Purchasing Agent

Company Overview

Who is Costa Farms? We’re one of the world’s largest horticultural growers—but without an ego to match our acreage. Our headquarters are in Miami, Florida, where we were founded in 1961. Costa Farms started on just 30 acres, and over the last 60 years, we’ve grown to more than 5,000 acres around the world. We have farms in North and South Carolina, Central and South Florida, and the Dominican Republic, plus an office in China. Costa Farms now employs nearly 6,000 people: engineers, marketers, accountants/analysts, human resources professionals, and of course, growers and plant scientists!   

Here at Costa Farms, we live by the values of H3: being Humble, staying Hungry, and always Hustling. The team rallies to the mission of being a lean, green, growing machine dedicated to enriching the world by bringing plants into everyone’s life.  

True to that mission, we grow more than 1,500 plant varieties. Driven by the spirit of innovation, the team is always testing new plants and developing new solutions to make it easier for retailers and plant parents to enjoy plants. We’re also continuously testing different ways of growing our plants to increase quality and improve their ecological footprint as one aspect of our many sustainability efforts.  

We cultivate plants, as well as a winning culture. Join the team, and you’ll find opportunities to learn and grow. You’ll collaborate with other driven, determined people who together keep Costa Farms an industry leader. You’ll support and be supported by a team that cares about each other, our customers, our consumers, and our community.   

You’ll also find right away that Costa Farms is committed to providing a diverse environment. We’re proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetic information, disability, age, military status, marital status or veteran status, or any other group status protected by federal, state, or local law.  

DESCRIPTION

The Live Goods Purchasing Agent is responsible for the end-to-end procurement of assigned live goods (direct materials) in alignment with production and demand planning requirements. The position plays a critical role in ensuring consistent, timely, and accurate supply flow to support production schedules and customer commitments. This position requires a collaborative, solutions-oriented professional who can operate both tactically (executing daily procurement activities) and strategically (anticipating risks, improving processes, and influencing outcomes across the supply chain).

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Execute purchase orders based on production plans, system signals, and inventory needs 
• Review planning and inventory reports to support accurate and timely purchasing decisions 
• Maintain order accuracy by confirming purchase orders and updating system data as needed 
•   Track open orders and follow up with vendors to ensure on-time delivery 
• Expedite or adjust orders to resolve potential delays or material shortages 
• Support alignment of supply with demand by responding to changes in production or availability 
• Communicate supply issues, delays, or constraints to internal teams in a timely manner 
• Coordinate with vendors to resolve order discrepancies, including pricing, quantities, and delivery issues 
• Assist with resolving invoice and receiving discrepancies to ensure accurate processing 
• Support logistics activities such as scheduling pickups and coordinating shipments as needed 
• Process returns, claims, and replacement orders when required 
• Maintain accurate data within purchasing systems, reports, and material catalogs

Additional Responsibilities

• Participate in weekly team and vendor meetings to stay aligned on priorities and updates 
• Assist in preparing and reviewing vendor performance reports 
• Support continuous improvement efforts related to purchasing processes and material flow 

• 2+ years of experience in purchasing, procurement, supply chain, or a related field
• Strong attention to detail with the ability to manage multiple tasks and deadlines
• Solid organizational and time management skills
• Strong communication skills in English and Spanish (written and verbal)
• Ability to follow structured processes and work in a fast-paced environment
• Basic analytical skills with the ability to review data and support decision-making
• Ability to work collaboratively across teams and build effective working relationships
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office (especially Excel, Outlook, and Teams)

Preferred:

• Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain, Business, or a related field
• Experience working with ERP or MRP systems
• Certification in purchasing or supply chain (a plus, not required)
• Experience supporting vendor communication or procurement operations

SKILLS

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to effectively communicate complex information to employees.
• Demonstrated ability to work well in a team-oriented environment.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and handle sensitive information with discretion.
• Strong analytical and critical thinking abilities. Capable of identifying problems, evaluating options, and implementing practical solutions.
• Effective time management skills to complete tasks within deadlines and maintain productivity.
• Ability to work independently as well as collaboratively within a team environment.
• Ability to troubleshoot and resolve issues efficiently.

COMPETENCIES

• Collaborates
• Communicates effectively 
• Customer Focus
• Drives results

After applying, connect with us on LinkedIn, Instagram, TikTok and your go-to social platforms to stay updated on exciting developments at Costa Farms and build relationships with fellow plant enthusiasts on our team. Come Grow with Us™!