Buyer

Virginia Passenger Rail Authority•Richmond, VA

About The Position

The Buyer supports the Virginia Passenger Rail Authority’s procurement and contract administration functions by handling 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 requires knowledge of public purchasing requirements and familiarity with Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR). With minimal direction from the Senior Manager of Procurement, the Buyer oversees procurement activity and contract administration in support of VPRA’s projects and objectives. This is a full-time position that may be based in Alexandria or Richmond, Virginia. Applicants based in Northern Virginia are eligible for 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 the stages 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).
Ability to negotiate costs to achieve best value and mitigate risk in procurement of 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, and eliminate non-value-added actions for optimal resource utilization.
Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook) and commonly used office software such as Adobe, Dynamics 365, and Kahua.
Excellent verbal, written, and interpersonal skills, with 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 or 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 promptly in accordance with applicable law and VPRA policies and procedures.
Manage requisitions and consult departments about requirements, specifications, quantity, quality, and delivery.
Identify and cultivate dependable supply and service sources, promoting participation from small and diverse businesses (SWaM).
Oversee all stages of procurement to ensure 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 improve procurement efficiency.
Manage change orders and monitor 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.
Help resolve procurement issues, address disputes related to scope and performance, and serve as an escalation point to mitigate risk and support smooth project execution while communicating 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.