Purchasing Agent

Essex Construction — Punta Gorda, Florida

Essex Construction is seeking an experienced Purchasing Agent to support our growing commercial construction operations. This position is responsible for obtaining competitive subcontractor and supplier pricing, preparing bid comparisons, issuing purchase orders and subcontracts, coordinating material procurement, and ensuring that project requirements, budgets, and schedules are met.

The Purchasing Agent will work closely with estimators, project managers, superintendents, accounting personnel, subcontractors, and suppliers throughout the preconstruction and construction process.

Key Responsibilities

• Solicit, review, and level subcontractor and supplier proposals.
• Negotiate pricing, terms, delivery schedules, and scope requirements.
• Prepare and issue purchase orders, subcontracts, and change documentation.
• Confirm that proposals include the complete required scope of work.
• Identify exclusions, scope gaps, qualifications, and potential cost risks.
• Maintain subcontractor and supplier databases and expand the company’s trade-partner network.
• Track long-lead materials, submittals, approvals, fabrication, and delivery dates.
• Coordinate purchasing activities with project schedules and field requirements.
• Monitor committed costs against project estimates and approved budgets.
• Assist with subcontractor prequalification, insurance, licensing, and compliance documentation.
• Maintain accurate procurement, buyout, and commitment logs.
• Develop productive, long-term relationships with subcontractors, vendors, and manufacturers.
• Support project managers with pricing, change orders, material substitutions, and value-engineering opportunities.

Qualifications

• Previous purchasing, procurement, estimating, or project coordination experience within commercial construction.
• Working knowledge of construction documents, specifications, scopes of work, and subcontract agreements.
• Strong negotiation, organization, communication, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to compare proposals and identify pricing or scope inconsistencies.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Excel, Outlook, and construction-management software.
• Ability to manage multiple projects, deadlines, and procurement priorities simultaneously.
• Strong attention to detail and commitment to accurate documentation.
• Established relationships with Florida subcontractors and suppliers are preferred.
• Experience with Procore or similar construction-management platforms is a plus.

The ideal candidate is organized, persistent, cost-conscious, and capable of balancing competitive purchasing with quality, schedule, and project-performance requirements. Essex Construction offers an opportunity to join a growing commercial general contractor working across amenity centers, tenant improvements, renovations, commercial buildings, pools, pavilions, entry monuments, and specialty construction projects throughout Florida.

Pay: $64,000.00 - $85,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance

Work Location: In person

Salary : $64,000 - $85,000