Buyer

City of Myrtle Beach, South Carolina Job description for Buyer position. Buyer Job Summary The purpose of this position is to procure services, supplies, materials, and equipment as needed for all City departments. Essential Job Functions Organizes and implements procurement operations for the City; ensures all procurement activities comply with local, state and federal public procurement regulations and requirements; ensures the City obtains commodities and services which are high in quality, meet organizational needs and at the best price. Processes purchase requisitions; receives requests for parts, supplies and equipment for all departments which requires general knowledge of various grades and qualities of a wide variety of supplies, materials, equipment, and services; prioritizes work into routine/emergency categories to insure that the most critical items/services are procured in a timely manner; evaluates requests; determines most appropriate method of procurement; checks requisitions for required information, such as proper funding, appropriate signature, adequate descriptions/specifications or items required, quantity desired and special instructions. Administers competitive bid process; develops specifications to allow for competitive quotes and bids; prepares invitation for bids; advertises solicitation to potential bidders; conducts pre-bid meetings; obtains competitive quotes from appropriate suppliers and vendors; analyzes, evaluates and tabulates bids; checks references on potential contractors; compares specifications of substituted items offered to specifications of items required to insure that they are comparable; makes recommendations or selects vendor or contractor; contacts successful bidder and assigns purchase order number to requisition; researches and develops source files consisting of possible suppliers and products/services they provide. Administers competitive proposal process; develops specifications to allow for competitive proposals; prepares requests for proposals; advertises solicitation to potential responders; conducts pre-proposal meetings; evaluates proposals in conjunction with departments; checks references on potential contractors; drafts contract for successful proposal; issues award documents; conducts debrief meetings. Provides information to vendors regarding policies and procedures and interviews for placement on vendor list; provides assistance to City departments on purchasing related issues; maintains contact with purchasing representatives from surrounding localities to provide and share information. Answers departmental inquiries related to purchase requisitions; interacts by phone or e‑mail with division heads and department personnel for information needed to process and obtain items requested by department; meets with division heads and personnel; discusses product or service requirements with requesting department; answers inquiries related to purchase order status, supply availability, etc. Prepares necessary documentation for purchasing activities and maintains and updates records and files; prepares purchasing related correspondence and reports as needed; verifies issues and receiving by generating edit reports. Communicates with supervisor, City officials and employees, vendors, the public, outside agencies, and other individuals as needed to coordinate work activities, review status of work, exchange information, resolve problems, or give/receive advice/direction. Prepares or completes various forms, reports, correspondence, logs, supply orders, bid specifications, inventory reports, or other documents. Receives various forms, reports, correspondence, purchase requisitions, purchase orders, bids, policies, procedures, manuals, reference materials, or other documentation; reviews, completes, processes, forwards or retains as appropriate. Maintains current knowledge of supply sources, product developments, contract availability, and of regulations, policies and procedures for governmental procurement. Operates a personal computer, general office equipment or other equipment as necessary to complete essential functions, to include the proficient use of Microsoft‑based word processing, spreadsheet, database, or other system software. Additional Functions Performs administrative and customer service functions; answers phone; greets visitors; processes incoming and outgoing mail; etc. Performs other related duties as required, assigned and requested. Education and Experience Requires a Bachelor’s degree; experience in procurement or similar work performed in a government setting is preferred. Licenses or Certifications None. Special Requirements None. Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Knowledge of supply sources, product developments, and contract availability. Knowledge of regulations, policies and procedures for governmental procurement. Knowledge of customer service principles. Skill in gathering information before taking action. Skill in organizing. Skill in using resources effectively. Skill in performing addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division; calculating decimals, percentages, and fractions; and interpreting graphs. Skill in negotiating. Skill in communicating, both verbally and in writing. Skill in using diplomacy. Ability to build rapport. Ability to listen. Ability to pay attention to details. Ability to look beyond the obvious. Ability to multi‑task. Ability to review, classify, categorize, prioritize, and/or analyze data. Ability to provide guidance, assistance, and/or interpretation to others regarding the application of procedures and standards to specific situations. Ability to operate, maneuver and/or control the actions of equipment, machinery, tools, and/or materials used in performing essential functions. Ability to utilize a wide variety of reference, descriptive, and/or advisory data and information. Ability to interpret instructions furnished in written, oral, diagrammatic, or schedule form. Ability to exercise judgment, decisiveness and creativity in situations involving a variety of generally pre‑defined duties which are often characterized by frequent change. Physical Demands The work is sedentary. The employee is occasionally required to exert up to 10 pounds of force to move objects. Additionally requires: grasping, hearing voices and distinguishing among sounds, manual dexterity, mental acuity, repetitive motion, speaking, expressing ideas by the spoken word, visual acuity in data/color/observations/operating equipment, and walking. Tasks may require the ability to sit for extended periods of time at a keyboard or work station. Work Environment Work is performed in an office setting where essential functions are regularly performed without exposure to adverse environmental conditions. Work is performed in a safe and secure work environment that may periodically have unpredicted requirements or demands. Benefits No Cost Health, Dental & Vision Insurance for Fulltime Employees 401K & 457 Plans Available State Retirement Employee Wellness ClinicFlex Spending Account Employee Assistance And much more Equal Opportunity Employer The City of Myrtle Beach commits to a policy of equal employment opportunity for applicants and employees, complying with local, state and federal laws. The City’s policy is to employ qualified persons without discrimination on the basis of any protected characteristic, including race, color, religion, national origin, citizenship, sex, political affiliation, veteran’s status, age, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity, to include transgender status, disability or status in any other group protected by federal/state/local law. Notice This description does not represent in any way a contract of employment. #J-18808-Ljbffr