Senior Buyer

Position / Title: Senior Buyer Bargaining Unit: NON-UNION Department/Location: Procurement Work Days: 260 Reports To: Procurement Coordinator JD Revision Date: February 2025 Supervises: N/A

Function / Position Summary

Supports department administration in all aspects of procurement within a dynamic, fast-paced environment. Collaborates with administrators to develop and manage public bids and proposals, ensuring compliance with Illinois state guidelines. Procures goods and services while optimizing purchasing efficiencies.

Job Duties / Responsibilities

• Determine appropriate procurement methods, securing competitive pricing through quotations or the bidding/proposal process while maintaining accurate records for review and comparison.
• Manage project(s) with a high degree of communication (both written and verbal), integrity and accuracy.
• Assist in or lead the Invitation to Bid (ITB)/Request For Proposal (RFP) process (beginning to end) in collaboration with cross-functional departments.
• Ensure accurate data entry and document management within the district’s electronic bidding platform (Bonfire).
• Oversee contract renewals and rebidding processes, notifying relevant departments of upcoming deadlines.
• Process inventory and equipment requisitions and purchase orders for district departments daily.
• Maintain ongoing communication with vendors, addressing procurement issues and escalating concerns to appropriate administrators or departments.
• Adhere to all district and state bidding guidelines and procurement policies.
• Project management experience in a fast-paced, high-visibility environment.
• Ability to manage multiple tasks and priorities under strict deadlines.
• Outstanding professional ethics.
• Excellent interpersonal and strong oral and written communication skills.
• Excellent problem-solving aptitude.
• Hands-on orientation, strong organizational skills, and an extremely strong attention to detail are skills essential to ensure accuracy.
• Display responsible and professional leadership.
• Familiarity with school district operations related to purchasing and public bidding.
• Ability to set goals and establish methods for achieving them.
• Strong ability to provide a very high level of customer service.
• Able to accept rapid changes and interruptions on a daily basis.
• Self-starter with the ability to work independently and follow projects through to completion.
• Able to handle sensitive employee data and maintain confidentiality.
• Perform other duties as assigned.
  
  

Education

• Bachelor’s Degree in Business or Accounting preferred or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Bilingual - Spanish/English (written/verbal) preferred.
  
  

Experience / Knowledge

• Minimum of three years of experience in purchasing and inventory management (required).
• Knowledge of public bidding processes and bid document creation.
• Minimum of three years of Project management experience.
• Strong analytical skills.
• Proficient level in Microsoft Word, Excel, and Google Suite.
  
  

Physical Demands

• Ability to work in a fast paced environment.
• Ability to work on a computer over a major portion of the work day.
  
  

Terms of Employment

• This is a 12-month position. Salary and benefits are as established by the Board of Education.
  
  

Evaluation

• Performance of this job will be evaluated in accordance with provisions of the Board’s policy on evaluation of support service personnel.
  
  

The full salary range for this position is $60,243.00 - $90,353.00. It is our typical practice to hire between the minimum and midpoint ($75,298.00)