Buyer

Under limited supervision, handles procurement and oversight of complex procurement contracts for the County and applicable entities who we serve as fiscal agent. This position ensures competitive bid process; facilitates evaluation of proposals; negotiates, awards and signs contracts; assists with the Delegated Purchasing Authority Program; analyzes vendor and end user claims and issues decisions; reviews, modifies and approves related purchase orders; oversees and manages contracts for assigned departments and provides procurement advice; resolves contract disputes. This position acquires goods and services for the County; prepares informal and formal solicitations; facilitates evaluations of proposals; recommends awards; and provides oversight until contract end and does related work as required. This is a mid-level professional position without supervisory responsibilities of direct employees but are required to lead, guide and navigate the Buyer Technician, end users as well as vendors. This job regularly works independently on sensitive, high profile and complex tasks and has decision making and signature authority on contracts. Develops, prepares and issues Requests for Proposals (RFP), Invitations for Bid (IFB), and Requests for Quotation (RFQ); prepares legal advertisements for publication as required by County ordinance. Evaluates and analyzes proposals, bids, and quotations for goods and services in terms of price, quality, and ability of the vendor to meet all terms and conditions. Issues notices of awards and notices of intent to award. Schedules and presides at pre-bid/pre-proposal conferences, evaluation committee meetings, and formal bid openings. Leads and guides discussions. Conducts vendor interviews, evaluations, and ranking of bid/proposal responses. Ensures all end users and vendors adhere to all applicable policies and procedures and laws of the department of the County and of the State. Oversees the end users by supporting any contract administration requests to maintain the effectiveness of contracts and minimize contract disputes and costs. Analyzes, evaluates, and makes recommendations concerning contract awards to vendors; verifies commodity and service quality; conducts negotiations with vendors; prepares and executes contractual documents. Analyzes and monitors contracts for compliance and acts as a liaison between the vendor and County departments. Provides ongoing assistance to departments with procurement of goods and services. Provides information pertaining to vendor sources. Communicates with vendors and departmental staff to resolve issues involving the procurement of goods and services. Maintains knowledge and understanding of the Virginia Public Procurement Act, other applicable laws, the County Purchasing Policy, best practices, and innovations in the profession. Assists in the development and delivery of training for departments regarding procurement policy and systems. Develops and maintains understanding of the Microsoft Dynamics and Purchasing department systems required to perform work and responsibilities. Assists in the preparation of budgets. Scans and maintains all documentation pertaining to project files into the document imaging system to ensure an acceptable audit trail. Ensures compliance with all federal, state, and local laws and regulations; interprets federal and state changes in code or regulations to aid in implementation of necessary procedural changes. Works directly with the County Attorneys Office for compliance and aid with contract reviews. Prepares price/cost analysis of products and services. Performs other duties as assigned. Education: Required: Bachelor's degree in Business Administration or related field, preferably with coursework in procurement related subjects; three (3) years of related work experience; or equivalent combination of education and/or experience. Experience: Required: Some finance, business, purchasing or related experience. Preferred: Three (3) or more years of experience and/or training in purchasing. Certifications/Licenses: Preferred: One or more certifications: Certified Professional Public Buyer (CPPB), Certified Professional Public Purchasing Officer (CPPO), Certified Purchasing Manager (CPM), or Virginia Contracting Officer (VCO). Knowledge, Skills and Abilities: General knowledge of purchasing principles and practices; rules, regulations and legislation governing purchasing activities. Knowledge of the Virginia Procurement Act and professional contract management. Some knowledge of sources of materials, supplies and services. General knowledge of contracting methods, types, principles and procedures as they apply to the public procurement process. General knowledge of business practices; market conditions; accounting practices and procedures; and computerized purchasing systems. Ability to develop and analyze specifications for bids, proposals, and quotations. Ability to effectively negotiate with departments and vendors. Excellent written and oral communication skills. Detailed oriented, organized and able to work independently. Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with others. Ability to negotiate sensitive issues, analyze conflicts, and facilitate resolutions. Ability to defend and negotiate recommendations. Supervisory Responsibilities: None Additional Requirements: May be required to infrequently visit job sites to determine compliance with contract terms. May be required to work during the evenings, weekends, or during emergencies depending on the needs of assigned service area. Work is performed in a dynamic environment that requires sensitivity to change and responsiveness to changing goals, priorities, and needs. Subject to a complete criminal history background check, credit and DMV record check with acceptable results. Must also be able to perform the job as described in the Physical and Environmental Demands section of this job description. #J-18808-Ljbffr