Senior Buyer
Finance

Support Staff - Position - Other - Other

Job Number: 4600180814

Start Date:

Open Date: 06/13/2019

Closing Date:

POSITION SUMMARY:
The Senior Buyer performs professional work of average difficulty in the technical and administrative functions of the centralized purchasing activities of APS. This position is responsible for the procurement of supplies, equipment and services in accordance with all applicable laws, policies, rules and regulation as set forth by the Atlanta Public Schools, the Georgia Deportment of Education and other federal, state and local agencies. Technical and administrative direction is typically received from theExecutive Director Purchasing and Warehoue Operations; it may also be received from a Purchasing Agent.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES:

1. Serves as informational expert for purchasing related to aspects of the Lawson system
2. Advises and assists customers (departments and schools) in the development of specifications and planning for purchase of supplies, equipment and services needed by APS in accordance with APS Procurement Policy and all other applicable federal, state and local laws, policies and procedures
3. Maintains operational and management reports for the Procurement Services Department
4. Prepares and issues solicitations based on understanding of the market, technical requirements, and customer needs while ensuring process integrity
5. Employs various techniques including price and cost analysis, evaluation of technical capability, evaluation of business stability and negotiation with suppliers to determine appropriate contract award recommendation based uopn solicitation requirements
6. Prepares, reviews and executes contracts and purchase orders within delegated authority
7. Coordinates legal review and board approval as required in preparing contracts
8. Maintains the integrity of the public procurement process
9. Protects customer's interest if the terms, conditions, or quality standards of the contract are not followed by the successful supplier
10. Conducts product research to forecast price trends, determine future availability, advise on new products and to anticipate future problems or opportunities
11. Maintains contacts with suppliers to both identify propspective suppliers and encourage their participation in the APS procurement process
12. Conducts strategic sourcing studies
13. Effectively communicates purchasing policies and procedures to APS personnel and interpret said policies and procedures as necessary
14. Assists staff by providing technical guidance and direction
15. Represents the Procurement Services Department at meetings with other APS departments, suppliers and other public agencies
16. Maintains current knowledge of purchasing practices through vendor contact, organization membership, trade literature, training, and trade shows
17. Performs other duties as assigned by appropriate administrator
18. Required to attend scheduled shift during regular business hours as mandated.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

• Knowledge of personal computers and common office software and productivity tools including MS Office, MS Outlook, Adobe Pro, and ERP systems
• Knowledge of the principles of general management, business administration, and purchasing
• Ability to develop effective and cooperative working relationships with APS departments, employees and suppliers
• Ability to effectively communicate orally and in writing
• Ability to work independently toward general results, devising new methods, modifying or adapting standard procedures to meet new conditions and making decisions based upon precedent, policy and acquired experience
• Ability to successfully deal with all persons in a fair and equitable manner
• Proven ability to work under pressure
• Possess complete integrity and a high sense of personal and professional ethics
• Ability to effectively communicate purchasing policies and procedures to APS personnel and interpret policies and procedures as necessary
• Skill in researching and preparing documents
• Ability to create and maintain complex spreadsheets

Requirements: EDUCATION:

Bachelor?s degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in public or business administration or other appropriate field required.

CERTIFICATION/LICENSE:

Must obtain Certified Public Procurement Buyer or Certified Public Procurement Officer certification within four (4) years after being placed in this position.

Certified Public Purchasing Buyer (CPPB) or equivalent preferred.

WORK EXPERIENCE:

Minimum three (3) years progressively responsible experience in public or private procurement
Work experience (beyond the minimum required) in a medium to large-scale public or private purchasing operation may be substituted on a year-for-year basis for the required college education

Compensation: Salary Grade: 126
Salary Range: FY'20 APS Salary Schedule (All Positions)
Work Year: Annual

FLSA Status: Exempt

Employment Category: At-Will

Reports to: Executive Director (Purchasing & Whse Ops Srvcs)