Purchasing Agent

Centex Homes is one of the nation's leading and largest homebuilders. Operating in over 90 markets in 25 states, we built over 33,000 homes last year, have completed approximately 400,000 homes to date, and are continuing to grow at a rapid pace. Leading brands of Centex Homes, Fox & Jacobs, and Centex Destination Properties, allow our company to provide homebuilders a tremendous amount of experience, buying power, and value.

Centex Corporation, our parent company, is the only company to rank among the top 10 U.S. Home Builders for more than 30 consecutive years. We consistently rank as the No. 1 most admired company in our industry, according to FORTUNE magazine and were one of the top 5 on the Builder 100 list of America's largest home builders for 2004.

1. What are the major objectives to be accomplished by the person in this job?

The Purchasing Agent assists with all purchasing activity for Centex Homes, and serves as the primary contact in the division for an assigned group of vendors, including preparing bid packages, collecting pricing, maintaining scopes of work, vendor files and insurance records, administering contracts, controlling budgets, and facilitating payment.


2. What are the most frequent and most essential work activities in this job?

Maintain and operate the EV-2 procurement and contract management system on a day-to-day basis
Maintain and administer the vendor portal (BWC ' Build with Centex) on a day-to-day basis
Assist in maintaining cost and price data for community specifications and standard option offerings
Manage a group of assigned vendors
Work closely with the Estimating and Architecture Department(s) to establish unit pricing and maintain a unit-price schedule for assigned vendors.
Spend up to 25% of the time weekly in the field analyzing purchases and verifying quantities, quality, and service levels.
Work with Divisional and Regional Purchasing departments to reduce or maintain brick and mortar costs at acceptable levels.
Negotiate and track rebates and incentives from assigned vendors.
Assist the Purchasing Manager with quarterly look-forward forecasting of brick and mortar costs.
Assist the Purchasing Manager with researching and implementing new products, construction processes and/or services.
Work with the Construction Services Department on material and labor costing and contract management system needs.
Other duties and responsibilities as assigned


3. What people and how many are managed by the person in this job?

None


4. What are the primary people contacts in this job? (With whom? What purpose? How often?)

Suppliers and Vendors ' Daily
Accounting ' Daily
Sales ' As needed
Construction ' Daily
Estimating ' Daily
Design Center ' As needed


5. What behavioral traits, attitudes and skills are required?

A comprehensive knowledge of standard residential building practices, including structural elements and product installation means and methods
Ability to read and understand all house construction plans, specifications and geologic reports
Have a working knowledge of local building codes
Thorough understanding of the purchasing function and of effective, valued-added negotiation practices
Ability to comprehensively understand and evaluate the vendor's business and the relative value to Centex Homes of the products or services offered
Proficient in computer word processing and spreadsheet applications, preferably Microsoft Excel,
Microsoft Word, Microsoft Access or Lotus Approach. Experience with Microsoft Project,
Primavera Expedition and/or Sure Trac (construction scheduling) a plus

Effective external and internal communication skills
Successful interaction with a variety of personality styles in a variety of situations
Conflict resolution skills
Proficient time management and organizational skills


6. What are the prerequisites for employment? (Education, prior experience, other?)

A high school degree is required; however, a four-year degree in Business, Engineering or Construction Management is preferred.
Minimum of 1 year experience in construction field (at least 6 months in purchasing or estimating preferred).
Completion or equivalent of all Level 1 training segments within 3 months of hire date.
Completion of Centex Homes EV2 Emersion Training within 6 months of hire date.


7. What are the toughest parts of this job on a day-to-day basis?

Conflict resolution, time management, strategic planning, and accurate, thorough, and timely communication

8. What is the compensation and benefits package for this position?

Negotiable

9. What leadership style will be used to manage the individual in this position?

Team player, goal and systems-oriented

Hands off approach will be taken, once the employee has successfully completed the appropriate training
* Quarterly reviews will also be conducted

/