The job of Purchasing-Buyer was established for the purpose/s of planning, organizing and supervising the comprehensive purchasing functions for the organization in compliance with mandated requirements; overseeing daily activities including major purchases associated with all projects, BPAs and proposal efforts; responding to a range of inquiries regarding processes or bid status; negotiating terms and conditions with vendors and/or service providers; and achieving department objectives and goals within budget. 

Job Tasks for: "Purchasing-Buyer"

• Compiles data from a wide variety of sources (e.g. vendors, staff, public agencies, etc.) for the purpose of analyzing issues, ensuring compliance with a wide variety of purchasing policies and procedures, and/or monitoring purchasing processes.
• Directs all functions related to the purchase of equipment, supplies and services for the organization for the purpose of ensuring compliance with State and Federal regulations, and accounting procedures.
• Maintains purchasing information, files and records (e.g. Requests for Proposal, purchase orders, vender files, etc.) for the purpose of ensuring the availability of documentation and compliance with established policies and regulatory guidelines.
• Manages several contracts (e.g. custodial, telephone, copier, equipment purchases, paper distribution. 
• Oversees required purchasing processes (e.g. orders, work orders and requisitions for supplies, equipment, bids for potential subcontracts, supplies equipment and services, etc.) for the purpose of acquiring necessary resources to support operation.
• Participates in unit meetings, in-service training, workshops, etc. for the purpose of conveying and/or gathering information required to perform job functions.
• Processes purchasing-related information (e.g. bid documents, tabulations, requisitions, electronic procurement, product specifications, statements of work, performance terms, contracts, etc.) for the purpose of updating and distributing information, authorizing for action and/or complying with established accounting practices.
• Researches contracts, suppliers, equipment and regulations, including evaluation of new products for the purpose of analyzing information to determine product and/or service need and availability as necessary.
• Responds to inquiries from a variety of internal and external sources for the purpose of providing information, direction and/or appropriate referrals.
• Serves as liaison with vendors (e.g. telephone service, cell service, fuel, office supplies, etc.) for the purpose of monitoring and consolidation of orders for better management of expenses.
• Supervises assigned staff (e.g. employee concerns/problems, directing work, training, disciplining, performance appraisals, etc.) for the purpose of ensuring work assignments are complete and within department objectives.
• Supervises Corporate BPA agreements and negotiates with vendors for new products and services and facilitates the incorporation of these items onto the corporate price lists. 

Knowledge Requirements for: "Purchasing-Buyer" 

• English Language – Self Explanatory
• Computers and Electronics – Fluent Knowledge of Microsoft office (Word, Excel, Powerpoint)
• Economics and Accounting -- Knowledge of economic and accounting principles and practices
• Mathematics -- Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.
• Administration and Management -- Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.
• Clerical -- Knowledge of administrative and clerical procedures and systems such as word processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and other office procedures and terminology.
• Personnel and Human Resources -- Knowledge of principles and procedures for personnel recruitment, selection, training, benefits, labor relations and negotiation, and personnel information systems.

Skill Requirements for: "Purchasing-Buyer"

• Management of Financial Resources -- Determining how/where money will be spent in vendor selection processes, and accounting for these expenditures.
• Critical Thinking -- Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
• Speaking -- Talking to others to convey information effectively.
• Complex Problem Solving -- Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
• Writing -- Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
• Mathematics -- Using mathematics to solve problems.
• Coordination -- Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.
• Judgment and Decision Making -- Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
• Time Management -- Managing one's own time and the time of others.
• Active Learning -- Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.

Ability Requirements for: "Purchasing-Buyer"

• Problem Sensitivity -- The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing there is a problem.
• Written Comprehension -- The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.
• Oral Comprehension -- The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
• Information Ordering -- The ability to arrange things or actions in a certain order or pattern according to a specific rule or set of rules (e.g., patterns of numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).
• Oral Expression -- The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
• Deductive Reasoning -- The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.
• Inductive Reasoning -- The ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events).
• Speech Clarity -- The ability to speak clearly so others can understand you.
• Mathematical Reasoning -- The ability to choose the right mathematical methods or formulas to solve a problem.
• Speech Recognition -- The ability to identify and understand the speech of another person.

Job Activities for: "Purchasing-Buyer" 

• Analyzing Data or Information -- Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts.
• Interacting With Computers -- Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
• Monitoring and Controlling Resources -- Monitoring and controlling resources and overseeing the spending of money.
• Getting Information -- Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
• Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates -- Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
• Processing Information -- Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.
• Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work -- Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work.
• Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others -- Translating or explaining what information means and how it can be used.
• Making Decisions and Solving Problems -- Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
• Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge -- Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job. 

Education and training. Bachelor’s degree in related field.

Other qualifications. Purchasing-Buyer must abide by strict ethical standards. Integrity, objectivity, and confidentiality are all essential when dealing with financial information, and Purchasing-Buyer must avoid any personal conflicts of interest. Most Purchasing-Buyer also need mathematical skills and should be able to use software packages, including spreadsheet, database, data-mining, financial analysis, and presentation programs. Strong oral and written communication skills also are essential, because Purchasing-Buyer must prepare, present, and defend budget data to decision makers. In addition, Purchasing-Buyer must be able to work under strict time constraints.