What are the responsibilities and job description for the Purchasing Agent / Strategic Buyer position at Builders Building Supply?
We are seeking a Purchasing Agent / Strategic Buyer who is focused on saving money through research, analysis, and smart sourcing not simply placing orders.
This role is for someone who enjoys shopping, digging into pricing history, researching alternatives, and understanding what products should cost in the market. You will be expected to actively identify cost-saving opportunities and clearly explain your decisions with data.
Key Responsibilities
- Review past invoices and purchase history to understand historical pricing
- Track price changes, trends, and inconsistencies over time
- Research what products normally sell for in the market, including competitor pricing and typical retail or wholesale benchmarks
- Compare current pricing to historical and market pricing to identify savings opportunities
- Source alternative vendors, manufacturers, and distributors to reduce cost
- Evaluate equivalent or substitute products when appropriate
- Estimate usage and purchasing quantities to support bulk purchasing strategies
- Research domestic and overseas sourcing options when applicable
- Communicate findings clearly, including previous pricing, market pricing, and recommended cost targets
- Support purchasing decisions with organized documentation and analysis
What This Role Is
- A cost-reduction and sourcing role
- A research-heavy, analytical position
- A role where success is measured in dollars saved
What This Role Is Not
- Not an invoice entry or accounts payable role
- Not a passive order-processing position
- Not a “buy it the same way every time” job
What We’re Looking For
- Strong analytical and research skills
- Comfortable working with pricing data, invoices, and spreadsheets
- Ability to research and compare competitor and market pricing
- Confidence communicating pricing recommendations and findings
- Ability to think in terms of volume, usage, and unit economics
- Self-motivated and proactive in identifying savings opportunities
Preferred Experience
- Purchasing, procurement, or supply chain experience
- Construction or building materials background
- Vendor sourcing or price negotiation experience
- Familiarity with accounting or purchasing systems
- Importing / ordering from Alibaba or other overseas sources
Ideal Candidate Mindset
- Naturally questions pricing
- Wants to know what something should cost, not just what it costs today
- Enjoys finding better options and proving savings with data
- Moves quickly while paying attention to details
- Sees purchasing as a way to improve profitability, not just complete tasks
If purchasing to you means placing orders, this role is not a good fit.
If purchasing means understanding pricing, researching the market, and finding better deals, we want to hear from you.
We are a smoke-free environment.
Compensation depends on experience, plus performance-based bonuses tied directly to documented cost savings.
Pay: $40,000.00 - $48,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- Paid time off
Work Location: In person
Salary : $40,000 - $48,000