Buyer

Job Title

Purchasing Specialist

Job Description

Summary: Purchases materials, equipment, supplies and services of a specialized or complex nature in accordance with prescribed purchasing regulations and procedures. Reviews and analyzes purchase requisitions, investigates and develops sources of supplies, prepares bid specifications, issues bid requests and reviews quotations. Interprets purchasing procedures to departments and vendors, as a specialist in assigned material categories, which require a degree of technical knowledge. This position requires the use of initiative and independent judgment.

Examples of Duties

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Processes difficult and unique purchasing transactions according to state and federal statutes, policies established by the Alabama Board of Regents and institutional policies and procedures.
• Examines and analyzes departmental purchase requisitions for completeness and accuracy of information. Contacts department or initiator to clarify or complete information. Determines method to process requisition based on dollar amount, timeliness required, existing open contracts, and/or competitive bidding.
• Identifies and selects vendor to procure requisitioned commodities, meeting criteria such as price, quantity, quality and delivery date and places orders.
• Identifies requesting departments needs and develops and refines specifications for commodities, supplies or equipment.
• Interviews sales representatives to develop new sources of technical supplies, securing favorable terms for the University; updates records and files and secures samples, descriptions, photos or information for departments.
• Interprets and communicates purchasing procedures to departments, assists departments in initiating requisitions and orders, and solves problems with orders.
• Writes and distributes complex and technical bid invitations or requests for proposals; receives and analyzes bids, quotes, proposals, and awards the contract.
• Resolves purchasing problems between department and vendor.

Typical Qualifications

Minimum Position Requirements (including certifications, licenses, etc.): Bachelor's degree in related field AND one year of buying experience; OR, Five years of buying experience; OR, Any equivalent combination of experience and/or education from which comparable knowledge, skills and abilities have been achieved.

Supplemental Information

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Knowledge of purchasing practices and procedures.
• Knowledge of materials, products, and the commodity market in area of specialization.
• Skill in preparing and analyzing complex technical specifications and bids.
• Skill in both verbal and written communication.
• Skill in establishing and maintaining effective working relationships.

Benefits

We offer a complete benefits package to full-time employees including health care, dental, vision, retirement, deferred compensation plans, flexible spending accounts, life insurance, short and long-term disability, holidays, vacation, and sick leave. To learn more details, visit our benefits page.