• Providing internal teams with timely updates regarding order status, shipments, purchase order tracking, and deliveries
• Coordinating deliveries with Shipping, Receiving, Assembly, Production, and other departments
• Maintaining positive and professional supplier relationships
• Supporting documentation related to purchasing contracts, transactions, and regulatory compliance
• Working collaboratively with other purchasers across defined purchasing categories
• Coordinating purchasing activities with overall production and business priorities
• Building appropriate stock levels of commonly used materials and repeat-use components
• Optimizing order quantities based on pricing, lead times, usage, and anticipated future demand
• Monitoring and balancing reorder points, min/max levels, usage trends, and job-specific inventory controls
• Identifying potential shortages and supply risks before they impact production
• Supporting strategic inventory planning and demand-driven purchasing activities
• Maintaining accurate purchasing, inventory, supplier, and transaction records
• Entering and updating purchasing information within the ERP system
• Reviewing blueprints and engineering drawings as needed to verify specifications identified on travelers and routers
• Supporting scheduling of maintenance for equipment and company vehicles as assigned
• Discussing supplier account status and activity with internal departments as needed
• Providing backup and assistance across purchasing functions as priorities shift
• Supporting continuous improvement within Procurement and Supply Chain
• Performing other duties as assigned

The selected candidate will also possess:

• High school diploma or GED required
• Bachelor's degree may substitute for applicable experience
• 3+ years of purchasing or buyer experience within a manufacturing environment required
• Experience purchasing machine tooling for machining or CNC operations required
• Experience purchasing cutting tools, inserts, holders, fixtures, and related tooling preferred
• Experience sourcing raw materials, purchased parts, and/or outside processing required
• ERP system experience required
• Epicor experience strongly preferred
• Precision machining or engineered-to-order manufacturing experience preferred
• Aerospace or defense manufacturing experience preferred
• Experience with inventory optimization or demand-driven purchasing preferred
• Exposure to ISO 9001 or AS9100 quality systems preferred
• Experience requesting and evaluating supplier quotations required
• Supplier negotiation experience involving pricing, lead times, and terms preferred
• Experience managing purchase orders and supplier delivery commitments required
• Experience coordinating with Machining, Production, Shipping, Receiving, or Assembly teams preferred
• Ability to understand and interpret blueprints or engineering drawings to verify specifications on travelers or routers
• Microsoft 365 proficiency required
• Strong data-entry skills required
• Strong written and verbal communication skills required
• Excellent organizational skills required
• Strong problem-solving skills required
• Ability to apply practical and logical reasoning to purchasing decisions
• Ability to understand, retain, and follow written and verbal instructions
• Ability to work efficiently and independently without constant supervision
• Self-driven work style with the ability to initiate tasks independently
• Collaborative and positive team attitude required
• Ability to accept feedback and continue developing within the role
• Ability to maintain focus while managing multiple purchasing priorities and deadlines
• Reliable and dependable work habits required
• Ability to work onsite in Vista, CA
• Ability to successfully complete required background screening
• Must meet applicable requirements for access to controlled technology and technical data under U.S. export control regulations

Physical Requirements:

• Ability to sit and work at a computer for extended periods while reviewing purchase orders, quotations, inventory information, supplier communications, ERP records, drawings, and related documentation
• Ability to communicate by phone, email, and in person throughout the workday
• Ability to use hands and fingers for typing, data entry, document review, filing, and standard office tasks
• Ability to review purchasing records, spreadsheets, ERP information, supplier quotations, blueprints, engineering drawings, travelers, routers, and computer screens for extended periods
• Ability to occasionally stand, walk, bend, reach, and move throughout office and manufacturing areas as needed
• Ability to occasionally visit the Production floor to verify tooling, materials, specifications, or purchasing requirements
• Ability to work around manufacturing equipment, tooling, materials, and normal production activity as needed
• Ability to wear approved safety glasses and safety-toe footwear when entering applicable Production areas
• Ability to follow applicable manufacturing, quality, and safety procedures
• Ability to maintain accuracy, organization, and attention to detail while working under purchasing and production deadlines

Salary Range: $28 to $32/hour
For immediate and confidential consideration, please email your resume to jgarcia@talentzok.com or call 858.683.8070.
More information can be found at www.talentzok.com.