Purchasing Agent

Saratoga Homes is a family/privately owned Top 100 Home Builder seeking a Purchasing Agent.

The Purchasing Agent is responsible for overseeing the compiling and maintaining accurate and through take-offs and budgets. A constant focus on controlling costs by finding least cost/ best value vendors, suppliers, material prices and building methods. This position is responsible for leading this process for all home building divisions within the Saratoga Group.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Manage Department:

• Establish the standard operating procedures for purchasing and estimating department.
• Train Estimators on proper methods to calculate all takeoffs needed for budgets.
• Train Estimators on how to update all pricing in Builder MT Workflow Management Suite (WMS).
• Train Estimators on how to bid trusses for projects as well as scheduling process.
• Train staff on how to apply for manufacturers rebates.
• If necessary, step in and assist staff in takeoff process, printing plans, permit process or issuing purchase orders; to stay on deadline.
• Information Technology:
• Develop and expand knowledge of software which applies to this position.
• Assist in establishing and maintaining a product data base for the NAHB Chart of Accounts.
• Compile, build and maintain option assemblies, database and price book within software.
• Assist in the preparation of the lot programming analysis report for all current and future subdivisions.

Blue print management:Estimating Process:Hard Cost Maintenance:Variance Purchase Order Process:Trusses Process:General Building Maintenance:FUTURE DEVELOPMENT AND GROWTH:Continuous growth in the knowledge of the business & industry as it relates to innovative products, construction techniques and trends affecting the land development and home building industry. Stay current on government rules and regulations relating to building codes and SWPPP processes. Explore new applications of technology and process optimization both within the home building industry and outside which may be applied to the Saratoga Homes’ Best Practices Process for improving employee satisfaction and bottom line financial results desired by the company

• Order site plans: (2) for city; (1) for warranty insurance application; (1) for budget
• Always file original
• Interpret and implant building code changes in blue prints.
• Permit Package Process Management:
• Compile a complete package for submittal to the city (package may vary by municipality)
• Complete the permit application
• Site plan
• Post tension
• Retaining wall section (if necessary)
• Wall section for two story home (if necessary)
• Garden wall detail (if necessary)
• Fireplace detail (if necessary)
• Grading detail (if necessary)
• 2 sets of city plans (if necessary)
• Submit package to city
• Check on status – making sure process is expedited.
• Provide additional details if necessary.
• Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP)
• Coordinate with engineers to get plans.
• Submit plans to city if necessary.
• Keep track of Best Management Practices (BMP) on SWPPP.
• Submit Notice of Termination (NOT) and Notice of Intent (NOI) to city and state.
• Keep track of all NOI and NOT that have been submitted to city or state
• Keep track of al new policies required by city or state. Be sure all policies are being implemented to avoid any fines.
• Determine accurate standard specifications for each trade.
• Estimate material, labor and overall cost for all new model designs.
• Prepare and continually update for accuracy all quantity take-off estimates.
• Check: Concrete takeoff of slabs
• Check: Landscape takeoff for quantity errors
• Check: Rock wall takeoff for dimension and quantity errors.
• Make on-site field inspections from time to time, while homes are under construction to make sure estimates are still accurate.
• Establish and maintain a trade contractor/supplier performance evaluation system.
• Budgets Maintenance
• Review all budgets and estimates before importing into Builder MT Workflow Management Suite (WMS).
• Prepare construction loan spreadsheet.
• Assist in identifying cost-saving techniques, materials and building methods / procedures.
• Problem solve with various subcontractors and suppliers to find the most efficient building methods and productivity practices; resolve discrepancies & disputes.
• Assist in analyzing cost codes by phase for cost-saving measures and techniques.
• Update, verify and communicate any hard cost changes due to vendor increases and quantity changes to VP of Construction (VPC) or Division President (DP).
• Continually source new suppliers and products which provide the same or improved home quality while providing the same or better pricing.
• Purchase Order Process:
• Ensure that all trades are under trade contractor agreement. Monitor competitive bidding, contract negotiations and value engineering.
• Issue thorough and accurate purchase orders within the allotted time frame according to the stage of construction.
• Research and eliminate any office (price or estimating) variances through ongoing communication with field personnel and observations during field visits.
• Check house, purchase orders, invoices and variance purchase orders for missing materials. Use this evaluation to tighten takeoffs in system.
• Check lumber invoices and forward to Project Manager for confirmation of receipt of material in field.
• Update new purchase orders with most recent pricing; prepare release of purchase orders in allotted time, accordance with the current stage of construction
• Research invoices and purchase orders to meet Accounting Department deadlines.
• Cross check supplier’s invoice with contract pricing to validate variances or identify discrepancy.
• Reconcile prices on WMS with differences in price book.
• Negotiate invoice variances with suppliers.
• Create variance or credit purchase orders as necessary.
• Process approved variance purchase orders.
• New Start Process:
• Prepare and update Production Checklist spreadsheet based on production timeline.
• Perform gross profit (GP) analysis report.
• Add to construction loan spreadsheet.
• Verify that all trusses are being ordered according to start schedule.
• Confirm pricing is competitive versus competitors.
• Confirm timely delivery by physical field verification versus production schedule; otherwise implement penalty within contract.
• Sales Support & Change Order Process:
• Provide technical support and training as needed with respect to plans, specifications floor plans etc….
• Complete special pricing requests accurately and within a reasonable time frame (48 hours).
• Receive money orders or cashier checks from customers for approved Change Requests.
• Route Change Requests to appropriate staff in Accounting and Purchasing.
• Track Change Orders with Purchasing by running a Variance Report.
• Rebate Process:
• Track for existing rebate programs or explore for new alternatives where Saratoga Homes can receive manufacturers rebates or model home discounts on materials.
• Keep track of all rebate programs to be sure proper dollar values are received by Saratoga Homes.
• Schedule building maintenance as needed
• Schedule and change furnace filters.
• Schedule utility maintenance.
• Saratoga Corporate Management Group (SCMG) Areas of Responsibility:
• Using the SCMG Areas of Responsibility Chart (illustrated below), each area has a Primary, Secondary and Tertiary responsible parties. This chart states a chain of responsibility should someone need to fill an Area of Responsibility. In the event, the Tertiary level is triggered; the COO will determine who shall step into that Area of Responsibility. Tertiary levels also include positions outside of the designated department that may not be listed in the chart below. It is understood that each employee will be capable of filling and managing each of the stated Areas of Responsibility including all other positions within the company.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $60,000.00 - $75,000.00 per year

Application Question(s):

• Please, provided an active email address.

Ability to Commute:

• Houston, TX 77084 (Required)

Ability to Relocate:

• Houston, TX 77084: Relocate before starting work (Required)

Work Location: In person