Buyer - Purchasing - Full Time

Job Type: Regular Full-Time
Department: Finance Department
Purchasing
Bargaining Unit: N/A

The Strategic Procurement Specialist performs professional administrative and skilled technical duties to administer the City's Minority Business Program (MBP), which includes the procurement of a wide variety of goods, non-professional and professional services and construction. Work is performed under general supervision. Reports to the Procurement Supervisor or Procurement Manager.
The preferred hiring range for this position is betwee n $27.62 - $33.95 an hour ($57,449.60 - $70,616.00 annually), with starting pay based on applicable education, experience, and internal equity.This full-time, non-exempt position offers a comprehensive benefits package, health insurance with employer contribution, employer-paid life insurance, gym membership reimbursement, tuition assistance, and professional development opportunities. This position is also eligible for the following leave and retirement benefits:

• Vacation Leave: 3.09 hours accrued bi-weekly (increases with YOS).
• Sick Leave: 4.62 hours accrued bi-weekly, approx. 13 Paid Observed City Holidays
• 1 Floating Holiday which must be taken during the fiscal year (July 1 - June 30)

~ Choice of retirement plan:
~ Defined Benefit Pension Plan: Provides a monthly benefit upon retirement, calculated using a defined formula based on earnings history, years of service, and age. Defined Contribution 401a Plan: Employer makes fixed contributions to an individual account, which are invested, and returns are credited to the account. The account balance is used to provide retirement benefits. The City of Charlottesville manages its own retirement system and does not participate in VRS; Reasonable accommodations will be considered to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Assists decentralized buyers/end users with the planning and scheduling of purchases, including the development of specifications and/or scope of work, and assist decentralized buyers/end users with Contract Administration procedures.
The MBP includes these businesses: under the federal program - Minority Business Enterprise (MBE), Women Business Enterprise (WBE), Disadvantaged Business (DBE), Veteran Business Enterprise (VBE), and Small Business Administration (SBA), AND under the state program - Small, Women-Owned and Minority-Owned businesses and Micro businesses (SWaM-O) and Service Disabled Veterans (SDV), Employment Service Organization (ESO) and any other businesses which is part of the City's MBP.
Collects and analyzes City department/division spend data in combination with collecting and analyzing MBP business certification data, and markets to City departments/divisions to show MBP businesses that sell what departments buy.
Identify saturated markets & unsaturated markets as areas of possible business growth for MBP businesses and provide meaningful data to Economic Development for their use in business development.
Provide internal and external MBP training.
Serve as a Central Buyer and completes procurement processes using varying methods of procurement such as small purchase procedures, competitive sealed bidding, competitive negotiation, sole source, emergency and cooperative procurements.
Ensures compliance with federal, state and local law such as the Virginia Public Procurement Act, Federal Transit Administration, City Code, grants, and other applicable law.
Facilitates decentralized procurement program, and reviews purchases requested by decentralized buyers/end users under the City's small purchase procedures and approves or denies contracts (purchase orders) based on applicable procurement laws, ordinances, policies and regulations.
Curates and updates the Minority Business Directory for Planning District 10.
Provides customer service to include assisting internal and external customers with various requests for assistance or information as needed, including Freedom of Information Act requests related to the MBP.
Utilizes procurement resources to assist in making sound procurement decisions.
Represents the City at various trade shows and outreach events and provides training to vendors on how to do business with the City.
Conducts training for City departments on SAP purchasing functionality such as creating requisitions, purchase orders, contract purchases, receiving and the payment process. Assists decentralized buyers/end users with the SAP purchasing and inventory transactions.
Responsible for appropriate use and maintenance of City equipment, tools and other resources, including work time.
Special projects as assigned.
May act as back-up to Procurement Supervisor.
Associate degree or two years of undergraduate coursework in a related field AND 2 years of experience in procurement, purchasing, or business services that assist business enterprises.

High School diploma or GED AND 4 years of experience in procurement, purchasing, or business services that assist business enterprises.

Experience in local government.
Experience with an Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system, specifically with purchasing and inventory modules.
SAP related experience.
Within 2 years of employment, must be certified as a Virginia Contracting Officer, Certified Professional Public Buyer, Certified Professional Procurement Officer or other approved professional procurement certification.
Thorough knowledge of standard office practices, procedures, and equipment.
Knowledge of contract and procurement law and methods of procurement; contract negotiation.
Knowledge of federal, Virginia laws and the City Code as they relate to public purchasing.
General knowledge of automated purchasing and inventory systems.
General knowledge of common business methods, marketing and purchasing practices.
Intermediate: ability to read and understand written materials such as newspapers, magazines, multi-step instruction manuals, and legal documents.

Writing
~ Intermediate: ability to write reports, prepare materials such as business letters, explanations, and summaries with proper format, punctuation, spelling, and grammar, using all parts of speech.

simple formulas, practical application of fractions, percentages, ratios/proportions and measurement.

Requires General Direction: normally performs the job by following general instructions or established standard operating procedures and/or policies. There is some discretion when making decisions among a few easily identifiable choices of the appropriate procedure or policy to apply to duties. Performance is reviewed frequently.

