At Riverside Homebuilders, every team member plays a crucial role in ensuring that our building process runs smoothly, and Julia Horton, a dedicated Purchasing Coordinator, brings passion and efficiency to her work and is instrumental in managing the behind-the-scenes details that keeps us moving forward. 

Her journey into the industry began working for another builder, where she initially explored different roles, including design, before realizing her passion was in purchasing. While searching for her next job opportunity, an opening for our team was the first one she saw—something she said felt like fate. As she browsed our Facebook page, she was impressed by the beautiful homes, frequent updates and a specific post highlighting Riverside Homebuilders as one of the top builders in the area, and she knew then that she had to apply. Since joining the team, she has embraced the challenges and rewards of her role—making a meaningful impact on the home building process and our entire Riverside Homebuilders’ community. 

Behind the Scenes of Home Building

For Julia, the most fulfilling part of her job is knowing that she plays a vital role in bringing homes to life. “It’s cool knowing that I’m one of the many important people who gets the ball rolling for a home to be built,” she says. Each day, she navigates a variety of tasks, from managing purchase orders and vendor communication to overseeing new communities and projects. Her work may not always be visible to homeowners, but it’s an essential component of ensuring that each home is built with efficiency and precision. 

While there are many positive aspects of her work, one of the challenges Julia sometimes faces in her role is staying connected with the field teams. “While some of us are in the office, a lot of people are out in the field, and it can be a bit difficult to know what exactly is going on out there,” she explains. To bridge this gap, she focuses on building strong relationships with builders and area managers, fostering better communication and collaboration across teams in order to help her stay informed and ensure that purchasing aligns seamlessly with field operations.  

The Strategic Side of Purchasing

A common misconception about purchasing in homebuilding is that it is simply a desk job. “A lot more goes into it than that!” Julia emphasizes. Beyond processing orders, purchasing requires strategic planning, problem-solving and an in-depth understanding of the materials and logistics that go into constructing a home. Throughout her time at Riverside Homebuilders, Julia has learned the importance of curiosity and continuous learning. 

“A lesson I’ve learned that has helped me grow is to not be afraid to ask questions,” she shares. She advises those looking to start a career in purchasing or home building to be open to learning, adaptable to new challenges and to research home products and construction processes—as understanding the big picture can make a significant difference in the field. “No two days are ever the same. I’m always learning something new or starting a project that requires me to expand my knowledge beyond what I already know.” 

Balancing Work and Everyday Life

Beyond her role, Julia enjoys the strong sense of community within the Riverside team. The company culture fosters collaboration, and she appreciates the team outings and lunches that allow her to build personal connections with her colleagues. Outside of work, however, Julia makes plenty of time for her hobbies—doing nails in her free time, often practicing on herself and occasionally on friends and family. She also loves spending time outdoors, hiking with her dog and her boyfriend and catching up on her favorite TV series—which at the moment is The Walking Dead.

Continuing to Build Success

Julia’s dedication, adaptability and enthusiasm make her an invaluable part of our team at Riverside Homebuilders. Her role in purchasing ensures that homes are built efficiently, and her commitment to learning and growing continues to strengthen the team, and we couldn’t be happier to have her as part of our team.

If you’re interested in learning more about our team, our work or our new homes in DFW, give us a call at (817) 601-6230 or fill out our online form today.