Buyer- Harris County Office of Purchasing

Job Title: Buyer

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

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.

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.