Buyer- Office of Purchasing

Position: Buyer- Harris County Office of Purchasing

About Harris County Purchasing Department:

Accountability, Ethics, Impartiality, Professionalism, Service, Transparency
* The Purchasing Department is created for the purpose of providing a checks and balances system for expenditure of public funds. The Purchasing Department strives to maintain consistent and open communication with the vendor community and the various supported County departments and agencies.
* Every effort is made to operate in an efficient and economical manner consistent with existing laws and sound business practices.

What you will do at Harris County Purchasing Department:

Under general supervision and guidance, the Buyer purchases goods, and services less than or equal to $50,000 for assigned commodities and coordinates the preparation and execution of sole source, personal/professional services, and maintenance agreements. The Buyer is Harris County’s representative to the supplier base in efforts to satisfy end user requirements for these goods and services. The Buyer may occasionally generate specifications, evaluate offers and bids and write award recommendations for procurements over $50,000.

The Buyer is knowledgeable of all rules and regulations governing each purchasing process utilized by Harris County.

Essential Functions and Duties:

• Solicit informal quotes for goods and services priced less than or equal to $50,000.
• Process purchase orders and addenda for purchases less than or equal to $50,000.
• Coordinate and expedites preparation and execution of agreements with the County Attorney, department, and vendor.
• Works with the departments and vendors to resolve any purchase order/delivery/quality issues when necessary.
• Seek out new vendors, including HUB vendors, on a weekly basis.
• Advises end users of procurement options available, product availability and market place changes relating to their requirements.
• Coordinate with Senior Buyers, Contract Administrators, and Assistant Purchasing Agent in determining where term contracts may be applicable and work toward developing specifications with supervisors.

Harris County is an Equal Opportunity Employer
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This position is subject to a criminal history check. Only relevant convictions will be considered and, even when considered, may not automatically disqualify the candidate .

Education:

• Bachelors degree from an accredited college or university

OR:

• Associates degree in directly related field from an accredited college or university
• Two (2) years of related procurement/purchasing experience

OR:

• High School Diploma or GED

• Four (4) years of related procurement/purchasing experience

Knowledge Skills, and Abilities:

• Excellent interaction skills: ability to interact assertively and effectively with a wide variety of people and personalities
• Excellent planning and organization skills to manage your work schedule and meet deadlines
• Ability to work in a team environment and solve problems/issues
• Ability to adapt and be flexible to respond to changing work situations and environments
• Negotiation skills to communicate effectively with clients or suppliers
• Basic knowledge and understanding of each informal purchasing process as utilized by Harris County and knowledge of procurement laws and purchasing policies.
• Excellent communication skills verbal and written; strong, active listening skills
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Word, Excel, and Outlook
• Ability to develop specification writing skills required for advancement into Senior Buyer position

NOTE
: Qualifying education, experience, knowledge, and skills must be documented on your job application. You may attach a resume to the application as supporting documentation butONLY information stated on the application will be used for consideration. See Resume will not be accepted for qualifications.

Experience:

• Extensive purchasing/procurement experience (preferred)

Position Type, Hours and Salary:

• Regular | Full-Time

• Monday - Friday 8:00AM - 5:00PM;
  Flexible work schedule

• Annual Salary Range:
  Depends on Experience

Location:

• Harris County Building, Office of the Purchasing Agent
  1111 Fannin St 12th Floor, Houston, TX 77002

Reporting Relationships:

• Reports To Position:
  Assistant Purchasing Agent
  Works With:
  Representatives of other county departments and vendor community.
  Supervises Positions:
  
  N/A

Physical Demands and Environmental Exposure:

• The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions:
  • This position is based in an office environment, where the use of standard office equipment such as computers, phones, scanners, and filing cabinets is routine.
  • The physical demands associated with this job are minimal, with occasional lifting and moving of objects weighing up to 10 pounds.
  • The…