Lead Purchasing Agent

Veterans Health Administration • Durham, NC

3d • Onsite

About The Position

This position serves as a Lead Purchasing Agent for the Logistics Service within the Durham VA Health Care System and its supported catchment area. The role issues, reviews, and procures prescribed items for Veterans in compliance with Veterans Health Administration guidelines and directives. As a government purchase card holder, the Lead Purchasing Agent fulfills acquisition requests under the federal micro-purchase threshold and leads work involving a variety of complex and highly specialized services, supplies, equipment, and systems.

The Lead Purchasing Agent leads three or more Purchasing Agents performing work at or below the GS-6 level. The position conducts purchases, provides oversight and administration of orders and services, advises approving officials and purchase card holders on program procedures and responsibilities, and provides administrative support to medical staff, customers, officials, and administrators. The role also uses automated systems and office software to manage data and prepare reports and spreadsheets.

The position is full-time, Monday through Friday, on a rotating schedule. Telework is not available, and this is not a virtual position. Relocation and recruitment incentives are not authorized.

Requirements

• U.S. citizenship is required.
• Meet the time-in-grade requirement, if applicable: for GS-07, 52 weeks at GS-06 in Federal service.
• One year of specialized experience equivalent to at least GS-06, including experience procuring supplies and services; assisting with training and answering questions about purchasing procedures and policies; using a purchase card; working with medical staff to determine procurement needs and priorities; resolving shipment, payment, or other procurement discrepancies; and preparing reports from files and documents using automated supply or inventory systems and Microsoft Office, such as Word and Excel.
• Complete the required application, questionnaire, and online assessment.
• Complete required pre-employment steps, including a background/security investigation and online onboarding.
• Participate in the seasonal influenza vaccination program as a condition of employment.
• Serve a one-year probationary period or two-year trial period, as applicable.
• There is no educational substitution at this grade level.

Responsibilities

• Lead three or more Purchasing Agents performing work at or below the GS-6 level.
• Serve as the first respondent to staff concerns regarding procurement or purchase orders and independently resolve issues when possible, escalating unresolvable issues.
• Distribute and balance workload, ensure timely completion of assignments, and review completed work for compliance.
• Instruct Purchasing Agents in specific tasks and job techniques; identify training needs and provide on-the-job training to new agents.
• Conduct purchases for the VA Health Care System and supported catchment area under the federal micro-purchase threshold.
• Purchase equipment, supplies, and services using the government purchase card for micro-purchases.
• Use different ordering, reporting, and purchasing methods based on requirement type, quantity, dollar value, and urgency.
• Provide administration and oversight of orders and services.
• Advise approving officials and purchase card holders on the purchase card program, procurement procedures, and responsibilities.
• Serve as the first line of contact for medical staff and customers regarding procured items.
• Provide clerical support and coordination to approving officials and administrators.
• Use automated systems to enter, update, revise, sort, and calculate data.
• Develop reports and spreadsheets and obtain, organize, file, and retrieve reports for briefings and presentations.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Federal employees receive a comprehensive benefits package. Eligibility depends on the position type and other factors; specific benefits are not detailed in the posting.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed