What are the responsibilities and job description for the Buyer position at La Joya Independent School District?
Job Title: Buyer
Wage/Hour Status: Exempt
Reports to: Purchasing Supervisor
Pay Grade: PG 2
Dept./School: Business, Finance & Administrative Services
Initiated Date: April 2025
WHO WE ARE
La Joya Independent School District (ISD) is committed to excellence for students and our community. We have a strong, 100-year, legacy in the Rio Grande Valley. The district’s vision - Educational Excellence: The Right of Every Student - conveys our urgent focus on students.
Our work is rooted in five district priorities, which require collaboration and deep commitment to supporting one another as we serve the community.
- Customer Service
- Trust & Transparency
- High-Quality Instruction
- Excellence in Leadership
- Integrity & Accountability
We are focused on ensuring every student in La Joya ISD has access to high-quality, best-fit schools as we work to improve from a B-district to an A-rated district. We serve more than 22,000 students in more than 30 schools and span six municipalities, covering more than 220 square miles.
WHO WE ARE LOOKING FOR
We are seeking a detail-oriented and highly organized individual with strong communication skills and a solid understanding of purchasing practices. The ideal candidate will have a demonstrated knowledge of procurement laws and procedures, experience with competitive bidding processes, and a commitment to ethical standards. They should be adept at providing guidance to staff, managing vendor relationships, and ensuring compliance with applicable purchasing regulations. This role requires someone who is proactive, collaborative, and capable of balancing administrative and technical responsibilities in a fast-paced environment.
WHY LA JOYA ISD
You will be joining a district that is building on a legacy of achievement while rapidly improving and creating systems to reach new heights for student outcomes and improving the District's overall operational efficiency and effectiveness. You will receive intentional, targeted support in your essential role in serving the Business, Finance and Administrative Services Department of the District. We are also a district focused on continuous improvement and rigorous analysis of the policies and procedures we have in place to ensure that the financial and business operations of the district are transparent to the public and in keeping with generally acceptable accounting principles.
Minimum Required Qualifications
- Education:
- Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Accounting, or related field preferred.
- Experience:
- Three years of procurement or administrative experience in a school district setting preferred.
Knowledge, Skills & Abilities
- Ability to ensure compliance with procurement processes, laws and regulations (bidding, contracts, vendor relations)
- Recordkeeping and documentation procedures
- Ethical standards in procurement
- Attention to detail in documentation and compliance
- Effective communication with staff and vendors
- Analytical skills for reviewing bids and proposals
- Technology proficiency (procurement software, Microsoft Office)
- Customer service orientation in assisting staff and vendors
- Confidentiality and discretion with sensitive information
- Adaptability to changing needs and tasks
MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES
General:
- Perform administrative and technical work in the Purchasing Department, including, but not limited to, bids, proposals, quotations, and contracts.
- Perform administrative and technical work in the procurement of supplies, equipment and services, while ensuring compliance with all applicable requirements (purchasing laws, rules, regulations, policies, procedures and guidelines).
- Assist in the development, implementation and revisions of district purchasing policies and procedures.
- Provide departmental and district staff development training regarding district purchasing policies and procedures.
- Prepare, review and maintain accurate records and documentation of all assigned work in accordance with established guidelines.
- Assist in the supervision and analysis of the competitive procurement process for compliance.
- Assist with the conversion of requisitions to purchase orders, ensuring compliance with all applicable purchasing laws, rules, regulations, policies, procedures and guidelines.
- Assist all district staff to ascertain their product/service needs and provide guidance on procurement methods.
- Correspond with and assist district staff and vendors in a professional and efficient manner.
- Interview vendor representatives to establish new sources, products and methods of procurement, while maintaining good relations within ethical parameters.
- Process Open Records Requests in accordance to established procedures.
- Follow record retention policies and guidelines.
- Maintain a high level of ethical behavior and confidentiality of information as may be appropriate and expected of this position.
- Participate in professional development required to develop and improve proficiency in areas of assignment.
- Perform other duties as assigned.
Safety:
- Performs preventive maintenance on tools and equipment and ensures equipment operates safely.
- Follows established safety procedures and techniques to perform job duties, including lifting and climbing; operates tools and equipment according to established safety procedures.
- Corrects unsafe conditions in the work area and promptly reports any conditions that are not immediately correctable to the supervisor.
Supervisory Responsibilities
- None
Personal Work Relationships
- All La Joya ISD employees must maintain a commitment to the District’s mission, vision, and strategic goals.
- Exhibits high professionalism, standards of conduct, and work ethic.
- Demonstrates high-quality customer service; builds rapport/relationship with the consumer.
- Demonstrates cultural competence in interactions with others; is respectful of co-workers; communicates and acts as a team player; promotes teamwork; responds and acts appropriately in confrontational situations.
Travel Requirements
- Travels to school district buildings and professional meetings, as required.
Physical & Mental Demands, Work Hazards
- Tools/Equipment Used: Standard office equipment, including computer and peripherals.
- Posture: Prolonged sitting and standing; occasional stooping, squatting, kneeling, bending, pushing/pulling, and twisting.
- Motion: Frequent repetitive hand motions, including keyboarding and use of mouse; occasional reaching.
- Lifting: Occasional light lifting and carrying (less than 15 pounds).
- Environment: Works in an office setting; may require occasional irregular and/or prolonged hours.
- Attendance: Regular and punctual attendance at the worksite is required for this position.
- Mental Demands: Maintains emotional control under stress; works with frequent interruptions.
Position Working Days:
226 Days
NOTE: The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this job. They are not intended to be an exhaustive description of all work requirements and responsibilities, and management reserves the right to revise the job description or require that other responsibilities be performed when the job changes. Additionally, the minimum level of education notated as a requirement could be supplemented by commensurate experience and/or certification(s) or license(s) as determined by the hiring manager.