Buyer

Pinellas County Sheriff's Office•Pinellas County, FL

21d•Onsite

About The Position

Pinellas County Sheriff's Office is seeking a Buyer to join our Procurement team. In this role, you will help ensure agency members have the equipment, supplies, and services they need to carry out their mission of serving and protecting the community. From developing bid specifications and issuing purchase orders to negotiating with vendors and managing contracts, you will play an important role in supporting operations across the Sheriff's Office while ensuring purchases are made in accordance with agency policies and state and federal procurement regulations. The ideal candidate is organized, detail-oriented, and enjoys building strong relationships while balancing multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment. They possess strong analytical and problem-solving skills, communicate effectively with vendors and internal customers, and take pride in finding solutions that provide the best value while maintaining quality and compliance. Experience in procurement, purchasing, contract administration, supply chain management, or inventory management is beneficial. This position offers the opportunity to make a meaningful impact behind the scenes by supporting the people and resources that keep the Sheriff's Office operating every day. If you enjoy collaborating with others, negotiating solutions, and working in a role where no two days are the same, we encourage you to apply. This is a Monday-Friday, daytime position. Consideration given for relevant experience. The background investigation process may take up to 6 weeks depending upon the complexity of the applicant's background and position for which they've applied. Under the general direction of the Procurement Supervisor, performs specialized work in the purchase of goods and commodities, supplies, equipment, and services used by the Pinellas County Sheriff's Office. Work involves communication with vendors and officials of the agency on all aspects of procurement and requires a high degree of initiative, professionalism, and independent judgment in the purchasing process. Work is reviewed through observation and results obtained.

Requirements

Graduation from an accredited college or university with an Associate Degree in Business Administration, Supply Chain Management, Public Administration or related field
Four (4) years’ related experience in large scale buying
Or equivalent combination of education and experience
Consideration for this position requires a credit check
Must possess a valid Florida driver’s license
Knowledge of large scale purchasing methods and procedures in commodity areas and of the laws, rules and regulations effective in the County and State governing the purchase of commodities and services
Ability to obtain and interpret market prices and trends and to apply such interpretations to procurement and budgeting
Knowledge of the grades, qualities, supply sources and market factors of commodity categories frequently required by departments
Knowledge and experience in inventory management and control principles and practice
Ability to maintain detailed records and to perform a variety of related data entry tasks
Time management, organizational, and problem solving skills
Ability to work effectively with vendors and coworkers
Skilled in developing detailed bid specifications to elicit competition among vendors and in analyzing bid responses to secure the highest quality service or commodity for the best price
Knowledge of elementary bookkeeping methods in the keeping of accurate and systematic procurement records
Ability to operate equipment and instruments utilized in meeting job requirements and operational responsibilities
Ability to perform all functions of the job classification without posing a direct threat to the health or safety of other individuals in the workplace

Nice To Haves

Experience in procurement, purchasing, contract administration, supply chain management, or inventory management is beneficial.

Responsibilities

Reviews requisitions and specifications to obtain competitive quotations from vendors
Establishes working relationships with vendors through in person meetings and phone/e-mail communication; discusses and resolves problems regarding delayed goods and services delivery; returns damaged or incorrect items to vendors and processes necessary documents for credit
Responds to department user requests, inquiries and problems regarding procurement processes and provides the costs of items/goods/services; determines inventory stock levels, reordering procedures and sources purchases to appropriate vendors
Prepares and issues purchase orders to vendors; expedites orders when necessary.
Provides procurement support and services for department users to determine means and methods for requesting and completing procurement orders of commodities, materials, supplies and equipment
Prepares requests for quotes and bid specifications based on organizational needs; writes and/or reviews technical specifications and contracts for purchase of goods and services in conformity with purchasing policies of the agency, the State of Florida, and Federal guidelines
Advertises formal bids and solicits quotations; determines when pre-bid conferences are required and presides over them
Conducts negotiations with suppliers to establish fee schedules and contract prices that are consistent with prevailing market conditions
Prepares documentation for contract awards, amendments, and change orders
Interprets contracts, warranty statements, terms/conditions, and legal documents
Reviews and forecasts market trends and perform price/cost analysis as necessary
Reviews historical data for each assigned commodity class and develops a plan to provide advantageous prices and expeditious delivery through an effective balance of term contracts, blanket purchase orders and open market purchases
Surveys markets to determine best source, new sources, market conditions and trends
Implements and establishes training programs pertaining to procurement related functions and applications
Regular and reliable attendance is required as an essential function of the position
This position is considered essential and, in the event of an emergency or natural disaster, will be required to report to work
Participates in Sheriff’s Office recruitment and community relations activities as directed