Company Overview:

Ashton Woods is more than just a home builder. From the sale of our first home in 1989 to recently being named Builder of the Year by Builder Magazine, our focus has always been on blazing new trails and pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in homebuilding. Ashton Woods, the #1 private home builder in the United States, markets its homes through its two award-winning brands, Ashton Woods and Starlight Homes. The Ashton Woods brand is known for designing thoughtfully curated, inspired homes for people who love design. The Starlight Homes brand builds homes specifically for the first-time homebuyer, offering affordable homes with well-executed designs and quality finishes for buyers looking to make the dream of home ownership a reality. The company’s commitment to innovation and continually evolving to meet the needs of the market is a key reason we are one of the most celebrated homebuilders in the nation, winning hundreds of national and local industry awards in product and community design, architecture, merchandising, sales, marketing, and customer service.

Headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, Ashton Woods sells new homes in Atlanta, Austin, Charleston, Dallas, Houston, Nashville, Orlando, Phoenix, Raleigh, San Antonio and Tampa

Position Profile:

Responsible for determining cost estimates for homes from development through construction phases, including standard upgrade options. Recruit, Develop, and Negotiate contracts with new vendor trade partners as well as effectively manage current trade partners. Responsible for negotiating construction labor and material contracts. Senior Purchasing Agent will be the point person on special projects as needed.

Duties and Responsibilities: (Included but not limited to)

• Create and revise, as needed, the Trade Partner Scope of Work, reports, and redline worksheets for new projects/product and plans.
• Plan and execute project specific or annual bidding process with auditing compliance, per cost type.
• Reconcile contract options as needed.
• Develop subdivision bid comparison spreadsheets and bid books, per project.
• Confirm accuracy on turnkey bids by performing unit pricing takeoffs and comparisons, per responsible cost type.
• Coordinate w/engineers to incorporate value engineering concepts into the design and construction of the homes.
• Attend project manager meetings as needed to answer questions about takeoffs or Engineering issues, prevent misuse of materials and eliminate variances.
• Assist Director of Purchasing in review of budgets for monthly pricing adjustments.
• Review and correct takeoffs required by Problem Area Reports (PAR), field contact, frame walks, and variance purchase orders as they relate to bids and estimates.
• Utilize DB standards and processes as it relates to takeoffs, job costing, and layers.
• Responsible for escalated invoices relating to estimating errors and budget changes.
• Responsible for escalated problems with purchase orders.
• Maintain invite-to-bid, bid awards, preferred and potential trade partner documents.
• Field questions from construction staff regarding change orders, purchase orders, plan errors and clarifications.
• After Director of Purchasing’s review, enter lot specific (MLOT) budgets for new projects within assigned period of time as defined by manager, including MLOT budget adjustments submitted by builders. Reconcile MLOT invoices as needed.
• Walk houses under construction looking for cost savings and material usage opportunities.
• Continually challenge and validate existing take offs to ensure variance objectives are met.
• Other duties as assigned, including Energy Programs, Rebates, and Code Compliance.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Business, Construction, Production/Operations Management, Engineering or related field preferred.

Skills and Knowledge:

• Knowledgeable about the construction industry, including construction costs, building codes, materials, products, methods and procedures.
• Ability to read blueprints, construction drawings and addendums.
• Must be able to use word processing, e-mail, spreadsheets, presentation (PowerPoint), and database software for advanced internal and external communications.
• Creation of reports, presentations and database maintenance.
• Ability to review, analyze and interpret information as well as trouble-shoot to solve problems.
• Knowledge of business English and ability to communicate effectively and professionally with both internal and external customers both orally and in writing.
• Ability to multi-task and prioritize several tasks without compromising quality of work or mission deadlines.
• Ability to adapt in a changing workplace.
• Computer literacy, proficiency with Outlook, Excel, Word, Power Point and ability to learn new programs as needed.
• Proven organization skills in a high paced work environment.
• Skilled at complex negotiations.

Experience:

• homebuilding construction background preferred.
• 5-7 years progressive experience in purchasing.
• Minimum two years of direct field experience in home-building.

Typical Physical and Mental Demands:

• Must be able to read, write, and speak fluently in English. Spanish language skills are helpful.
• Employees in the position are required to be able to hear and have vision sufficient to utilize all office equipment.
• Use of hands and fingers is required to utilize standard office equipment.
• Use of feet and legs required to walk, climb and maneuver within construction sites
• Requires occasional lifting up to 50 pounds.
• These physical requirements are representative of those required to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodation will be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these functions if requested.

Working Conditions:

• Work is occasionally performed in a typical office environment using standard office equipment. Work is typically active, walking and standing are also necessary. Work hours may be variable.
• Fast paced environment subject to numerous schedule and priority change and short notice activity.

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