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Assistant Purchasing Agent Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

This role is ideal for an experienced Purchasing Agent with residential homebuilding or commercial construction purchasing experience, or a strong Assistant Purchasing Agent from a larger homebuilder ...

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Purchasing Agent

Fountain Valley, CA · On-site

$70K - $95K/yr

The Purchasing Agent is responsible for sourcing and negotiating with suppliers and trade partners ... Assist with weekly order status reporting. · Enter Purchase orders into Vista daily · Gain ...

Purchasing Agent

Santa Clarita, CA · On-site

$90K - $120K/yr

The Purchasing Agent will provide support to the purchasing department and division by assisting ... Coordinate and participate in value engineering meetings. * Assist predevelopment with preliminary ...

Maintain purchasing data, contracts, scopes, and pricing within purchasing and ERP systems ... Monitor trade partner performance, availability, and compliance; assist in resolving pricing ...

Maintain purchasing data, contracts, scopes, and pricing within purchasing and ERP systems ... Monitor trade partner performance, availability, and compliance; assist in resolving pricing ...

Purchasing Assistant

Corona, CA · On-site

$19.50 - $25.25/hr

The right candidate will assist the Land Development Purchasing Agent and Department in the following areas: Essential Duties and Responsibilities * Pre-qualify prospective bidders * Prepare Bid ...

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Assistant Purchasing Agent information

See California salary details

$24.7K

$59.7K

$95.2K

How much do assistant purchasing agent jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 13, 2026, the average yearly pay for assistant purchasing agent in California is $59,672.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $45,900.00 and $68,600.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does an assistant purchasing agent do?

An Assistant Purchasing Agent helps manage the procurement of goods and services for an organization. They assist in sourcing suppliers, requesting quotes, preparing purchase orders, and tracking deliveries. Their role often includes maintaining records, ensuring compliance with company policies, and supporting the main purchasing agent in negotiations. This position requires strong organizational skills and attention to detail to ensure cost-effective and timely procurement.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an assistant purchasing agent?

To thrive as an Assistant Purchasing Agent, you need strong analytical abilities, attention to detail, and a background in business, supply chain, or a related field. Familiarity with procurement software, enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems, and sometimes certifications such as Certified Professional in Supply Management (CPSM) are common requirements. Excellent negotiation, communication, and organizational skills help build vendor relationships and manage multiple priorities. These competencies ensure efficient purchasing processes, cost savings, and reliable supply chains for the organization.

What are some common challenges faced by assistant purchasing agents and how can they be managed?

Assistant Purchasing Agents often encounter challenges such as managing multiple supplier relationships, ensuring timely delivery of goods, and balancing cost efficiency with quality standards. Staying organized and maintaining clear communication with vendors and internal teams is essential. Utilizing procurement software and regularly updating order tracking can help prevent delays and errors, while ongoing training supports effective negotiation and problem-solving skills.

What is the difference between Assistant Purchasing Agent vs Purchasing Agent?

AspectAssistant Purchasing AgentPurchasing Agent
CredentialsHigh school diploma or equivalent; some certificationsHigh school diploma; often some certifications or experience
Work EnvironmentSupports purchasing team, administrative tasksLeads procurement, negotiates with suppliers
ResponsibilitiesAssists in order processing, data entrySources suppliers, negotiates contracts

The Assistant Purchasing Agent typically supports the purchasing team with administrative tasks and order processing, while the Purchasing Agent takes on more responsibility for sourcing suppliers and negotiating contracts. The roles are closely related, with the assistant position often serving as a stepping stone to the purchasing agent role.

What are the most commonly searched types of Purchasing Agent jobs in California?

The most popular types of Purchasing Agent jobs in California are:

What cities in California are hiring for Assistant Purchasing Agent jobs?

Cities in California with the most Assistant Purchasing Agent job openings:

Infographic showing various Assistant Purchasing Agent job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 2% As Needed, 79% Full Time, 16% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 98% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 1% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $59,672 per year, or $28.7 per hour.

Buyer/Purchasing Specialist

Riverside, CA

AppleOne
Recruiting and Staffing Services • 1 - 5K employees

$95K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement

Posted yesterday

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Job description

Job Summary
A residential homebuilder in Riverside, CA is seeking a hands-on Buyer/Purchasing Specialist for a direct hire opportunity. This role is ideal for an experienced Purchasing Agent with residential homebuilding or commercial construction purchasing experience, or a strong Assistant Purchasing Agent from a larger homebuilder who is ready to step into a broader role with more responsibility.
This is a strong opportunity for a construction purchasing professional who wants to be directly involved in ground-up homebuilding projects, work closely with leadership, and partner with the construction team in a collaborative, fast-moving environment. The position offers visibility, ownership, and the ability to make a meaningful impact on project costs, vendor relationships, purchasing processes, and field support.
The work environment is well-suited for someone who enjoys being part of a smaller, hands-on team where communication, accountability, teamwork, and problem-solving are valued.
Key Responsibilities
- Obtain, review, compare, and negotiate bids from subcontractors, vendors, and suppliers for residential construction projects.
- Prepare and manage purchase orders, contracts, scopes of work, and change orders to support accurate project execution.
- Review construction plans, specifications, and trade scopes to ensure purchasing accuracy and alignment with project needs.
- Track project costs, monitor material and labor pricing, and help maintain construction budgets.
- Coordinate with Superintendents and construction teams to ensure materials, vendors, and trades are available when needed.
- Develop and maintain strong subcontractor and supplier relationships while resolving pricing, scope, material, and vendor issues.
Compensation and Benefits
- Direct hire opportunity.
- Assistant Purchasing role: $70,000 to $80,000 per year.
- Purchasing Agent with homebuilding or commercial construction experience: $85,000 to $95,000 per year.
- Overall salary range provided: $75,000 to $95,000 per year.


Equal Opportunity Employer / Disabled / Protected Veterans
The Know Your Rights poster is available here:
https://www.eeoc.gov/sites/default/files/2023-06/22-088_EEOC_KnowYourRights6.12.pdf
The pay transparency policy is available here:
https://www.dol.gov/sites/dolgov/files/ofccp/pdf/pay-transp_%20English_formattedESQA508c.pdf
For temporary assignments lasting 13 weeks or longer, the Company is pleased to offer major medical, dental, vision, 401k and any statutory sick pay where required.
We are committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the employment process, please contact your staffing representative who will reach out to our HR team.
AppleOne participates in the E-Verify program in certain locations as required by law. Learn more about the E-Verify program.
https://e-verify.uscis.gov/web/media/resourcesContents/E-Verify_Participation_Poster_ES.pdf
We also consider for employment qualified applicants regardless of criminal histories, consistent with legal requirements, including, if applicable, the City of Los Angeles’ Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance. Pursuant to applicable state and municipal Fair Chance Laws and Ordinances, we will consider for employment-qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records, including, if applicable, the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance. For Los Angeles, CA applicants: Qualified applications with arrest or conviction records will be considered for employment in accordance with the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for Employers and the California Fair Chance Act.
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Company Description

This company offers growth and a great group of people to work with.


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About AppleOne

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

AppleOne is a renowned staffing service based in Glendale, California, USA. Positioned in the Human Resources industry, the company offers extensive staffing and recruiting solutions, such as temporary, full-time, and part-time placement, to companies across diverse industry sectors. The company was established by Bernie Howroyd in 1964, launching the business to aid others in finding excellent jobs and companies in finding excellent people.

Industry

Recruiting and staffing services

Company size

1,001 - 5,000 Employees

Headquarters location

Glendale, CA, US

Year founded

1964