Purchasing Associate: Onsite Position

Description

Are you an experienced, inquisitive Purchasing professional looking to be part of a growing, dynamic family-owned business? Do our core values of Sustainability, Excellence, Authenticity, Beauty, and Relationships resonate with you? Are you passionate about food, wine, and building community?

McEvoy Ranch is a 550-acre, third generation family-owned working farm in Petaluma, California, located just 35 miles north of the Golden Gate Bridge. Inspired by her love of Tuscan olive oil, founder Nan McEvoy imported 1,000 seedlings from Italy in 1990, determined to produce the same top-quality olive oil in the rolling hills of California's northern coast. Over three decades later, the ranch is known for its Estate-produced Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oils, Olio Nuovo, and a wide range of flavored olive oils produced using the Agrumato Method.

As one of California's oldest olive oil ranches, we work to create a self-sufficient and balanced ecosystem nurtured by diverse plant and animal populations. Our orchards are tended following organic regulations, and a composting system ensures that all ranch waste products, including the spent olives, are converted into compost that nurtures the soil.

Our onsite tasting room welcomes guests, offering an opportunity to sample olive oils and take in the beauty of the ranch. In addition to producing award-winning extra virgin olive oils, we produce small-lot wine and pantry essentials, including olive oil-based spreads, vinegar, mustard, honey, and olive oil-based beauty products under the name ODE Olive Oil Beauty.

Our Core Values:

Sustainability: Caring for the land, the people, and the business in such a way that we do not compromise the future for the sake of the present.

Excellence: Highest quality standards possible in customer-centric products and services.

Authenticity: Acting according to our principles. Transparency, integrity, and trust in product.

Beauty: Appreciating where form meets function, meets wonder. Seeing exquisiteness and grace in the everyday.

Relationships: Serving our community, customers, vendors, and each other with honesty and respect.

Job Summary

The Purchasing Associate is a hands-on, results-driven procurement professional who takes ownership of purchasing outcomes from quote to delivery. This role is critical to keeping the business moving—ensuring materials and products are secured on time, at the right cost, and at the required quality level. The ideal candidate is a go-getter who leads vendor conversations, pushes for better pricing and delivery commitments, and stays hyper-focused on execution in a fast-paced, evolving environment. This position requires someone who is proactive, deadline-driven, and comfortable taking the lead, not waiting to be directed.  This is an onsite position; this is not a remote position.

Key Responsibilities

• Own the full purchasing cycle—from sourcing and quoting through order placement, delivery, and issue resolution
• Create, review, and execute purchase orders across all company departments with speed, accuracy, and accountability
• Aggressively manage vendor performance, including pricing, lead times, delivery commitments, and quality standards
• Take the lead in negotiating costs, terms, and delivery timelines to support margin targets and operational needs
• Monitor inventory levels and proactively adjust purchasing to prevent shortages, excess stock, or production delays
• Track open orders daily, expedite late deliveries, and resolve issues before they impact operations
• Maintain and optimize inventory systems (Fishbowl) and sales platforms (Shopify), ensuring all data is current and accurate
• Create and maintain SKUs and UPCs (GS1) with strict attention to data integrity and consistency
• Build strong, professional, long-term supplier relationships while holding vendors accountable to expectations
• Produce accurate purchasing and inventory reports; identify anomalies quickly and act on them without delay
• Partner closely with Accounting to ensure invoice accuracy, PO matching, and timely payments
• Drive cost-saving initiatives through vendor comparisons, pricing analysis, and continuous COGS optimization
• In partnership with Product Development research, vet, and onboard new vendors to support growth, capacity, and risk mitigation
• Ensure all purchasing activities comply with company policies, contracts, and quality requirements
• Anticipate supply chain risks and respond quickly to changes in demand, lead times, or market conditions

Requirements

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent required; associate’s or bachelor’s degree preferred
• 2–4 years of purchasing or procurement experience in a fast-paced environment
• Proven ability to take initiative, lead vendor conversations, and drive results independently
• Strong negotiation skills with a track record of improving cost, delivery, or service levels
• Highly organized, deadline-focused, and able to manage multiple priorities without losing momentum
• Comfortable working in a changing, growing company where processes evolve and flexibility is required
• Proficient in Microsoft Suite and Google Drive; ERP experience strongly preferred
• Clear, confident communicator who can push back when needed and escalate issues appropriately

Preferred Skills

• Strong understanding of purchasing best practices and inventory management
• Knowledge of Bills Of Materials and Work Orders
• Ability to analyze supplier data, forecast demand, and perform cost-benefit analysis
• Experience with domestic and international purchasing, including:
  • Freight carriers and logistics coordination
  • Freight forwarders, tariffs, duties, customs clearance, and transit timelines
  • Navigating supply chain disruptions, geopolitical risk, and vendor reliability challenges
• High standards for quality, accuracy, and follow-through

Work Environment & Physical Demands

• In-office role in a fast-paced warehouse environment
• Monday–Friday, 7:00 AM – 3:30 PM
• Occasional weekends or overtime as business demands require
• Must be able to sit for long periods, frequent use of wrists, hands and fingers
• Must be able to lift at least 40 lbs. and push & pull at least 40 lbs.
• Must be able to stand, walk, squat, kneel, bend, reach out & above shoulder, stand & walking between buildings occasionally
• Must be able to use ladders to reach high areas
• Frequent use of the senses of vision, hearing, smell, and touch
• Works frequently in varied temperatures
• Regular local travel in company vehicles

Pay Rate: $25 to $33 per hour depending upon experience