Buyer

Our Core Values
 We LOVE DeSoto
 •L- We lift up our community
 •O- We take ownership of our collective performance
 •V- We value and respect all employees
 •E- We empower employees to grow

The purpose of the position is to assist with purchasing activities and operations which will include processing informal and formal bids, requests for proposals and qualifications, and cooperative purchases, and creating agenda items for approval. This is accomplished by gathering input from departments; soliciting bids for goods and services; establishing and maintaining relationships with departments, vendors and the public; reviewing agreements; researching information and recommending processes; reconciling accounts; and maintaining records and documents.  Other duties include analyzing and preparing data for presentations; preparing journal entries, ensuring adequate emergency processes and requirements; and assisting with performance management processes.

• Solicits formal and informal bids and requests for proposals and qualifications (RFPs and RFQs) by preparing and reviewing specifications, completing cost analyses; consulting with departments regarding procurement needs; providing recommendations for the best approach in acquiring necessary goods and/or services; attaching standard documents to complete the bid package; contacting prospective vendors; posting and advertising; conducting pre-bid and bid opening meetings; negotiating pricing; and recommending and preparing awards.
• Completes procurements by providing guidance to departments; recruiting small business, local and MWBE suppliers; responding to inquiries; conducting pre-bid meetings and site visits related to open bids; addressing vendor questions regarding projects and purchases; and developing and posting addendums in response to questions.
• Prepares agenda items by assembling award summaries; writing documents; attaching information and submitting cost analyses.
• Oversees credit card programs and contracts by issuing notices to departments; providing training and monitoring; ensuring vendor compliance;
• Ensures all requirements are met by reviewing vendor agreements and contracts; ensuring all agreements are signed; reviewing and approving purchase orders; and verifying insurance and bond requirements.

• Bachelor's degree in business, finance, accounting or related field.
• Minimum of two years of progressively responsible experience in procurement, purchasing supplies, materials and equipment

• Knowledge of all aspects of contract administration, including language, terms and conditions
• Knowledge of standard accounting and purchasing processes
• Knowledge of local, state and federal laws, policies and procedures regarding municipal procurement and of principles and practices of effective data collection and recordkeeping
• Skill in basic and applied math, including the simple operations of adding, subtracting, multiplication, division and basic statistical analysis and attention to detail in dealing with numbers, words, and ideas.
• Skill in the operation and use of standard office software which includes databases and presentation programs, along with standard Microsoft products
• Skill in 10 key operations
• Ability to effectively communicate, both verbally and in writing, with co-workers, the public, and elected and appointed officials
• Ability to effectively prepare and present information, delivering them to groups and responding to questions.
• Ability to effectively communicate, both verbally and in writing, with co-workers, the public, and elected and appointed officials
• Ability to organize and provide technical assistance

Salary : $52,124 - $76,100