Buyer

Virginia Passenger Rail Authority•Alexandria, VA

About The Position

The Virginia Passenger Rail Authority (VPRA) is a political subdivision responsible for promoting, sustaining, and expanding passenger and commuter rail services in Virginia. It administers the state-supported passenger rail services and supports rail initiatives and major capital expansion projects, including Transforming Rail in Virginia. The Buyer handles day-to-day purchasing needs, including a moderate to high volume of construction, architecture and engineering, consulting services, and small goods and services procurements. The role supports VPRA’s procurement and contract administration functions and requires knowledge of public purchasing requirements and familiarity with Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR). The Buyer works with minimal direction from the Senior Manager of Procurement. The position is posted for Richmond and Alexandria; VPRA is hiring one Buyer, and the Alexandria salary range includes a 15% geographical pay differential.

Requirements

High school diploma or equivalent.
At least four years of relevant procurement experience.
Demonstrated knowledge of procurement best practices, public procurement law, and acceptable governmental procurement methods.
Familiarity with every stage of procurement, including preparing scopes of work, gathering quotes or preparing requests for proposals or qualifications, negotiating with vendors, and preparing written contracts.
Knowledge of public procurement law, governmental procurement methods, terminology, and principles, including the Virginia Public Procurement Act (VPPA) and Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR).
Skill in negotiating costs to achieve best value and mitigate risk for goods and services related to construction, engineering, and simple projects.
Ability to independently manage multiple assignments with minimal guidance and make effective procurement decisions.
Strong analytical skills to evaluate business and procedural processes, identify inefficiencies, eliminate non-value-added actions, and optimize resource use.
Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook) and commonly used office software such as Adobe, Dynamics 365, and Kahua.
Excellent verbal, written, and interpersonal skills, including the ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor’s degree in business or public administration, engineering, construction management, or a related field, or equivalent years of experience.
Virginia Construction Contracting Officer (VCCO) or other procurement/contracting certifications.
Ability to make effective decisions resolving complicated issues involving bids and proposals, contract awards, and development of reliable supply and service sources.
Experience working with Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) and Small Business Supplier Diversity (SBSD).
Proficiency with ERP and PMIS systems.
Familiarity with terminology and industry-specific jargon used in engineering, design contracts, and civil construction.

Responsibilities

Ensure purchases are performed accurately and on time in accordance with applicable laws and VPRA policies and procedures.
Manage requisitions and coordinate with departments on requirements, specifications, quantity, quality, and delivery.
Identify and cultivate dependable supply and service sources, promoting participation from small and diverse businesses (SWaM).
Oversee procurement processes to ensure compliance, timeliness, transparency, and strategic sourcing aligned with VPRA objectives and regulations.
Develop, negotiate, and manage strategic vendor agreements with consultants and contractors to support cost savings, risk mitigation, and compliance with VPRA policies, legal standards, and industry standards.
Monitor contracts, oversee compliance, manage change orders, and ensure adherence to terms and conditions.
Identify and implement procurement and contracting methods aligned with VPRA requirements, federal grant regulations, industry standards, and marketplace best practices.
Support resolution of procurement issues and disputes related to scope and performance, serve as an escalation point to mitigate risk, and maintain clear communication with VPRA leadership.
Prepare final project records for closeout and reporting, and support spend analysis and sourcing development through accurate data collection and documentation.
Guide and train staff on procurement best practices and stay current on market trends and product availability.
Assist with vendor management and prospective bidders by communicating processes, policies, and procedures, and represent VPRA tactfully and professionally.