Purchasing Assistant

At Smith Gardens, our business is growing: Growing annuals and perennials, growing our relationships with partners, growing our love of gardening, and growing our team’s passion and expertise in horticulture—all for the benefit of the consumers who love to garden.

Whether we are out in the greenhouses or working in the office, our Smith Gardens team is dedicated to delivering the healthiest plants on the market for the biggest impact on our partners’ shelves and in our customers’ gardens.

One of our Core Values is People: “We value and respect all people. We are focused on developing teams and growing the potential of individuals.” We encourage personal growth and continued education so that each member of our Smith Gardens family succeeds. We take as much care cultivating the ecosystem of our offices as we do our gardens. Achieving the quality we strive for in our products and culture is truly a team effort, and every role is vital.

Nurturing growth, collaboration and community is in our nature. Put down roots at any of our five locations and unearth your full potential.

We have an exciting opportunity for a Purchasing Assistant to join our Production Department. The Purchasing Assistant is responsible for managing purchasing, supply chain operations, and vendor relations for both PP&L and Smith Gardens' Watsonville, CA location. This role involves sourcing, procuring, and maintaining inventory of essential materials, including but not limited to live goods, plastics, media, chemicals, and general nursery supplies. The Purchasing Coordinator ensures timely and cost-effective procurement while maintaining strong relationships with vendors to support efficient greenhouse operations.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Purchase and track green goods requirements using Material Requirements Report and Workspace to ensure accurate inventory management.

• Maintain and upload availability files to Picas for real-time inventory tracking.

• Assist the Purchasing Manager by confirming purchase orders (POs), maintaining open order reports, communicating with brokers to resolve issues, and providing solutions for substitutions or backorders as necessary.

• Enter and resolve schedule comments on behalf of the Purchasing department.

• Ensure accuracy of PO statuses, dates, and quantities by maintaining clean and up-to-date records.

• Assist Production in pulling multiple reports to determine the number of tables needed for URC, TC, seed, and stock.

• Support Production with override adjustments to account for extra plant material received each week.

• Create and manage house, blanket, and lot orders as required.

• Address and resolve incomplete orders on behalf of the Purchasing department.

• Develop skills to support the Purchasing Manager in URC/TC purchases, crediting processes, hard goods purchasing, and Accounts Payable as needed.

• Communicate supply concerns directly with Smith Gardens Supply Chain Director and Purchasing Coordinator, proactively identifying solutions.

• Optimize seed stock usage to maintain efficient inventory management and ensure order fulfillment.Complete additional duties or projects as assigned by the Purchasing Manager.

COMPETENCIES:

• Strong understanding of purchasing processes, including vendor negotiations and order tracking.

• Ability to manage inventory levels efficiently to prevent shortages or overstocking.

• Identifies and resolves discrepancies in orders, invoices, or inventory.

• Communicates effectively to resolve issues such as backorders, substitutions, and quality concerns.

• Experience with Picas or similar inventory and purchasing software.

• Adjusts purchasing strategies to meet changing inventory demands and vendor availability.

• Works closely with internal teams, including production, supply chain, and finance, to align purchasing with operational needs.

• Manages multiple tasks, POs, and vendor communications efficiently in a fast-paced environment.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

• High School Diploma or Equivalent required.

• Bilingual (English Spanish) preferred.

• Strong communication skills – verbal and written, in-person, and via phone.

• Proficiency in MS Office, with intermediate knowledge of Excel for data analysis and reporting.

• Analytical approach to problem-solving, with the ability to assess supply chain issues and identify solutions.

• Experience with ERP or business management software, preferably in purchasing or inventory management.

• Horticulture education or industry experience preferred.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Ability to sit, stand, and walk for extended periods, including navigating greenhouse and warehouse areas.

• Ability to lift, carry, and move up to 25 lbs occasionally.

• Comfortable working in a greenhouse environment, which may include exposure to heat, humidity, cold, dust, chemicals, and plant materials.

• Manual dexterity to handle paperwork, operate a computer, and use office equipment efficiently.

• Ability to occasionally bend, stoop, kneel, and reach for filing, inventory checks, or supply handling.

• Seasonal peaks may require some weekend work and extended hours to meet production and purchasing deadlines.

• The ability to handle a fast-paced environment with frequent interruptions while maintaining accuracy and efficiency.

BENEFITS:

• Medical/Dental/Vision insurance and Health Savings Accounts (HSA's) with employer contributions
• 401K retirement plan options with employer match
• Paid holidays
• Paid Time Off- Full-time employees accrue immediately!
• Annual Profit share
• Generous Employee Flower/Plant Discount Program
• Development opportunities
• Paid Time off for volunteering and community service
• Employee Assistance Program
• Wellness program
• Fun employee events throughout the year

PAY RANGE: $28 - $29 per hour

Pay rate is determined by various components including, but not limited to, experience, skills, qualifications, relevant education, certifications, seniority, and location. The pay rate is one component of the total compensation package. Other rewards vary by position and location.

To learn more about our company & view a more detailed job description, visit our website at smithgardens.com/careers.

We look forward to hearing from you!

Smith Gardens provides equal employment opportunity to all persons regardless of age, color, national origin, citizenship status, physical or mental disability, race, religion, creed, gender, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, genetic information, marital status, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal or state law.