Purchasing Buyer

Position Summary

Under supervision, the incumbent will perform the analytical analysis involved in the procurement of goods and services by Formal Bids, Fair & Open RFP’s, Competitive Contracts and Formal Quotes. The incumbent is expected to proceed with substantial independence in analysis of contracts or creation of such, and exploring/identifying opportunities for improvement, or cost savings.

Essential Functions

• Incumbent will assist in routine professional work including specification development to maximize competition, proposal evaluation, award recommendation, quality assurance and execution of contract awards.
• Work is reviewed by the Purchasing Agent and is appraised in terms of quality, consistency, efficiency and compliance with County policies and statutory rules and regulations.
• Knowledge of purchasing methods and competitive bid processes in a public procurement environment, as well as general purchasing procedures and guidelines, financial computations, statistical analysis and forecasting techniques.
• Perform value analysis including research from trade journals, catalogs, and other technical material to ensure proper contracts are being utilized per market conditions.
• Ascertain prices of commodities and ability of specific item to be ordered/delivered in appropriate timeline requirements.
• Maintain current knowledge of industry information for assigned services and contracts. Preparation of bid/request for proposals/quote packages (boilerplate and specifications) for a wide variety of goods and services according to accepted purchasing methods as prescribed by laws, rules, regulations, standards, policies and procedures.
• Maintain extensive knowledge of the New Jersey State Contracts and other cooperatives contracts to act as a liaison to end users for navigation and use of said contracts.
• Maintain personal liaison with department & division heads/office managers and regularly confers with them in regard to routine recurring and/or proposed procurements.
• Resolve complaints when necessary as well as rendering assistance when difficult and unusual situations arise. 
• Prepare all purchasing related correspondence as it pertains to assigned solicitation of Formal Bids, Fair & Open RFP’s, Competitive Contracts, Formal Quotes and related notices. 
• Excellent communication, written, oral and solid customer service skills, as well as the ability to effectively communicate with County officials and vendors/contractors.
• Attention to detail and accuracy is required.
• Possess proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite.
• Responsible for the management of the Somerset County Co-operative Pricing System #2 SOCCP. 
• Requires management of contract data in the MSI.   
• Maintain the Purchasing Div email box/answer the main purchasing division phone line.
• Receive and log all bids/RFPs received.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university. 
• Applicants who do not meet education requirements may substitute additional experience in public administration or related field on a year for year basis. 
• Experience: Two (2) years of government experience related to purchasing regarding analytical analysis, specification writing/review for the purchase of equipment, supplies and services.
• Ability to comprehend and apply statutory and regulatory requirements to public contracting. 
• Ability to assist in the creation of clear and concise specifications.
• Ability to establish and maintain working relationships with vendors, fifty division contracts and end users. 
• Thorough knowledge of sources of supplies and services, prices, and market conditions and trends.
• Ability to work under pressure with multiple tasks and deadlines. 
• Ability to plan and review workload for most proficient use of time/resources.
• Ability to work independently in a fast-paced work environment.
• Attention to detail and accuracy is required.
• Possess Registered Public Procurement Specialist (RPPS) certification or in the process of completing requirements within two (2) years. 

Salary: $50,000-$60,000/year

Benefits include health coverage (medical, prescription, and dental), paid time off (vacation, holidays, and sick), a deferred compensation plan, and enrollment in the NJ State Pension System.