Buyer- Harris County Office of Purchasing

Position Description Under general supervision, the Buyer plays a vital role in optimizing the supply chain management for the Harris County Purchasing Office, this includes managing supplier relationships and ensuring cost effectiveness while maintaining the quality standards of the organization. Individuals in this role will be responsible for sourcing, negotiating, and purchasing goods and services necessary for the organization's operations. The Buyer must possess analytical capabilities to discern market trends, pricing, and supplier performance, strong negotiation skills, as well as the ability to recognize and resolve procurement-related challenges. Duties and Responsibilities: * Sourcing: Supports the Purchasing Office by sourcing contracts and non-contract items. This includes formal and informal solicitations for one-time and renewal contract purchases. * Purchase and Change Orders: Manages a queue of requisitions in the designated system(s) to create and issue Purchase Orders, ensuring they are compliant with contractual terms and requirements and that all documentation is accurate. As well as collaborating with Departments to review requisitions and make any necessary updates, and reviewing and processing Change Orders as necessary, while actively working to enhance the organization's purchasing process. * Stakeholder Communication: Provides status and progress in a clear and timely manner, while actively managing and maintaining stakeholder expectations in relation to orders. * Conflict Resolution: Assists in resolving issues related to procurement transactions, including resolving solutions for vendor-client conflicts arising from purchases, and providing support for resolving Accounts Payable (AP) issues as needed. * Vendor Management: Assist in process improvements, and compliance-related activities to align with County goals, while also requesting vendor set-up and master changes as required, and managing and maintaining the vendor catalog content within the purchasing system. * Purchasing Support: Promotes utilization of the purchasing system platform across the organization by leading educational efforts and providing support and guidance as necessary. * Quality and Cost Control: Collaborates with internal team members to ensure products, materials and services meet the quality standard set by Purchasing and Harris County, while actively monitoring, amending, and recommending alternative products for cost savings as necessary. Harris County is an Equal Opportunity Employer If you need special services or accommodations, please call View phone number on click.appcast.io or email View email address on click.appcast.io. This position is subject to a criminal history check. Only relevant convictions will be considered and, even when considered, may not automatically disqualify the candidate. Requirements Education and Experience: * Bachelor's Degree in a directly related field and two (2) years of relevant experience in areas related to purchasing, sourcing, or purchase order management OR * Associate's Degree in a directly related field and four (4) years of relevant experience in areas related to purchasing, sourcing, or purchase order management OR * High school diploma or GED and six (6) years of relevant experience in areas related to purchasing, sourcing, or purchase order management. Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: * Knowledge of contracts and contracting processes. * Proficient with Microsoft Suite and designated Purchasing systems. * Strong negotiation and relationship management skills. * Strong problem-solving and analytical skills. * Proven negotiation and influencing skills. * Strong relationship management skills with the ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships throughout the organization. * Ability to communicate effectively with all levels of management both written and oral. * Ability to prioritize and manage a high quantity of purchasing transactions without sacrificing quality. NOTE: Qualifying education, experience, knowledge, and skills must be documented on your job application. You may attach a resume to the application as supporting documentation but ONLY information stated on the application will be used for consideration. "See Resume" will not be accepted for qualifications. Preferences * Prior purchasing/procurement experience is preferred. General Information Position Type and Typical Hours of Work: * This is a full-time position with the typical work hours of Monday - Friday from 8 AM to 5 PM. * Occasional weekends, holidays, and overtime may be required based on the specific needs and demands of the department. Location: * Harris County Purchasing Office Building - 1111 Fannin St 12th Floor Houston, TX 77002 Work Environment and Physical Demands: * This position is based in an office environment, where the use of standard office equipment such as computers, phones, scanners, and filing cabinets is routine. * The physical demands associated with this job are minimal, with occasional lifting and moving objects weighing up to 10 pounds. * The role is predominantly sedentary, involving mainly sitting with occasional standing and walking. Reporting Relationships: * Reports To: Purchasing Services Director Compensation: * Annual Salary Range: DOE Employment may be contingent on passing a drug screen and meeting other standards. Due to a high volume of applications positions may close prior to the advertised closing date or at the discretion of the Hiring Department. HARRIS COUNTY EMPLOYEE BENEFITS Harris County offers a highly competitive benefits program, featuring a comprehensive group health plan and defined benefit retirement plan. The following benefits are offered only to Harris County employees in regular (full-time) positions: Health & Wellness Benefits * Medical Coverage * Dental Coverage * Vision Coverage * Wellness Plan * Life Insurance * Long-Term Disability (LTD) Insurance * Employee Assistance Program (EAP) * Healthcare Flexible Spending Account * Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account Paid Time Off (PTO) * Ten (10) days of vacation leave per year (accrual rate increases after 5 years of service) * Eleven (11) County-observed holidays * One (1) floating holiday per year * Paid Parental Leave* * Sick Leave Retirement Savings Benefit * 457 Deferred Compensation Plan The following benefits are available to Harris County employees in full-time and select part-time positions: * Professional learning & development opportunities * Retirement pension (TCDRS defined benefit plan) * Flexible work schedule* * METRO RideSponsor Program* * Participation may vary by County department. The employee benefits plans of Harris County are extended to all eligible participants across various departments with the exception of the Harris County Community Supervision and Corrections Department, for which the cited Health & Wellness Benefits are administered through the State of Texas. In accordance with the Harris County Personnel Regulations, group health and related benefits are subject to amendment or discontinuance at any time. Harris County Commissioners Court reserves the right to make benefit modifications on the County's behalf as needed. For plan details, visit the Harris County Benefits & Wellness website: 01 Which of the following best describes your highest level of education completed as it relates to this position? Qualifying information must be documented in the Education section of your application. * High School or GED diploma * Associate Degree * Bachelor's Degree * Master's Degree or higher * None of the above 02 Please describe your educational background including level of education completed, area of study and completed major and minor programs. 03 Which of the following best describes your verifiable experience in areas related to purchasing, sourcing, or purchase order management? (To be considered, qualifying experience must be documented in your application's employment history) * Less than two (2) years * Two (2) years but less than four (4) years * Four (4) years but less than six (6) years * Six (6) years or more * I do not have this experience 04 Please provide the dates of employment during which you obtained experience working in areas related to purchasing, sourcing, or purchase order management. Provide the month and year that began and ended the experience [ Example: "January 2020 - December 2025" ] If this experience is not clearly documented in the Work Experience section, your application will be disqualified. If you do not have this experience, type "N/A" in the space provided. 05 Do you have prior purchasing/procurement experience? * Yes * No Required Question Employer Harris County Address 1111 Fannin St Ste. 600 Houston, Texas, 77002 Phone View phone number on click.appcast.io Website