Buyer

Title: 212 - Buyer

Organization: Purchasing

Department: Purchasing

Location: Purchasing

Rate of Pay: $47,253.96

Job Summary

The purpose of the class is to procure goods and services, solicit contracts, and negotiate services for the city in accordance with Texas State Statutes and all other applicable laws and policies. The class is responsible for preparing and soliciting bids and proposals, managing purchase orders, preparing contracts, and other procurement needs. The class plans, organizes, and implements programs within major organizational policies, reports the progress of major activities to the department director and assistant director.

Competencies

• Effective Communications Skills
• Ethical Practices
• Time Management
• Contract Management
• Project Management
• Critical Thinking
• Relationship Management

Key Functions/Knowledge/Skills

• Assure the procurement cycle is completed with federal, state and local procurement policies.
• Review and process quick quotes, assist with contract renewals, sole source procurements, and inter-local cooperative purchases for when BIDs are not required.
• Coordinate pre-bid/pre-proposal meetings and exchanges of information between vendors and departments to ensure awareness of the City's procurement process and available goods or services.
• Respond, with supervision, to inquiries from vendors, departments, and contractors regarding projects and contracts.
• Consults with departments regarding the purchase of materials, supplies, and equipment; makes specific recommendations as appropriate to most effectively meet overall objectives.
• Communicates with vendor representatives regarding prices and price changes.
• Obtains and interprets market prices and trends to apply such interpretations to procurement problems.
• Ensures accurate procurement records are maintained such as contracts, POs, and vendor files.
• Assist in preparing and presenting agenda items dealing with procurement to the City Commission's meetings.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Minimum Education & Experience

Bachelor's degree (no experience), or associate's degree plus two years of experience, or high school graduation or GED plus four years of experience.

Special Certifications & Licenses

Valid Texas Driver’s License.
Certified Texas Contract Developer (CTCD) preferred.

Independence & Judgement

Average judgment; must recognize and resolve problems such as bad grammar, type of procedure to apply, where to refer call or correspondence without specified destination whether there is a problem/malfunction with a piece of equipment that needs attention, etc.; may involve freedom in selection of work methods among approved routines, setting of priorities, or sequencing of tasks within established schedules.

Initiative & Ingenuity

General guidelines: occasionally requires interpretation of available options to apply to non-standard situations; day-to-day work drives priorities. Greater level of knowledge when applying guidelines and interpretation of available options to non-standard situations.

Supervisory & Responsibility

Does not supervise.

Financial Responsibility

Does not deal with money.

Level & Frequency of Outside Contact

Direct contact may be infrequent but may require considerable tact and courtesy when it does occur.

Physical Demands

Office job with little or occasional light physical effort. Requires sedentary work that involves walking or standing some of the time and routine keyboard operations.

Responsibility for Equipment & Property

Responsible for use of equipment/property such as office equipment, supplies, etc., which are used in office.

Working Conditions

Office job, no adverse conditions.

Other Requirements

The City of Brownsville requires all employees to successfully pass a Drug & Alcohol and a physical examination, psychological examination, and Background Check.

ADA Requirements

The City of Brownsville is an Equal Opportunity Employer. ADA requires the City to provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities. Prospective and current employees are invited to discuss accommodations.

Benefits

The City of Brownsville offers a comprehensive benefits package designed to support its employees' well-being and future. Employees participate in a robust retirement plan through the Texas Municipal Retirement System (TMRS) City to Employee Matching Ratio 2:1, with eligibility for retirement after 5 years of service at age 60 or 20 years of service at any age.

The City provides exceptional health benefits, including medical, dental, and life insurance plans for employees and their families, along with vision coverage for employees enrolled in health insurance through MetLife. Employees and their dependents can also access care at Frontier Clinic at no cost when covered by the City's health plan. Additionally, pet insurance is available as a voluntary benefit.

Employees have access to deferred compensation plans through Equitable and supplemental insurance options from AFLAC and Colonial Life. Full-time employees accrue 10 sick days and 15 vacation days annually.
The City offers parental leave concurrent with FMLA for eligible employees, longevity pay, and 100% tuition assistance up to $5,000 annually. Furthermore, Brownsville observes 14 holidays per year, plus two floating holidays, giving employees a balanced and rewarding work-life experience.
Starting in fiscal year 2025, employees will have access to flexible scheduling options as part of our commitment to work-life balance.

EEOC Statements

The City of Brownsville does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy and gender identity), national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, membership in an employee organization, retaliation, parental status, military service, or other non-merit factors.