Purchaser III or IV - Procurement Division

Position Information

Are you interested in putting your mind to work, solving problems for diverse stakeholders, and turning requests and plans into concrete detail on paper? If so, then a purchasing position in the Procurement Division may be for you. This is a fast-paced office environment where we create over 20,000 contracts annually, with often repetitive and detailed documentation processes that require individual discipline and persistence to achieve success. We are currently seeking purchasers to support our customers with processing requisitions, creating and overseeing solicitations, evaluating and awarding bids, and creating contracts. Our ideal candidate will demonstrate the ability to complete multiple assignments within short time frames, while paying attention to detail, and organizing and prioritizing all aspects of their work assignments. The Procurement Division offers flexible work hours, continuing education and training, and the opportunity to work on a range of subjects with many different groups of employees within TxDOT.

Work location: The selected candidate's work location may be Headquartered in Austin or any of the following 25 TxDOT District offices located in Abilene, Amarillo, Atlanta, Austin, Beaumont, Brownwood, Bryan, Corpus Christi, Childress, Dallas, El Paso, Fort Worth, Houston, Laredo, Lubbock, Lufkin, Odessa, Paris, Pharr, San Angelo, San Antonio, Tyler, Waco, Wichita Falls, and Yoakum.

Position Title, Salary Grade/Range:

Purchaser III, B17: $42,976 - $64,469

Purchaser IV, B19: $48,244 - $76,028

This position is for Purchaser III or IV. The Texas Department of Transportation reserves the sole right in determining the level of position based on the applicant's work experience, education, skill level, and all other appropriate factors, and based on business needs.

Benefits and Perks

At TxDOT, we value work-life balance and are committed to providing our employees with a comprehensive range of benefits and programs, including:

• Retirement Plans
• Alternative and/or Flexible Work Schedules
• Paid Leave and Holidays
• Health Premiums paid at 100% for Full-Time Employees
• On-the-Job Training
• Tuition Assistance Program
• Holistic Wellness Program with Leave Incentives
• Career Development and Advancement Opportunities
• Family-Friendly Policies and Programs

In 2024, TxDOT was recognized as a Best Place for Working Parents, and many of our offices statewide are also designated as Texas Mother-Friendly Worksites. These recognitions reflect our dedication to supporting families and promoting a healthy work-life balance.

For a complete list of our total compensation package please visit our website at: Total Compensation Package

To view benefits available to all State of Texas employees visit: Benefits at a Glance | ERS (texas.gov)

Position Description

Purchaser III

Performs technical purchasing functions for the Department. Work involves research, study and evaluation of assigned commodities, supplies and services. Advises district and division personnel on purchasing procedures and quality of commodities, supplies and services. Work requires contact with other governmental and private entities. Employees at this level perform work independently on assignments; however, all unusual issues are referred to the supervisor.

Purchaser IV

Performs highly technical purchasing functions for the Department. Work involves research, study, and evaluation of assigned commodities, supplies, and/or services. Advises district and division personnel on purchasing procedures and quality of commodities, supplies, and/or services. Work requires contact with other governmental agencies and private entities. Employees at this level are knowledgeable of public purchasing rules and procedures, and perform work independently on assignments; however, all unusual issues are referred to the lead or supervisor.

Essential Duties:

Purchaser III:

