Listing Summary

POSITION SUMMARY

Under technical and administrative direction, the Buyer performs comprehensive professional work for complex and/or sensitive procurement activities in the solicitation and contracting functions of the centralized purchasing requirements of the City of South Fulton. This position is responsible for the procurement of supplies, equipment, and services in compliance with all applicable laws, policies, rules, and regulations as set forth by the City of South Fulton, and other applicable federal, state, and local agencies. Technical and administrative direction is received from the Director of Purchasing. 

ESSENTIAL DUTIES

• Advises and assists employees in the development of specifications and planning for purchasing.
• Determines the method for solicitations, the contract type to be employed, and the method for evaluation of bids or proposals.
• Prepares solicitations, including Invitation for Bid (IFB), Request for Proposal (RFP), Request for Qualification (RFQual), Request for Quote (RFQ), based on understanding of the market, technical requirements, and needs of the department/City.
• Employs various techniques such as price and cost analysis, evaluation of technical capability, and evaluation of business stability to determine appropriate contract award.
• Evaluation Committee   meetings or contract award, post-award changes and termination settlements.
• Applies contract administration principles and practices to monitor contract performance over the life of contracts and to solve a broad range of issues relating to changes/modifications, clauses, non-performance and similar problems.
• Terminates contracts, if appropriate, for convenience or default and settles the termination in the best interest of the City while determining the allowable costs and other factors in a fair manner to the contractor.
• Ensures all purchasing activities are in compliance with City of South Fulton rules, regulations and policy, and all applicable state and federal laws.
• Resolves contractual conflicts.
• Ensures all deadlines and conditions described on contracts are met.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Requirements

EDUCATION:

• Associate degree from an accredited college or university in Business or Public Administration, or a directly related field from an accredited college or university OR Four years of experience in a purchasing environment, OR Two years of experience at the lower level Purchasing Agent or position equivalent. Note: Some positions may require certification. Note: An equivalent combination of education and job specific experience that provided the knowledge, experience and competencies required to successfully perform the job at the level listed may be substituted on a year-over-year basis.

 

• CERTIFICATION/LICENSE:

Certification in the purchasing profession by a national purchasing organization, or equivalent recognition such as a federal government warrant as a contracting officer with a least a $1 million authority preferred

KNOWLEDGE SKILLS AND ABILITIES

• Business practices related to purchasing.
• Laws, policies, and procedures governing public procurement.
• Basic principles of accounting, budgeting, and statistics as they relate to purchasing activities.
• Skilled in Personal computers and common office software and productivity tools including MS Office, MS Outlook, Adobe Pro, and ERP systems.
• Knowledge in researching and preparing highly complex specifications, solicitations, and contract documents.
• Ability to source out the appropriate suppliers to support the delivery of services and equipment, develop new supply sources and analyze supplier responses and quotes.
• Ability to lead and facilitate supplier selections to achieve favorable terms on quality, delivery, and price, ensure end-user needs are met and deliver substantial cost savings on a consistent basis.
• Ability to create and maintain complex spreadsheets.
• Ability to develop effective and cooperative working relationships with employees and suppliers.
• Ability to coordinate, manage, problem solve, strategize, schedule, analyze, and plan.
• Ability to effectively communicate orally and in writing, including the ability to convey complex and technical subjects in a clear, concise, and positive manner.
• Ability to successfully deal with all persons in a fair and equitable manner.
• Proven ability to work under pressure.
• Able to attain the integrity of the public procurement process.
• Must possess complete integrity and a high sense of personal and professional ethics.