Purchasing Agent

Purchasing Agent

Responsible for all purchasing and warehouse functions. Buys and maintains an adequate supply of all materials, supplies, tools, gear, paraphernalia, etc. ("items" used by Bountiful City Light & Power (BCLP). Balances the need to have sufficient items on hand to cover all circumstances with the need to use City funds in a responsive manner.

Essential Job Functions:

• Purchases items as needed for inventory, the office & warehouse, and the power plant if required.
• Checks the stock of all inventory and non-inventory items to help maintain the required minimum and maximum quantities.
• Determines the items to be purchased, prepares necessary purchasing documentation (purchase orders, quotes, bids, etc.), and obtains required purchasing approvals.
• Makes purchases in a timely manner and at the lowest reasonable costs. Contracts vendors for pricing and delivery times of items needed.
• Increases purchasing efficiency through: the use of properly approved annual bids; the use of the internet when economically feasible; and any other approved means possible. Work with Engineering to write technical specifications and bid documents as required.
• Receives purchased and delivered items. Checks items for completeness and/or damage. Properly records and labels items received and places items in their proper location for orderly access.
• Manages the inventory by using computer programs and associated reports to: control and monitor the flow of items through the entire purchasing/receiving/warehousing/disbursement process; and to determine what items to include in inventory and in what quantities. Assists with data input and annual inventory counts; and share responsibility for the inventory system with other users and helps to integrate its functions with the purchase and management of inventory.
• Receives, reviews, and processes invoices, and forwards to Accountant for payment. Updates catalogs and price lists.
• Takes oil samples from transformers and sends them in to be tested for PCB levels, and have the oil disposed of with a reputable recycling company.
• Load truck with scrap wire, metals, and other unwanted materials/equipment, and take it to recycling centers to sell for scrap or to the landfill for disposal.
• Run parts to crews on job sites and delivers shipments to UPS store.
• Keeps the yard clean and maintains the security of the buildings and grounds. Checks gates and fencing for damage and makes repairs as needed.
• Performs or schedules building maintenance, including repairs of plumbing, electrical, and other items, and keep the restrooms in good repair and stocked with needed items.
• As directed, repairs or salvages damaged or replaced equipment or items.
• Supervises the part-time Assistant Purchasing Agent.
• Must carry a BCLP cell phone and be available for callouts as needed. Provides after-hours emergency material and purchasing support to ensure critical materials, equipment, and services are available when urgent operational needs arise.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Knowledge and ability to perform work safely.
• Ability to solve problems and make decisions using facts and personal judgement.
• Ability to work with department personnel, vendors and their sales staff, and public contacts.
• Ability to communicate both verbally and in writing with good English language skills.
• Ability to perform work in sometimes stressful, high-pressure situations.
• Skill to operate forklifts to load or unload materials.
• Skill and ability to exercise good judgement in making decisions.
• Basic knowledge of electric utility operations, purchasing, inventory, warehouse, and personnel principals and management.
• Knowledge and ability to use spreadsheet and word processing programs.
• Skill in the operation of a 10-key calculator.
• Basic math skills with the ability to audit invoices.
• Ability to gather, collate, and/or classify information related to inventory.
• Ability to communicate and converse effectively and persuasively both verbally and in writing with governing boards, citizens, customers, and employees.

Qualifications:

High School Diploma or equivalent and minimum two (2) years experience in purchasing and handling inventory, preferably in the electric utility environment, or any equivalent of education or experience.

Successfully pass a background check, a driving record check, and a pre-employment drug test

Required Licenses and Certifications:

Must have and maintain a valid Utah driver's license

Forklift Certification or obtain within 90 days (on-the-job training available)

Basic Rigging Certification or obtain within 90 days (on-the-job training available)

Working Conditions:

Essential job functions require a variety of physical activities, generally involving muscular strain related to walking, standing, stooping, sitting, reaching, and lifting (up to 50 pounds). Talking, hearing, and seeing are essential to performing job functions. Common eye, hand, and finger dexterity. Mental application utilizes memory for details, verbal instructions, emotional stability, thinking, and creative problem solving. Daily local travel is required in normal course of job performance. Uncomfortable working conditions will be encountered at times due to environmental extremes. Occasionally, will be called out after hours (nights, weekends, and holidays) to respond to emergency problems relating to public utilities.