Senior Buyer

Senior Buyer

Under direction of the Procurement Supervisor or Purchasing Agent, the Senior Buyer is responsible for preparing, administering and coordinating purchasing activities that include, but are not limited to, commodities, general supplies and services, maintenance, information technology, professional services, and construction. Serve as a primary contact and collaborates with internal North Texas Municipal Water District departments to develop and write solicitation packages for competitive requests for bids, requests for qualifications/proposals for professional services. Work involves preparing solicitation and contract documents in a timely manner, managing the solicitation process, facilitating contract execution, and administering contracts including ensuring compliance with contract provisions, pricing, and writing change orders. Provide support for agreements, including the contract close out at the end of term. Serve as an internal resource to interpret and comply with District policies and applicable laws.

Job Responsibilities

• Conducts day-to-day buying activities for assigned departments; provides advice, guidance and support on procurement plans.
• Collaborates with internal departments to support their development of scopes of work, and creates competitive bid packages, requests for qualifications/proposals for professional services; consults with requestors to clarify need and intended use of requested items/services.
• In coordination with the Procurement Supervisor or Purchasing Agent, determines appropriate method of procurement, analyzes, and monitors procurement contracts in accordance with established terms and conditions.
• Evaluates requisitions for funding availability, accuracy and specific need; reviews scopes of work or services, researches market availability or appropriate substitutions of requested items, recommends pricing methodology.
• Solicits bids by coordinating the bid and award process with user departments.
• Conducts pre-bid meetings, bid openings; documents and evaluates vendor responses ; prepares and distributes bid tabulations.
• Reviews submittals, manages the evaluation process to support recommended vendor, analyzes proposals and evaluates pricing, works with evaluation committee to recommend selected vendor to management; documents the solicitation and evaluation process, statistics and conclusions.
• Evaluates and analyzes solicitation responses; in conjunction with user department, formulates recommendation for bid award.
• Identifies/sources prospective bidders/proposers; oversees distribution of bid/proposal documents; writes and issues addenda.
• Prepares contracts, change orders, and related documentation, obtains required concurrence/approval signatures.
• Maintains contract and insurance files.
• Maintains bid and contract status reports in a timely basis.
• Ensures compliance with government, commercial and business aspects of work (i.e. wage rates, bond and insurance requirements); in conjunction with internal department requirements, ensures adequacy of insurance coverage and continued coverage throughout the contract performance period.
• Performs other related duties as required.

Job Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in business, public administration, or a related field.
• Three years of experience in public procurement or verifiable experience equivalent to five years in a position with duties closely related to those of a Senior Buyer.
• A Professional Purchasing Certification (CPPB or CPPO), Certified Professional in Supply Management (CPSM) or equivalent is preferred. Must obtain certification within three (3) years of hire into position.
• Work related experience resulting in acceptable proficiency levels in the above minimum requirements may be an acceptable substitution for the specified education and experience requirements.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

• Knowledge of the basic principles, practices and procedures of public contract administration and procurement, laws and contract funding procedures and requirements.
• Knowledge of industry resources for determining labor, material and equipment costs and the techniques for applying the information.
• Ability to communicate effectively and clearly, both orally and in writing and in general and technical terms, with a wide variety of professional and technical personnel.
• Ability to interpret and use oral and written instructions in the analysis of contractor proposals and writing of change orders.
• Ability to work independently or in a team environment based on the task or situation.
• Ability to prepare clear and concise documents, contract clauses and changes, and correspondence.
• Effective time manager in planning, prioritizing, and execution of contractual deadlines.
• Attention to detail in understanding and identifying contractual and operational risk.
• Inspires trust, confidence, dependability, and team building when communicating with internal and external customers.
• Team player, collaborator, and able to act as the liaison between all parties.
• Computer skills in MS Office Software.

Environmental and Physical Working Conditions

Driving a District vehicle for business may be required. Employees required to drive as part of their job duties are responsible for maintaining a current, valid, and vehicle - appropriate driver's license of their resident state.

This position requires minimum physical exertion with daily lifting requirements up to 10 pounds. Significant finger dexterity required. Activities may include carrying office materials, pulling and pushing file drawers and organizing paperwork. Duties are almost always carried out in an office environment. Some local travel may be needed. Equipment used includes a computer, printer, calculator, copier and telephone.