• Coordinates and compiles basic and/or complex reports.
• Develops and writes technical equipment, material specifications and/or service statements of work (SOW) and works with
  the user to evaluate requirements for the items or services to be purchased.
• Makes field visits to districts and divisions to discuss requirements for materials, supplies and services and arranges
  for demonstrations and evaluations of new equipment and supplies.
• Makes recommendations on standardization of equipment, materials, supplies and services.
• Prepares requisitions for term contract and open market purchases and makes delegated purchases.
• Represents the Department at various meetings and may serve as a member of one of the division specification committees.
• Responsible for the achievement of established Historically Underutilized Business participation goals.
• Reviews and analyzes bids and makes award recommendations to management and/or the of Comptroller of Public Accounts
  (CPA).
• Answers questions, provides guidance and acts as liaison between districts, divisions and vendors.
• Assists in preparing justifications and compiles files of items purchased.
• Keeps abreast and reports on the impact of technological and price changes in goods and/or services.
• Maintains files on product literature, requisitions, purchase orders and correspondence.
• Prepares correspondence to departmental staff, vendors and/or the CPA regarding updates on literature, clarification of
  specifications, bid reviews, expediting delivery and coordinating testing/evaluation of products.
• Prepares specifications and SOWs which involves conducting market research, obtaining literature and tabulating and
  comparing features to user needs.
• Performs other job responsibilities as assigned.
  Purchaser IV:
  All of the above and
• Develops and writes highly technical equipment and material specifications, and/or service statements of work (SOW) and
  reviews specifications prepared by others.
• Prepares and coordinates the preparation of specifications and SOWs which involves conducting market research,
  obtaining literature, data, and tabulating and comparing features to user's needs.
• Answers questions, provides guidance and acts as liaison between districts, divisions and vendors.
• Assists in preparing justifications and compiles files of items purchased.
• Coordinates and compiles basic and/or complex reports.
• Keeps abreast and reports on the impact of technological and price changes in goods and/or services.
• Maintains files on product literature, requisitions, purchase orders and correspondence.
• Makes field visits to districts and divisions to discuss requirements for materials, supplies and services and arranges
  for demonstrations and evaluations of new equipment and supplies.
• Makes recommendations on standardization of equipment, materials, supplies and services.
• Prepares correspondence to departmental staff, vendors and/or the CPA regarding updates on literature, clarification of
  specifications, bid reviews, expediting delivery and coordinating testing/evaluation of products.
• Prepares requisitions for term contract and open market purchases and makes delegated purchases.
• Represents the Department at various meetings and may serve as a member of one of the division specification committees.
• Responsible for the achievement of established Historically Underutilized Business participation goals.
• Reviews and analyzes bids and makes award recommendations to management and/or the of Comptroller of Public Accounts
  (CPA).
• Performs other job responsibilities as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications:

Education:

Bachelor's Degree in related discipline. Related experience and/or relevant technical training may be substituted for education on a year per year basis. Substitutions for Minimum Qualifications

Experience:

Purchaser III - 1 year experience in purchasing.

Purchaser IV - 2 years experience in purchasing with a preference of some public purchasing experience

(Experience can be satisfied by full time or prorated part time equivalent).

Licenses and Certifications:

• Valid driver's license. This position requires driving a state vehicle.
• Must be Certified Texas Contract Developer (CTCD), Certified Texas Contract Manager (CTCM), or Certified Texas Contract Developer (CTCD) and Certified Texas Contract Manager (CTCM) dual certification, OR Must obtain the Certified Texas Contract Developer Certification within 12 months of the date of hire.

Competencies:

Purchaser III:

Considerable knowledge of

• Research and analysis methodologies
• Technical specification writing
• Goods and services purchased by the Department
• State rules and procedures associated with expediting, ordering, purchasing and warehousing laws, policies and procedures
• State rules, laws and procedures associated with expediting, ordering and purchasing

Proficient skill in

• Analyzing and organizing business and technical data
• Developing and giving presentations
• Scheduling work assignments
• Researching, analyzing, and interpreting policies and state and federal laws and regulations specific to functional area
• Public relations for maintaining effective working relationships with individuals and groups, both internal and external
• Using basic mathematical fundamentals
• Coordinating labor, materials, and equipment
• Evaluating products, equipment and material
• Administrative support practices and procedures to include writing, editing and report writing techniques, recording meeting notes, record keeping and records management
• Preparing technical/statistical reports
• Using computers, applicable programs, applications, and systems
• Evaluating new equipment performance
  Purchaser IV:
  All of the above and
  Considerable knowledge of
• Technical specification writing
• Mainframe systems and operations
• Inventory/stock control procedures
• Goods and services purchased by the Department
• State rules and procedures associated with expediting, ordering, purchasing and warehousing laws, policies and procedures

Expert skill in

• Administrative support practices and procedures to include writing, editing and report writing techniques, recording meeting notes, record keeping and records management

Proficient skill in

• Evaluating bids and making awards
• Scheduling work assignments
• Researching, analyzing, and interpreting policies and state and federal laws and regulations specific to functional area
• Public relations for maintaining effective working relationships with individuals and groups, both internal and external
• Using basic mathematical fundamentals
• Coordinating labor, materials, and equipment
• Evaluating products, equipment and material
• Analyzing and organizing business and technical data
• Preparing technical/statistical reports
• Training in a classroom, office, or field environment
• Developing and giving presentations
• Using computers, applicable programs, applications, and systems
• Evaluating new equipment performance

Ability to

• Communicate effectively

Physical Requirements and Working Conditions:

• Sedentary work: Lift up to 10 lbs at a time and occasionally carry files/small tools
• Standing-prolonged periods of time
• Repetitive Motion-substantial movements of the wrists, hands, and/or fingers
• Close Visual Acuity-work includes data/figures; view a computer screen; extensive reading

Conditions of Employment:

Please read the Standard Conditions of Employment (TxDOT) for all positions.