Senior Specialist: Buyer

JOB SUMMARY
Performs a variety of responsible purchasing activities for assigned schools, including working with users, contractors, and vendors to determine how to best meet the school system's needs.

Additional Work Days/Hours
Based on the assignment, the following additional work days and/or hours may be required as needed:

• Ability to work flexible schedules

ESSENTIAL DUTIES/RESPONSIBILITIES

• Assists in planning, coordinating, and controlling the central purchasing activities for the school system.
• Consolidates the needs of the various organizational users to maximize the purchasing power of the school system.
• Confers and consults continuously with the organizational users to assure their compliance with purchasing procedures and policies.
• Confers with contractors, vendors and their representatives discussing materials, equipment, supplies, services, prices, and trade and cash discounts; and evaluates and determines which combination will best suit the school system's needs.
• Researches/drafts/prepares specifications, and requests for bids and proposals.
• Prepares correspondence to organizational units and contractors.
• Prepares and presents recommendations on purchases; purchases a variety of supplies, equipment, repairs, maintenance contracts and contracted services for numerous organizational users.
• Performs contract administration for awarded contracts.
• Performs other related duties as assigned within the same classification or lower.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skills, and/or abilities required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Education

• Bachelor's Degree in Purchasing, Business, or applicable field of education from a regionally accredited college or university required;
• Or an equivalent combination of education and experience which provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities deemed sufficient to prepare the employee to successfully perform the duties of the position.

Experience

• Three (3) years professional experience in purchasing; a wide variety of standard construction, commodities, services, and maintenance required;
• Less than one (1) year experience with report writing such as Crystal Reports preferred.
• Or an equivalent combination of education and experience which provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities deemed sufficient to prepare the employee to successfully perform the duties of the position.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities and Other Characteristics

• Knowledge of financial systems.
• Ability to conduct effective negotiations with contractors.
• Effective oral and written communication skills.
• Excellent organizational and interpersonal skills.
• Demonstrated ability to effectively work and communicate with diverse populations.
• Demonstrated proficiency with business technology applications (e.g. Video/Web Conferencing, Microsoft Office Suite -Word, Excel, Outlook, Access, Visio, and/or PowerPoint preferred) and ability to create spreadsheets.

Licenses and Certifications
Employee must retain active licenses, certifications, and enrollment as a condition of employment.

• Hold or be eligible for Certified Public Procurement Officer (CPPO) issued by Universal Public Procurement Certification Council (UPPCC) preferred.
• Hold or be eligible for Certified Professional Public Buyer (CPPB) issued by Universal Public Procurement Certification Council (UPPCC) preferred.
• Hold or be eligible for Driver's License (DL) Class C Non-Commercial issued by Maryland or State of Legal Residence (MVA/DMV) required; and
• Daily access to reliable transportation.

Driving Requirements

• Driving is required to conduct bona fide Board business that is within the scope of employment in this position.
• Personal Vehicle

LEADERSHIP ROLE

• First level supervisor

• This position leads buyers and technicians in assigned purchasing responsibilities.

People Management

• This position acts as the manager for direct staff.
• This position acts as the manager for indirect staff.
• This position manages departments.

Management Duties/Responsibilities

• Interviews, selects, and trains employees.
• Directs the work of employees.
• Maintains records for use in supervision.
• Assess employees’ performance (productivity/efficiency) to make promotional recommendation/other status changes.
• Plans the work.
• Determines the techniques to use.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS/WORKING CONDITIONS
The physical demands and working conditions described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Physical Demands

• Sitting: over 2/3 percent of the time
• Keyboarding: over 2/3 percent of the time
• Talking: between 1/3 and 2/3 percent of the time
• Hearing: between 1/3 and 2/3 percent of the time
• Repetitive Motions: under 1/3 percent of the time
• Driving: under 1/3 percent of the time
• As required by the duties and responsibilities of the position.

Vision
The vision demands with correction described here are representative of those that must be met to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.

• Close vision (clear vision at 20 inches or less)
• Distance vision (clear vision at 20 feet or more)
• Color vision (ability to identify/distinguish colors)

Work Environment
Location

• Office, school or similar indoor environment: over 2/3 percent of the time

Noise Level

• Moderate: under 1/3 percent of the time

Weight & Force
Lifting and carrying requirements

• Up to 5 pounds: under 1/3 percent of the time

Travel Requirements

• 5% quarterly day travel within the county to schools.

JOB INFORMATION

ORGANIZATION

HR JOB INFORMATION

VR# 24159