Associate Purchaser
The Associate Purchaser performs complex (journey-level) purchasing and procurement work. Work involves preparing procurement documentation, purchasing goods and services, and providing technical assistance. Works under general supervision with moderate latitude for initiative and independent judgment. This position reports to the Purchasing Supervisor.
State Classification: B16/1932/Purchaser III
WHAT YOU WILL DO:
Procurement Documentation
• Assists in developing bid specifications, including conferring with vendors and agency staff, to ensure items to be purchased are accurately and completely described.
• Reviews requisitions for completeness and compliance prior to processing the solicitation.
• Assists with preparing formal solicitation documents (including Invitation for Bid, Requests for Offer, Requests for Proposal, and Requests for Qualifications) and distributes to appropriate vendors, including Historically Underutilized Business (HUB) vendors.
• Coordinates the preparation, review, tracking, and expedition of purchase orders.
• Prepares and signs purchase orders for goods and services; coordinates with Legal Services and/or to evaluate service delivery, coordinate corrective actions with vendors, and negotiate extensions or modifications to contracts; and enters information into state and/or agency purchasing systems.
Purchasing
• Processes purchase orders and other purchasing documents and enters information into state and/or agency purchasing systems.
• Performs purchases of Automated Information Systems (AIS) utilizing Request for Offer process.
• Processes ProCard purchases according to TRS ProCard rules and regulations and will be a TRS ProCard holder.
• Reconciling and documenting ProCard transactions that were purchased under their card according to TRS’ rules and regulations.
• Processing ProCard POs for agency ProCard holders.
• Assist with the coordination of agency staff and vendors to ensure proper and timely delivery of goods and services and coordinates the return of incorrect products to vendors.
• May analyze vendor responses to determine best value, negotiates with vendors to develop best offer/proposal, and awards purchases.
• May monitor vendor performance.
Technical Support
• Prepares regularly scheduled and ad hoc reports.
• Maintains purchasing records and files
• Provides technical assistance to purchasing staff, other agency staff, and vendors regarding state and agency purchasing regulations, policies, and processes.
• Assists in the development/revision of purchasing related policies, procedures and systems.
Performs related work as assigned
WHAT YOU WILL BRING:
Required Education:
• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited four-year college or university.
• High school diploma or equivalent and additional purchasing, contract administration, or closely related experience may substitute for the required education on an equivalent year-for-year basis.
Required Experience:
• Three (3) years of full-time procurement or closely related experience.
Required Registration, Certification, or Licensure:
• Certification as a Certified Texas Contract Developer (CTCD) or must be obtained within one (1) year of employment if not already certified.