What are the responsibilities and job description for the Senior Buyer position at Houston Community College Careers?
Job Summary
The Senior Buyer works with System Departmental staff to handle formal solicitations and develop, evaluate, and negotiate contracts for a wide range of products and services. Exercises considerable independent judgment and technical expertise in developing contract requirements, contract-specific language, and detailed evaluation criteria for highly complex acquisitions as determined by Supervisor and/or Director. Ensures that all purchases are made in accordance with HCC Policy, Procedures and applicable governing laws.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
Review client department requests for relevance, and evaluates justification/input documents submitted by client departments to assess appropriate use of processes.
Prepare responses to requests from Supervisor & Administration.
Under the direction of Supervisor and/or Director, provide guidance to System Departments regarding procurement processes, providing technical expertise regarding appropriate procurement method, scopes of services, market research, evaluation criteria and associated weighting, and contract specific language.
Conduct advanced industry and product market research (including issuing Requests for Information) to identify alternative sources of supply.
Prepare solicitations to promote an open, fair, and competitive selection processes.
Handle complex acquisitions and prepares solicitation and award documents, including Summary of Procurements and agenda items as needed.
Serve as a non-voting Chairperson of Evaluation Committees to ensure an effective, transparent, unambiguous, and fair process.
Review requests for non-competitive solicitations (sole sources) and recommends specification changes to eliminate all artificial barriers that may limit or reduce competition.
Participate with Supervisor and/or Director in consultation with General Counsel’s Office regarding legal requirements and contractual issues.
Prepare for and participate with Supervisor/Director in any protest hearings.
Coordinate the inclusion of Small Business participation in accordance with current policy and procedures and participates in Small Business events.
Consult with Risk Management to establish insurance requirements for solicitations as needed.
Prepare responses for public records requests.
Perform contract administration including advising on contractual requirements to contractor and Client Departments.
Consult with Supervisor and/or Director and Client Department to prepare for meetings to resolve contract disputes.
Prepare supplemental agreements, contract modifications and change orders and reports.
Develop, analyze, and negotiate contracts to obtain mutually agreeable terms and conditions, and price.
Responsible for maintaining a bid calendar of current projects and contracts.
Prepare reports at the direction of Supervisor and/or Director.
Attend meetings and functions, including delivering presentations as directed by Supervisor and/or Director.
May provide guidance and represent the Department at meetings in the absence of Supervisor and/or Director.
Provide procurement technical expertise for projects and programs as assigned.
Perform other duties, tasks and assignments as required.
QUALIFICATIONS
Education & Experience
Bachelor’s degree required in Business/Purchasing or any related field
8 years of directly-related work experience may be considered in lieu of required degree
5 years’ experience in purchasing department operations and buying, or procurement management required
Experience in purchasing and/or procurement in an educational environment or governmental agency preferred
Licensing & Certification
Valid Texas Driver License
Certification in any of the following (equivalent or advanced) preferred:
Certified Professional Public Buyer (CPPB)
Certified in Supply Management (CSM)
Certified Texas Purchaser (CTP)
Special Skills
MS Office Programs
Information Management Systems
Budget Management
State of Texas Procurement Laws and Regulations
Request for Qualifications/ Proposals
Competencies
Delivering High Quality Work
Accepting Responsibility
Serving Customers
Supporting Organizational Goals
Driving Continuous Improvement
Acting with Integrity
Thinking Critically
Managing Change
Communicating Effectively
Working Conditions
General office. May frequently be required to walk; stand; sit; use hands to handle or feel; reach with hands and arms; and talk or hear. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision and distance vision. Use of personal computing equipment, telephone, multi-functioning printer, photocopier, file cabinets, and calculator. Manual dexterity, ability to lift up to 25 pounds, ability to reach and bend, and use 2-step stool while safely lifting and lowering boxes. Ability to travel to and from meetings, training sessions or other business-related events. May be required to work after hours to include weekends and holidays.
SECURITY SENSITIVE: This job class may contain positions that are security sensitive and thereby subject to the provisions of Texas Education Code § 51.215
The Organization
Houston Community College (HCC) is an open-admission, public institution of higher education offering a high-quality, affordable education for academic advancement, workforce training, career development and lifelong learning to prepare individuals in our diverse communities for life and work in a global and technological society. We’re proud to say that 98 percent of our graduates step into a job in their field of study immediately upon graduation. One of the largest community colleges in the nation, HCC has served the Greater Houston area for over four decades. Accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, and the Schools Commission on Colleges, we offer 300 associate degree and certificate programs to 75,000 students across 13 Centers of Excellence and online each semester. We are proud to be No.1 among all community colleges in the nation in providing associate degrees to minorities and No.1 in educating international students, with 10.4 percent of our student population from outside the USA. Our vision is to become the Employer of Choice in support of our mission for Student Success by attracting, retaining and motivating the best employees.
The Team
Be a part of a dynamic community dedicated to providing the resources, guidance and inspiration needed to create the ultimate student experience: from registration and financial aid applications to the first time they arrive at one of our Centers of Excellence or log in to their first class, from academic success planning to providing a safe environment, and from connecting them with community networks to launching them into the career of their dreams. Make their student experience exceptional.
Location
Houston is a city with limitless possibilities:
- Fourth-largest city in the U.S. and home to 54 Fortune 500 companies, second only to New York City’s 55.
- 145 languages are spoken here.
- Overall after-taxes living costs are 5.6 percent below the average for all 308 urban areas recently surveyed.
- Houston is a major-league sports town, and don’t forget the annual Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo.
- The weather is great! Mild winters ensure that outdoor activities can be enjoyed year-round.
- World-renowned medical care. The Houston metro area has long been known for its first-rate health care system, with many Houston area hospitals consistently ranking among the nation’s top institutions.
- With over 150 museums and cultural institutions in the Greater Houston area, museums are a large part of Houston’s cultural scene.
- Houston is the Culture & Culinary Capital of Texas with more than 7,500 restaurants and eating establishments covering 60 cuisines.
If this sounds like the role for you and you’re ready to join an amazing team, please apply right away.
EEO Statement
Houston Community College does not discriminate on the bases of race, color, religion, sex, gender identity and expression, national origin, age, disability, sexual orientation or veteran’s status. The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding the non-discrimination policies
David Cross, Director EEO/Compliance, Title IX Coordinator
Office of Institutional Equity
PO Box 667517
Houston TX, 77266
713 718.8271 or Institutional.Equity@hccs.edu
HCC values its employees and their contributions, promotes opportunities for their professional growth and development, and provides a positive working and learning environment that encourages diversity, innovation and creativity, and inclusion.
Individuals with disabilities, who require special accommodations to interview, should contact (713) 718-8565.