Purchasing Agent I

Purchasing Agent I

Full Time + Benefits (Medical, Dental, Vision, 401k with Company Match, PTO)

Job Type: Onsite

Hourly Range: $20.00-35.00, DOE

Location: Chatsworth, CA.

Shift: 1st - 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM

Fralock is an engineered solutions provider of specialty components and subassemblies using advanced materials for high reliability, severe environment, and technically challenging applications. We develop and manufacture custom integrated solutions. Established in 1967, we are a critical solutions provider to Fortune 500 corporations, government, and targeted OEMs in a variety of industries including Semiconductor Equipment Manufacturing, Medical and Life Science, Aerospace and Defense, Industrial, Electronics, and Energy. Fralock is headquartered in Valencia, CA with manufacturing locations located throughout Northern and Southern California.

This position requires access to information controlled under the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) or the Export Administration Regulations (EAR), the successful candidate must be a "U.S. person" as defined in the ITAR and EAR (which generally means (i) be a citizen or national of the United States; or (ii) be a lawful permanent resident of the United States; or (iii) have been admitted to the United States as a refugee, or have been granted asylum, as specified under applicable law.

Job Summary

The Purchasing Agent I is responsible for ensuring the timely flow of materials, supplier deliveries, and production orders required to meet customer commitments and manufacturing schedules. The position serves as the primary point of contact for supplier expediting activities by actively managing open purchase orders, material shortages, and production priorities. In addition, the role supports receiving and inventory accuracy functions and provides transportation services between company facilities and local suppliers to facilitate uninterrupted production operations.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage and expedite open purchase orders, critical materials, and at-risk supplier commitments to support production and customer delivery schedules.
• Partner with suppliers and internal teams to resolve shortages, recovery plans, schedule conflicts, and production-critical requirements.
• Maintain accurate ERP/MRP delivery commitments, track supplier performance, and prepare expedite reports.
• Participate in shortage review meetings and identify opportunities to improve supplier responsiveness and delivery performance.
• Receive, verify, and process incoming materials, including ERP/MRP receipt and inventory transactions.
• Coordinate with Receiving, Purchasing and Quality Assurance to resolve receiving discrepancies such as shortages, overages, or damaged shipments.
• Support inventory accuracy through documentation, labeling, proper storage, cycle counts, audits, and stockroom organization.
• Safely operate company vehicles to transport materials, parts, tooling, and documentation between company facilities, local vendors, suppliers, and service providers.
• Support urgent production needs through same-day pickups, deliveries, verification of materials, and proper documentation such as proof of delivery and packing slips.
• Ensure materials are protected during transport while following safe handling practices, reporting vehicle concerns, and maintaining a professional company image.
• Follow all safety standards and procedures, including PPE requirements for a manufacturing environment.
• Maintain an organized, clean, and safe work area using safety standards and expectations
• Other duties as needed or assigned.

Required Skills

• Must have excellent written and verbal skills. Ability to read, analyze, and interpret general business information. Ability to write reports, business correspondence, and procedure manuals. Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of managers.
• Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out detailed but uninvolved written or oral instructions.
• Ability to manage and solve problems involving a few concrete variables in standardized and complex situations.
• Knowledge of purchasing, inventory, receiving, logistics, and manufacturing processes
• Proficiency in ERP systems and Microsoft Suite for tracking, reporting, and data management.
• Must have solid analytical skills and solution-driven thinking. Able to use data to make decisions.
• Ability to apply continuous improvement and lean principles to enhance efficiency and productivity.
• Experience with KPI tracking, performance metrics, and data analysis to support operational improvements
• Strong supplier followup, communication, and negotiation skills.
• Must have a valid driver's license and ability to pass a driving record check.

Preferred Skills

• Current Certification for stand-up and sit-down forklift

Education Requirements

• High School Degree or General Education Degree and two to three years of related experience and/or training; or equivalent combination of education and experience
• Associates (A.S) or Bachelors (B.S.) degree in supply chain, business, or related field highly desired.
• Minimum of three years of warehouse, shipping, receiving and inventory experience, preferably in manufacturing.
• Experience managing ERP systems (e.g., Made-2-Manage).

Physical Requirements

• Frequent use of hands for handling equipment, and operating forklifts and vehicles.
• Ability to perform similar operations and tasks for 6-8 hours.
• Ability to sit and stand for 6 to 8 hours.
• Ability to lift up to 25 lbs. frequently
• Ability to lift, push and pull up to 50 lbs. occasionally.
• Ability to bend and reach for 6 to 8 hours.

Working Conditions

• Work performed indoors in a temperature controlled environment frequently and outdoors with temperature variations occasionally.
• Required use of PPE including safety glasses, gloves, and safety-toed footwear.
• While performing the duties of this job, will regularly be exposed to moving high-speed machinery and mechanical parts. Will occasionally be exposed to machine oils and hazardous materials.

All offers of employment at Fralock are contingent upon clear results of a background check. Background checks may include some or all the following depending on job title and responsibilities:

• Social Security Verification
• Prior Employment Verification
• Criminal History
• Personal and Professional References
• Motor Vehicle Records
• Credit History

Fralock provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.