Skilled: comprehensive, practical knowledge of a technical field with use of analytical judgment and decision-making abilities appropriate to the assigned and apparent job responsibilities. Uses City's Enterprise Resource Planning computer system effectively, strong computer skills including experience with Microsoft Office and automated systems.

Prepares accounting and purchasing documents; and does research to justify procurement decisions and language used in documents.

May assign work and direct assistants, seasonal employees, interns or temps.

Work effectively with sensitive and confidential information or issues.
Constantly operates a computer and other office productivity machinery, such as a calculator, copy machine, and computer printer.
Occasionally moves about inside the office to access file cabinets and office machinery.
Machines, Tools, Equipment, Software and Hardware:

~ Typically requires use of standard office equipment and telephone, and related software and hardware; and any other equipment as appropriate or as assigned.

Work is performed in an office environment where there may be exposure to computer screen for extended periods of time, monitor glare and dust.
The City of Charlottesville is an Equal Opportunity Employer and supports workforce diversity at all levels of the organization. The City prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, age, sex or gender (including pregnancy, childbirth and pregnancy-related conditions), gender identity or expression (including transgender status), sexual orientation, marital status, military service and veteran status, physical or mental disability, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. The City is dedicated to this with respect to recruitment, hiring, placement, promotion, transfer, training, compensation, benefits, employee activities, access to facilities and programs, and general treatment during employment.
Requests for reasonable accommodation by individuals with disabilities may be requested by contacting Human Resources at View phone number on click.appcast.io or
The City of Charlottesville conducts job related background checks, reference checks, and pre-employment drug tests, in accordance with federal, state, and local law, of applicants who reach the final stages of the employment selection process. The City's policy has not changed because of the decriminalization of marijuana in the Commonwealth of Virginia. Marijuana remains an illegal drug under federal law, and it continues to be a violation of the US Department of Transportation regulations and the City's policy prohibiting employees from testing positive for marijuana.
Benefits cited represent those for regular 40-hour employees and may differ for Management Level, Part-Time, and/or Library positions. Long-term temporary employees are eligible for all benefits except retirement. Interns, temporary, seasonal, substitute, and relief employees are not eligible for benefits.
Holidays: Enjoy 13 paid holidays per year. Including 1 Floating Holiday, which must be taken during the Fiscal Year (July 1 - June 30):

OBSERVED CITY HOLIDAYS

New Years Day
Veterans Day
Christmas Eve
Christmas Day
1 Floating Holiday
Regular full-time employees receive up to 8 hours and all regular part-time employees are eligible to receive pro-rated leave each available each calendar year.
Aetna Medical Plans: Coverage is effective on the first of the month following date of hire.
# Prescription Card: ($10 generic, $30 lower cost name brand,$55 higher cost name brand, 20% up to $150 for specialty drugs)
Mail Order Maintenance Prescription Drug Program ($20 generic, $60lower cost name brand, $110 higher cost brand) not available for specialty drugs)
Delta Dental Plan:

• Basic Dental Care-80%; Major Dental Care- 50%
• 1,000 Orthodontic benefit (children to age 19)

2.50 premium paid bi-weekly for employee-only coverage. Life Insurance: In the event of your death, your beneficiary will receive twice your annual salary. Supplementary policies for you and your dependents are available.
Long-Term Disability: Upon approval for along-term illness or injury, you can receive up to 60% of your earnings after a 90-day wait period.
Short-Term Disability; RETIREMENT:
Pension:
# A Defined Benefit Pension plan pays a monthly benefit in retirement using a defined formula based on the employee's earnings history, tenure of service, and age. A Defined Contribution 401a plan in which fixed contributions are paid into an individual's account by the employer, the contributions are invested, returns (positive or negative) are credited to the account, and the account balance is used to provide retirement benefits. Note: the Defined Contribution retirement plan is the only plan available for Library employees ).

Supplement: Deferred Compensation 457 available for you to invest your own money for additional retirement savings.
Gym Membership Reimbursement Program (up to $34.00 per month)
Reimbursement up to $20 per month for reasonable bicycle commuting expenses
Online wellness resources and Lunch-and-Learn Sessions

Employee Assistance Program:
~ A variety of confidential, personal professional services for you and your family available 24 hours a day.

Tuition Reimbursement:
~ Up to $1,500 for job-related certificates, trade programs, undergraduate coursework or up to $3,000 for graduate level courses per fiscal year for career-related courses.

Flexible Spending Accounts:
~ Expense accounts available for healthcare, dependent care and parking/mass transit.

Your response must be verifiable in reference to the Education History section on your online application.)
Bachelor's degree or higher.
High School Diploma
Do you have experience in procurement, purchasing, or business services that assist or support business enterprises?(Your response must be verifiable in reference to the Work History section of your online application.)
Have you provided all current, related, certifications you possess in the 'Certifications and Licenses' section of your application?
To be considered, qualifying education and experience, including City of Charlottesville employment, must be clearly documented in the education, work history, and additional information sections of the employment application. Resumes can be attached but should not be used as a substitute for the required information on the application. I understand that an attached resume may not be accepted in place of a completed employment application and that my qualifications should be stated on the employment application itself.
I certify that the information above is true and correct, and I certify that it can be verified with reference to the information in my basic application. I understand that my application may be rejected if the responses to supplemental questions do not match my basic application.