Buyer

Virginia Passenger Rail Authority•Richmond, VA

10d

About The Position

The Virginia Passenger Rail Authority (VPRA) is seeking a Buyer to manage day-to-day purchasing needs, including a moderate to high volume of construction, architecture/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). One full-time position is available in either Richmond or Alexandria. Applicants based in Northern Virginia are eligible for a 15% geographical pay differential. With minimal direction from the Senior Manager of Procurement, the Buyer will oversee procurement and contracting activities to ensure compliance, timeliness, transparency, and alignment with VPRA objectives and applicable regulations. The role involves working with departments and vendors, managing agreements and contract compliance, supporting issue resolution, maintaining procurement records, and providing procurement guidance to staff.

Requirements

High school diploma or equivalent.
At least four years of relevant procurement experience.
Demonstrated knowledge of best-practice procurement principles, public procurement law, and acceptable governmental procurement methods.
Familiarity with all stages of procurement, from preparing a scope of work and gathering quotes or preparing a request for proposal/qualifications to 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).
Ability to negotiate costs to achieve best value and mitigate risk across procurement activities for goods and services related to construction, engineering, and simple projects.
Ability to independently handle many 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 utilization.
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 effectively 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 that resolve complicated issues when obtaining bids and proposals, awarding contracts, and developing reliable sources of supplies and services.
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 timely in accordance with applicable law and VPRA policies and procedures.
Manage requisitions and confer with departments regarding requirements, specifications, quantity, quality, and delivery.
Identify and cultivate dependable supply and service sources, promoting increased participation from small and diverse businesses (SWaM).
Oversee all stages of the procurement process, ensuring compliance, timeliness, transparency, and strategic sourcing aligned with VPRA objectives and applicable regulations.
Develop, negotiate, and manage strategic vendor agreements with consultants and contractors to achieve cost savings, mitigate risk, and ensure compliance with VPRA policies, legal standards, and industry standards.
Monitor contracts to uphold best practices and enhance procurement efficiency.
Manage change orders and adherence to contract terms and conditions.
Identify and implement procurement and contracting methods aligned with VPRA requirements, Federal grant regulations, industry standards, and marketplace best practices.
Address disputes related to scope and performance, serve as an escalation point to mitigate risk and support smooth project execution, 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.
Provide guidance and training to 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.