Purchasing Agent

Overview

BREAK GROUND ON A REWARDING CAREER WITH US!

The Sekisui House U.S. team is a proud builder of the SHAWOOD, Richmond American Homes, Woodside Homes, Holt Homes, Hubble Homes, and Chesmar Homes brands.  We take great pride in being a member of Sekisui House, a global leader in homebuilding. This impressive, 60 year old company has built over 2.6 million new homes designed to reflect and adapt to the changing needs of today's homebuyers. Drawing on Sekisui House's unparalleled history and superior service, we commit ourselves to a future where people around the world can live joyful lives in homes that are safe, secure, stylish and comfortable. 

We encourage a company culture that promotes professionalism, teamwork, health & wellness and work-life balance. If you are a results-driven professional with a passion for success, consider building a career with us.

Positive Work Environment & Culture

• Collaborative Team Culture: Join a supportive environment where teamwork and the open exchange of ideas are highly valued.
• Team Engagement: Participate in a variety of team-building events and social gatherings, such as company outings, holiday celebrations, and regular office socials. We support a healthy work-life balance and recognize the importance of time outside of work commitments. 

Overview & Position Summary

This position supports residential construction operations by sourcing, bidding, negotiating, and contracting with trade partners and suppliers to support assigned communities. The role ensures competitive pricing, accurate scopes of work, and timely availability of materials and services to meet construction schedules and cost targets. Working cross-functionally with Construction, Estimating, Design, and Operations, this position contributes to budget accuracy, value engineering efforts, and consistent purchasing execution. The role operates with moderate supervision while applying professional judgment, market knowledge, and construction understanding to resolve routine to moderately complex purchasing challenges.

Primary Responsibilities

• Source, evaluate, and maintain qualified trade partners and suppliers to support assigned divisions or communities.
• Prepare, issue, and manage bid packages, scopes of work, and takeoffs to ensure complete, accurate, and competitive pricing.
• Solicit, analyze, and compare bids; negotiate pricing, terms, and contracts in alignment with company policies and budget targets.
• Coordinate closely with Construction, Estimating, Operations, and Product teams to align purchasing decisions with plans, specifications, schedules, and build cycles.
• Maintain purchasing data, contracts, scopes, and pricing within purchasing and ERP systems, ensuring consistency and accuracy across communities.
• Support value engineering initiatives by analyzing costs, identifying alternatives, and recommending cost-effective solutions without compromising quality.
• Monitor trade partner performance, availability, and compliance; assist in resolving pricing discrepancies, scope gaps, or performance concerns.
• Support new community setup activities, including bid launches, contract awards, documentation setup, and community kickoff coordination.
• Research market conditions, materials, and supplier trends to support competitive positioning and informed purchasing decisions.
• Assist with process improvements, documentation standards, and best practices to improve purchasing efficiency and cost control.

Education & Experience

Required:

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Minimum of 2 years of relevant experience in purchasing, supply chain, or construction operations OR 6–8 years of equivalent experience.

Preferred:

• Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain, Business, Construction Management, or a related field.
• Experience in homebuilding or residential construction purchasing.
• Familiarity with procurement platforms or construction-related purchasing tools.

Skills & Competencies

• Solid understanding of purchasing principles, contract terms, and cost analysis.
• Strong negotiation and vendor-management capabilities.
• Ability to analyze complex issues, evaluate alternatives, and recommend solutions.
• Effective communication skills for working with suppliers and cross-functional teams.
• Proficiency with purchasing or ERP systems, spreadsheets, and data analysis tools.
• Detail orientation with strong organizational and follow-through abilities.
• Ability to interpret construction drawings, scopes, and material requirements.
• Strong problem-solving skills using prior experience and analytical thinking.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced work environment.

Working Conditions

Work is primarily conducted in a professional office setting with regular interaction across departments and suppliers. Occasional travel to construction sites is required to verify scopes, evaluate supplier performance, or support operational needs. Limited travel to vendor facilities, trade events, or regional meetings may also be required based on business priorities.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to sit or stand for extended periods in an office environment.
• Ability to walk construction sites with uneven surfaces during field visits.
• Ability to lift and carry documents, samples, or materials up to 20 pounds.
• Ability to use hands and fingers for computer work, documentation, and communication tools.
• Ability to clearly communicate in person, by phone, and in written formats.

Comprehensive Benefits Package

We offer a comprehensive benefits package designed to meet the diverse needs of our employees and their families: 

• Competitive Compensation: We provide a competitive compensation structure that rewards performance and results.
• Health & Wellness: Comprehensive coverage includes medical, dental, and vision insurance options, as well as Health Savings Accounts (HSA) and Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA).
• Financial Future: Access a 401(k) retirement savings plan.
• Time Off: Our time-off benefits include vacation, sick leave, paid holidays, and other leave types (bereavement, jury duty, FMLA, military leave).
• Insurance & Protection: Company-provided life insurance, accidental death and dismemberment (AD&D) insurance, and short- and long-term disability coverage are included. An employee assistance program (EAP) is also available. 
• Exclusive Perks & Discounts
• Homeownership & Financing: Take advantage of exclusive home purchase and financing discounts.
• Pet Insurance: Enjoy discounted group pet insurance rates.

If you are ready for more than a job and seek a career with one of the most respected organizations in the industry, we encourage you to connect with us. Please visit our website at www.richmondamerican.com for additional information.

Sekisui House U.S., Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer.