Buyer

Buyer Position

Pinellas County Sheriff's Office is seeking a Buyer to join our Procurement team. In this role, you will help ensure agency members have the equipment, supplies, and services they need to carry out their mission of serving and protecting the community. From developing bid specifications and issuing purchase orders to negotiating with vendors and managing contracts, you will play an important role in supporting operations across the Sheriff's Office while ensuring purchases are made in accordance with agency policies and state and federal procurement regulations.

The ideal candidate is organized, detail-oriented, and enjoys building strong relationships while balancing multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment. They possess strong analytical and problem-solving skills, communicate effectively with vendors and internal customers, and take pride in finding solutions that provide the best value while maintaining quality and compliance. Experience in procurement, purchasing, contract administration, supply chain management, or inventory management is beneficial.

This position offers the opportunity to make a meaningful impact behind the scenes by supporting the people and resources that keep the Sheriff's Office operating every day. If you enjoy collaborating with others, negotiating solutions, and working in a role where no two days are the same, we encourage you to apply.

This is a Monday-Friday, daytime position. Consideration given for relevant experience. The background investigation process may take up to 6 weeks depending upon the complexity of the applicant's background and position for which they've applied.

Under the general direction of the Procurement Supervisor, performs specialized work in the purchase of goods and commodities, supplies, equipment, and services used by the Pinellas County Sheriff's Office. Work involves communication with vendors and officials of the agency on all aspects of procurement and requires a high degree of initiative, professionalism, and independent judgment in the purchasing process. Work is reviewed through observation and results obtained. No supervision of others.

• Reviews requisitions and specifications to obtain competitive quotations from vendors
• Establishes working relationships with vendors through in person meetings and phone/e-mail communication; discusses and resolves problems regarding delayed goods and services delivery; returns damaged or incorrect items to vendors and processes necessary documents for credit
• Responds to department user requests, inquiries and problems regarding procurement processes and provides the costs of items/goods/services; determines inventory stock levels, reordering procedures and sources purchases to appropriate vendors
• Prepares and issues purchase orders to vendors; expedites orders when necessary. Provides procurement support and services for department users to determine means and methods for requesting and completing procurement orders of commodities, materials, supplies and equipment
• Prepares requests for quotes and bid specifications based on organizational needs; writes and/or reviews technical specifications and contracts for purchase of goods and services in conformity with purchasing policies of the agency, the State of Florida, and Federal guidelines
• Advertises formal bids and solicits quotations; determines when pre-bid conferences are required and presides over them
• Conducts negotiations with suppliers to establish fee schedules and contract prices that are consistent with prevailing market conditions
• Prepares documentation for contract awards, amendments, and change orders
• Interprets contracts, warranty statements, terms/conditions, and legal documents
• Reviews and forecasts market trends and perform price/cost analysis as necessary
• Reviews historical data for each assigned commodity class and develops a plan to provide advantageous prices and expeditious delivery through an effective balance of term contracts, blanket purchase orders and open market purchases
• Surveys markets to determine best source, new sources, market conditions and trends
• Implements and establishes training programs pertaining to procurement related functions and applications
• Regular and reliable attendance is required as an essential function of the position
• This position is considered essential and, in the event of an emergency or natural disaster, will be required to report to work
• Participates in Sheriff's Office recruitment and community relations activities as directed

This list is not intended to be all-inclusive and you may not be responsible for every item listed. The employer reserves the right to assign additional functions and responsibilities as necessary

Qualifications

• Graduation from an accredited college or university with an Associate Degree in Business Administration, Supply Chain Management, Public Administration or related field
• Four (4) years' related experience in large scale buying
• Or equivalent combination of education and experience
• Consideration for this position requires a credit check
• Must possess a valid Florida driver's license

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Knowledge of large scale purchasing methods and procedures in commodity areas and of the laws, rules and regulations effective in the County and State governing the purchase of commodities and services
• Ability to obtain and interpret market prices and trends and to apply such interpretations to procurement and budgeting
• Knowledge of the grades, qualities, supply sources and market factors of commodity categories frequently required by departments
• Knowledge and experience in inventory management and control principles and practice
• Ability to maintain detailed records and to perform a variety of related data entry tasks
• Time management, organizational, and problem solving skills
• Ability to work effectively with vendors and coworkers
• Skilled in developing detailed bid specifications to elicit competition among vendors and in analyzing bid responses to secure the highest quality service or commodity for the best price
• Knowledge of elementary bookkeeping methods in the keeping of accurate and systematic procurement records
• Ability to operate equipment and instruments utilized in meeting job requirements and operational responsibilities
• Ability to perform all functions of the job classification without posing a direct threat to the health or safety of other individuals in the workplace

Physical Abilities

The physical abilities listed below are estimates of time spent during a typical work day to perform essential functions and responsibilities. Members in this position may be required to:

• Sit up to 8 hours per day
• Stand up to 1 hour per day
• Walk up to 1 hour per day
• Occasionally lift up to 20 lbs.
• Occasionally bend, squat, climb, reach, kneel and twist