Purchasing Agent - Construction

Job Description

Job Description

Description:

Company: Matrix Basement Finishing 

Location: Arlington Heights, IL 

Employment Type: Full-Time 

Experience Level: Entry to Mid-Level 

Compensation: Up to $70,000 annually, based on experience

Matrix Basement Finishing is seeking a detail-oriented and highly organized Purchasing Agent to to support our growing residential remodeling operations. This is an entry-to-mid-level position designed for someone with a working knowledge of construction materials, the ability to read and interpret basic construction plans and blueprints, and strong Microsoft Excel skills. The Purchasing Agent will be responsible for supporting the procurement of construction materials, managing purchase orders, communicating with vendors, tracking material pricing and availability, and helping ensure materials are ordered accurately and delivered on schedule. This individual will work closely with Operations, Project Management, Field Management, Warehouse, Accounting, and our vendor network to help maintain efficient project execution and effective cost control. The ideal candidate is analytical, organized, comfortable working with numbers, capable of identifying discrepancies, and interested in developing a long-term career in construction purchasing and procurement.

• Purchase construction materials, products, equipment, and supplies for residential remodeling projects.
• Review construction plans, blueprints, project scopes, selections, and specifications to understand material requirements.
• Verify quantities, specifications, sizes, finishes, and other purchasing details before orders are placed.
• Create, issue, update, and maintain purchase orders.
• Request and compare vendor quotes based on price, availability, lead time, product specifications, and service.
• Coordinate material purchases with Operations, Field Managers, Project Managers, Warehouse personnel, and vendors.
• Track open purchase orders and expected delivery dates.
• Follow up with suppliers regarding backorders, delayed materials, incorrect shipments, damaged materials, or missing products.
• Assist in identifying acceptable alternative products when materials are unavailable or delayed.
• Maintain accurate purchasing, vendor, pricing, and project records.
• Review vendor pricing for accuracy and identify unexpected cost increases or discrepancies.
• Compare purchase orders, vendor quotes, invoices, and receiving documentation.
• Support vendor negotiations and cost-saving initiatives.
• Assist with maintaining preferred vendor relationships and sourcing new vendors as needed.
• Help monitor material availability and lead times across multiple active projects.
• Maintain and analyze purchasing data using Microsoft Excel.
• Assist with cost comparisons, purchasing reports, material tracking, and vendor analysis.
• Identify duplicate orders, pricing inconsistencies, quantity discrepancies, and other potential purchasing errors.
• Communicate purchasing issues or risks to appropriate members of the Operations team.
• Assist with inventory planning and warehouse material coordination.
• Support continuous improvement of purchasing procedures, documentation, and internal processes.
• Manage multiple projects, vendors, orders, and deadlines simultaneously.
• Perform additional purchasing, procurement, or operational responsibilities as assigned.

• Experience in residential remodeling, construction, homebuilding, or building materials.
• Previous purchasing or procurement experience.
• Experience working for a general contractor, specialty contractor, supplier, distributor, or construction materials company.
• Familiarity with residential basement finishing or remodeling.
• Experience performing basic material takeoffs.
• Experience with estimating.
• Vendor negotiation experience.
• Experience with purchasing, ERP, inventory, or construction-management software.
• BuilderTrend experience.
• Advanced Excel skills.
• Experience analyzing material costs, vendor pricing, or purchasing trends.

Candidates should possess a basic working understanding of common residential construction materials and terminology. Relevant material knowledge may include:

• Lumber and framing materials
• Drywall
• Insulation
• Doors and hardware
• Trim and millwork
• Flooring
• Cabinetry
• Electrical materials
• Plumbing materials
• Fixtures
• Fasteners and hardware
• Paint and finishing materials
• General building products

Candidates are not expected to function as full estimators or architects but should be capable of reviewing a residential construction plan and understanding the basic relationship between project scope, dimensions, specifications, and required materials.

The Purchasing Agent will regularly work with pricing, vendor, project, and purchasing data. Candidates should be comfortable using Excel for:

• Sorting and filtering data
• SUM and SUMIF/SUMIFS formulas
• IF statements
• XLOOKUP or VLOOKUP
• Conditional formatting
• Basic PivotTables
• Comparing vendor pricing
• Identifying duplicate or inconsistent data
• Maintaining purchasing trackers
• Tracking purchase orders
• Analyzing material costs
• Reviewing purchasing variances

Advanced Excel skills are considered a plus but are not required. 

• 2–3 years of experience in purchasing, procurement, construction coordination, estimating, logistics, materials management, or a related field preferred.
• Candidates with strong construction knowledge and transferable experience may also be considered.
• Ability to read and understand basic construction plans, blueprints, and specifications.
• Working knowledge of residential construction materials.
• Intermediate Microsoft Excel skills.
• Strong attention to detail and numerical accuracy.
• Strong organizational and time-management skills.
• Ability to manage multiple tasks, projects, vendors, and deadlines simultaneously.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to communicate professionally with vendors, suppliers, field teams, and internal departments.
• Strong problem-solving skills and ability to identify discrepancies before they affect project execution.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office, including Excel, Outlook, and Word.
• Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced construction environment.

A successful Purchasing Agent at Matrix Basement Finishing will be able to:

• Accurately process material purchases with minimal errors.
• Read and understand construction plans well enough to verify basic purchasing requirements.
• Identify potential discrepancies before incorrect materials are ordered.
• Maintain accurate purchasing records and purchase orders.
• Effectively communicate with vendors and internal teams.
• Stay ahead of material lead times and potential shortages.
• Keep multiple active projects organized at the same time.
• Identify purchasing issues and resolve them quickly.
• Use Excel to organize and analyze purchasing data.
• Develop increasingly strong knowledge of residential construction materials.
• Become a reliable resource for Operations and Field Management.
• Help improve purchasing efficiency and reduce unnecessary material costs.

Compensation is up to $70,000 annually , based on directly related experience, construction knowledge, purchasing experience, blueprint-reading ability, and Excel proficiency.

Matrix Basement Finishing offers a competitive benefits package that may include:

• Medical insurance
• Dental insurance
• Vision insurance
• Paid time off
• Paid holidays
• Retirement benefits
• Career-development opportunities
• Advancement opportunities
• Collaborative and team-oriented work environment

Matrix Basement Finishing specializes in transforming unfinished basements into high-quality finished living spaces.

Our success depends on strong communication and coordination between Sales, Design, Operations, Project Management, Field Management, Purchasing, Warehouse, Accounting, our trade partners, and our supplier network.

The Purchasing Agent plays an important role in ensuring our teams have the correct materials available at the right time and at the right cost while supporting quality, efficiency, and a positive customer experience.

Matrix Basement Finishing is an equal opportunity employer.

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