Industry: U.S.-Based Lighting Rental Company
Role: Purchasing Coordinator (2 Full-Time, Remote Hires)
Locations: Colombia & Mexico
Salary: $4,250/month for both
Estimated U.S. Cost: ~$11,000/month ($5,500 per hire)
Total Savings: 61%
Time to Hire: 10 days
Background: Scaling Procurement Operations Efficiently
As a U.S.-based lighting rental company continued scaling its day-to-day operations and vendor relationships, procurement quickly became a critical function. The business needed reliable support to manage purchasing workflows, vendor coordination, inventory tracking, and documentation, without slowing down operations.
Hiring locally in the U.S., however, proved unsustainable due to rising costs, and the internal team lacked the bandwidth to manage recruitment, compliance, and payroll administration. Rather than diverting focus from core business operations, the client chose to fully outsource the hiring process to South.
The Challenge: Finding Reliable, Detail-Oriented Procurement Talent
The client needed purchasing professionals who could:
- Own the procurement process end-to-end
- Communicate effectively with vendors and internal stakeholders
- Manage purchase orders, invoices, and inventory with precision
- Operate independently in a fast-paced environment
- Collaborate seamlessly with U.S.-based teams
This wasn’t just an administrative role. The Purchasing Coordinator was critical to ensuring timely, cost-effective, and accurate purchasing of goods and services, while supporting cross-functional teams such as finance, operations, and warehouse.
Core Responsibilities
- Manage Purchase Orders (POs) end-to-end
- Coordinate with vendors on pricing, availability, and delivery timelines
- Track inventory levels and order status
- Resolve invoice, shipment, and delivery discrepancies
- Maintain accurate purchasing and vendor records
- Collaborate closely with finance and operations teams
Key Requirements
- Proven experience in purchasing or procurement roles
- Strong vendor coordination and negotiation skills
- Advanced Excel / Microsoft Office proficiency
- Experience with ERP or purchasing systems
- High attention to detail and strong organizational skills
- Fluent English; experience working with U.S.-based teams
The Solution: Two Perfect Hires in 10 Days
South managed the entire hiring process end-to-end, including:
- LATAM talent sourcing
- Technical and experience vetting
- English proficiency evaluation
- Candidate presentation in structured batches
- Compliance, contracts, and payroll setup
Within just 10 days, South presented two highly qualified candidates who met both the technical and cultural requirements. The client was so confident in the talent presented that they decided to hire both candidates, strengthening their procurement function immediately.
Meet the Talent
Ana from Colombia
Ana is a bilingual purchasing professional with over 5 years of experience working with U.S.-based companies.
Background highlights:
- Bachelor’s Degree in International Business
- Specialization in Project Management
- Strong experience in inventory management, international trade, and data analysis
Key skills:
- Excel, Microsoft Office, Power BI
- Salesforce, Asana, Trello
- Inventory management and purchasing coordination
Soft skills:
- Teamwork and leadership
- Critical thinking and creative problem-solving
Ana’s combination of technical skills, business education, and experience with U.S. companies made her a strong and reliable hire from day one.
Fernando from Mexico
Fernando is a senior procurement professional with 9+ years of experience in purchasing, logistics, and imports.
Background highlights:
- Bachelor’s Degree in International Business Administration
- Business Strategy Program
- English studies completed in the United States
Key strengths:
- Vendor negotiation and supplier management
- Team leadership and cross-functional collaboration
- Strong analytical mindset and proactive approach
Fernando’s experience leading purchasing operations and negotiating with vendors brought immediate structure and efficiency to the client’s procurement workflows.
Results: Stronger Procurement, Lower Costs, Faster Execution
- Time to Hire: 10 days
- Monthly Cost: $4,250 vs. ~$11,000 in the U.S.
- Savings: ~61%
- Impact:
Both hires are actively working with the client and have become key contributors to daily operations.
Why Hire With South?
South helps U.S. companies scale operations, procurement, and back-office teams with senior LATAM talent. We handle sourcing, vetting, compliance, payroll, and ongoing support, so our clients can grow faster, smarter, and more efficiently.
👉 Looking to scale your operations without U.S. hiring costs? Let’s talk
