Buyer Contract Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Job Overview
The Senior Buyer is responsible for providing direction, oversight, and leadership for purchasing processes including contracts, solicitations, safety, program management, audits and records management in compliance with District Policies and Governmental Rules and Regulations. The incumbent performs more complex purchasing activities and is expected to exercise independent thinking required to successfully complete assignments. Senior Buyer assignments include, but are not limited to, Requests for Proposals, Competitive Sealed Proposals, Bond Program Procurement, EDGAR Procurement, Quotes, Requisitions and Contracts. The incumbent will provide training to purchasing staff and end-users.

Position Description

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Lead the procurement process for the acquisition of goods and services, including construction, ensuring compliance and best value
• Serve as a liaison between campuses/departments and the Purchasing Department for purchases, including the Bond Program
• Qualify and evaluate firms proposing to provide services with respect to the Bond Program
• Collaborate with District personnel, vendors, and program manager(s) related to procurement
• Direct the district staff and bond program manager(s) involving procedural issues, documentation, work flow, protocol and reporting issues
• Manage sourcing within Construction Services for various contract forms and procurement methods and monitors compliance
• Implement assigned programs including interpretation of district policies and procedures, adherence to program processes and compliance with regulation
• Direct the organization and activities between departments, construction services, and procurement staff
• Respond to inquiries from employees/public (including TPIA requests) in an accurate, knowledgeable, efficient manner
• Coordinate procurement activities between Construction Services, Small Businesses, Legal Services, Real Estate & Leasing, External Legal Land Services, Property Management Firm(s), and Financial Services for Bond Program land acquisitions
• Collaborate with and assist program manager(s) in obtaining lien release, Certificate of Insurance and Bonds for construction contracts
• Authorize final closing of purchase orders after receiving notice of final payment from Accounting - Construction Services and other categories of purchasing
• Develop Board recommendations for all categories of purchasing, to include Construction Services, based on analysis of bid evaluations, ensuring accuracy, timeliness, and proper authorizations
• Serve as liaison with Technology for proper documentation related to Technology Bond Funds and any (E-rate related funding issues) and other documentation related to bond fund expenditures and/or financial participation
• Vendor Management - manage vendor performance

• Resolve disputed items/issues with contractors, consultants and staff
• Manage the procurement process, using a method prescribed by law, to include drafting specifications, conducting demonstrations/interviews, conducting bid openings, evaluating bids, negotiating, recommending award, contracting, and daily requisitioning. Responsible for knowing and executing processes for all facets of governmental procurement such RFP, CSP, RFQ, Quotes, EDGAR, E-Rate, Sealed Bid, and Cooperatives
• Respond to Internal Auditors, External Auditors and Fiscal Year-End Close Out Procedures for all categories of purchasing, including Bond Program and Construction Services
• Authorize purchases for all categories, including those associated with District's Bond Program, and exercise accounting controls to ensure budgeted expenditures do not exceed amounts authorized within areas of responsibility
• Serve as Records Liaison for non-personnel, purchasing-related documents for Construction Services and all other categories of purchasing. Required to provide complete bid files for all assigned bids
• Enforce ethical business practices
• Visit job sites as necessary
• Prioritize work and schedule in order to meet assigned deadlines
• Train and Mentor staff; provide feedback to Buyers
• Contract negotiations and oversight
• Oversee various meetings for the purpose of procurement processes
• Serve on various committees as a member, as required
• Communicate with other District personnel and departments, attorneys, insurance representatives, inspectors and others to coordinate activities, exchange information and manage purchasing and contract operations
• Perform research to determine legality and applicability of contract terms. Prepare and submit contract documents to execute agreements
• Explicate rules, regulations, policy and procedures related to purchasing, contract projects, and functions to district personnel and to the public in accordance with established procedures

Qualification Requirements
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each of the above essential duties satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or abilities, required unless otherwise stated as preferred. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essentials functions.

• Bachelor's degree in Business or a related field or 7 years of directly relevant professional experience in lieu of a degree
• Texas Association of School Business Officials Certification (TASBO) or other certifications preferred
• Minimum of 5 years of related governmental experience preferred
• Excellent computer application skills including Microsoft Windows, Microsoft Office Professional, SharePoint, and Project Management Software
• Ability to strategically plan and perform situational analysis
• Professional demeanor, effective communications skills, personal integrity, self-starter and the ability to work with complex issues in a confidential and fast paced work environment
• Excellent planning and problem solving/investigative skills
• Ability to coordinate multiple projects and assignments; high degree of flexibility
• Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written
• Knowledge of the principles, procedures, and legal requirements of financial accounting, school district purchasing and contracts;emphasis on school district purchasing
• Must be able to articulate information independently and properly manage periods of high stress
• Experience with large scale procurement projects $5 million plus preferred

Physical Requirements/Working Conditions
The work environment characteristics and physical demands described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Work is performed in classrooms, offices, work stations and meeting rooms.
The position requires occasional walking, standing, sitting, bending, stooping, kneeling, crouching, crawling, and lifting/carrying work related items weighing less than 40 pounds, such as books, papers and presentation materials. The employee is regularly required to use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls; reach with hands and arms; and talk or hear. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, color vision, and the ability to adjust focus. Attendance at conferences and professional development is required. Work involves everyday risks and discomforts which require normal safety precautions when operating equipment or performing job duties. May work prolonged or irregular hours and must be able to maintain emotional control under stress.
Additional Information

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls; communicate verbally and electronically; and talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to reach with hands and arms. The employee is occasionally required to lift objects up to ten pounds. The employee is occasionally required to stand and walk. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, and color vision. The employee is occasionally required to travel.