Purchasing Clerk

Salary:
With HS Diploma - $18.00 / hour

FLSA Status:
This is a non-exempt position.

Work Schedule:

Monday
- Friday, 8 a.m.

- 4:30 p.m. This position works 260 days per year, 8 hours per day. Schedules may vary due to work assignments and projects.

Department:
Early Learning

Location:

Head Start Administrative Office, 2302 Ocoee Street, Chattanooga, TN 37406

The Purchasing Clerk coordinates the purchase of materials, supplies, and equipment for the Chattanooga Head Start program using Electronic Requisition ing, Purchasing, and Encumbrance Software modules for the processing of purchases. Reports to the Manager of Fiscal Operations.

• Order merchandise and services based on program needs.
• Use electronic requisitioning, purchasing, and encumbrance software modules for processing of purchases.
• Review requisitions for accuracy, completeness, and account codes and prepare and process purchase orders.
• Work closely with the Purchasing Supervisor and Manager Financial Operations to resolve any issues with purchase orders or the release of encumbered expenses.
• Coordinate purchasing details with city buyers, including pricing revisions, order cancellations, discontinued items, acceptable substitutes, delivery date revisions, and invoice discrepancies.
• Compare costs and evaluate the quality and suitability of supplies, materials, and equipment; provide price comparisons and quotes when requested.
• Track requisitions through the City system to ensure receipt and payment are made in a timely manner.
• Communicates effectively with City purchasing and accounting staff.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

• High school diploma or GED.
• Job-related Associate degree and/or Purchasing Certification preferred.
• Minimum of one year of purchasing experience in a high-volume purchasing environment.
• Ability to pass a child-sensitive background check.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Any combination of equivalent experience and education to perform the essential functions of the position will be considered.

• Knowledge of electronic requisitioning, purchasing, and encumbrance software, and/or proven ability to learn complex computer systems.
• Knowledge of Microsoft Office, Word, Excel, Google Cloud apps (Docs, Sheets, Email).
• Ability to work successfully and consistently with little supervision.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong organizational skills, including the ability to monitor and prioritize workload properly to meet strict deadlines.
• Strong problem-solving skills, including the ability to see analogous situations within a complex structure and apply similar solutions.
• Sustained concentration and attention to detail and accuracy.
• Ability to work in a team environment; provide assistance in a collaborative fashion.

Positions in this class typically require walking, standing, reaching, fingering, grasping, feeling, talking, hearing, seeing, and repetitive motions.

MEDIUM WORK
- Exerting up to 50 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 20 pounds of force frequently, and/or up to 10 pounds of force constantly to move objects. This position is classified as Medium Work in compliance with Head Start Program Performance Standards, which require staff to ensure the health and safety of children. This may include the direct supervision of children and/or the ability to respond promptly and effectively in the event of an emergency at a Head Start center.

Safety Sensitive: N
Department of Transportation - CDL: N
Child Sensitive: Y

This position is subject to pre‑employment screenings, which include a background check, drug screening, lift test, TB screening questionnaire, and/or TB skin test (as determined by initial results), complete physical examination, Hepatitis B titter, and fingerprinting. Ongoing requirements include a physical reexamination on an annual or bi-annual basis and fingerprint clearance every five years.

The City of Chattanooga, Tennessee, is an Equal Opportunity Employer. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, the City will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities and encourages both prospective and current employees to discuss potential accommodations with the employer.