Senior Buyer

Purpose and Scope

OVERVIEW

Memphis-Shelby County Schools is seeking dynamic educational champions ready to position our district as a national exemplar of education transformation. We need leaders with a fierce commitment to actualizing a bold vision that yields ambitious outcomes for more than 110,000 students and families across the Memphis-Shelby County area. The reality is that we can do better for kids, and we will with the right leaders in place. The most successful candidates believe that more is possible for Memphis and are:

• Courageous Thinkers & Doers: Prepared to navigate and thrive in a complex and ambiguous environment on day one, present innovative ideas to address systemwide issues, and execute sustainable plans toward transformation.
• Solutions-Oriented: See the possibilities, demonstrate the capacity to synthesize information and adjust short and long-term goals, and consistently find a window when doors close to deliver measurable results for kids and families.
• High-Performing Gamechangers: Leader of leaders with the capacity to mobilize and empower an outstanding team, make people-centered data-informed decisions, and operate with a relentless hyperfocus on removing stubborn barriers that destroy the hopes and dreams of too many of our students.

SUMMARY DESCRIPTION:

Under the supervision of the Sourcing Manager, the Senior Buyer will administer the centralized procurement functions of the school system, which includes formal bidding and complex procurement methods. This position plans and incorporates strategic purchasing plans and also negotiates the prices for services and/or products.

Essential Job Functions

1. Administers the assignment of special bids and/or specification development, reviews and approves formal bids specifications and contract drafts prepared by designated professional staff. 2. Coordinates the preparation of contract recommendations and statistical data of vendor’s participation.3. Prepares designs, evaluates and issues bid specifications. Conducts pre-bid meetings and bid openings, and confers with school administrators and office heads to prepare contract documents. 4. Conducts and coordinates purchasing support activities for assignment area such as Construction, Information Technology, Academics and Professional Service related projects. Recommends procedures and guidelines to improve the efficiency of the procurement process.5. Conducts research to support construction products, commodities or services for product specifications, performance standards, contract requirements and funding sources.6. Mediates disputes regarding the selection of the award bidders and issues of vendor performance, and prepares appropriate documentation of the conference and rulings within the appeal process procedures.7. Supports Contract Advisor’s in the management of various contract services such as construction, information technology, academics and professional service contracts, monitoring and rectifying contractors’ performance and non-performance.8. Assist in the preparation of semi-annual vendor performance and procurement contract evaluations to insure compliance.9. Attends staff, client and committee meetings.10. Performs related responsibilities as required or directed.

Minimum Qualifications

Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting or Business or a related field; PLUS three (3) years related experience in related field; OR an equivalent combination of related education and experience totaling seven (7) years. Public sector procurement experience preferred. (PROOF OF EDUCATION, TRAINING, AND/OR EXPERIENCE IS REQUIRED)Degree Equivalency Formula:Bachelor’s Degree= 4 years plus required years of experience.Master’s Degree= 2 years plus required years of experience preferred.CERTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS:CPPB or CPPO certification preferred within 2 years of employment.