Lead Purchasing Agent

Veterans Health Administration • Jefferson Barracks, MO

6h • Onsite

About The Position

This position is located in the Logistics & Supply Chain Management Service at the VA St. Louis Health Care System—Jefferson Barracks, St. Louis, Missouri. It is not virtual; the employee must live within or be willing to relocate within a commutable distance of the duty location.

The Lead Purchasing Agent serves the Logistics Service within the VA Health Care System and supported catchment area. The position issues, reviews, and procures prescribed items for Veterans in compliance with VHA guidelines and directives. As a purchase card holder, the Lead Purchasing Agent fulfills acquisition requests under the federal micro-purchase threshold and purchases a wide variety of complex and highly specialized services, supplies, equipment, and systems in accordance with federal and VA regulations, policies, and procedures.

The position leads three or more Purchasing Agents performing work at or below the GS-6 level. It distributes and balances workloads, ensures timely completion, reviews work for compliance, responds to staff concerns about procurement and purchase orders, instructs employees, identifies training needs, and provides on-the-job training.

The Lead Purchasing Agent conducts purchases under the micro-purchase threshold using the government purchase card, selects purchasing and ordering methods based on the type, quantity, value, and urgency of requirements, oversees orders and services, and advises approving officials and purchase card holders on program responsibilities and procurement procedures. The position also serves as the first point of contact for medical staff and customers regarding procured items, provides clerical support and coordination, uses automated systems to manage data, and prepares and organizes reports and spreadsheets. Other related duties may be assigned.

Requirements

• At least one full year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-6 grade level in the Federal service, involving work that equipped the applicant to perform the duties of the position.
• Specialized experience must include procuring supplies and services to meet an organization's purchase, rental, or lease needs.
• Experience assisting in training new employees and answering questions about purchasing or procurement procedures and policies.
• Experience purchasing equipment, supplies, and services using a purchase card.
• Experience working with medical staff to determine procurement needs and priorities.
• Experience resolving shipment, payment, or other discrepancies related to procurement programs and operations.
• Experience assembling or summarizing information from files and documents to create reports using automated computerized supply or inventory management systems and Microsoft Office programs such as Word and Excel.
• Resume must provide complete information for each job, including employment dates, duties performed, and/or total hours worked per week.
• Must be a U.S. Citizen.
• Selective Service registration is required for males born after December 31, 1959.
• Must complete the required application, questionnaire, and online assessment.
• Must undergo a background/security investigation and complete online onboarding requirements.
• Must participate in the seasonal influenza vaccination program as a Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel employee.
• Must serve a one-year probationary period.
• No educational substitution is available 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 about procurement or purchase orders and independently resolve issues when possible.
• Distribute and balance workloads, ensure assignments are completed on time, 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 employees.
• Conduct purchasing for the VA Health Care System and supported catchment area under the micro-purchase threshold.
• Purchase equipment, supplies, and services using the government purchase card for micro-purchases.
• Select ordering, reporting, and purchasing methods based on the type, quantity, dollar value, and urgency of requirements.
• Provide administration and oversight of orders and services.
• Advise approving officials and purchase card holders on purchase card program responsibilities and procurement procedures.
• Serve as the first point 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 and their families have access to a comprehensive benefits package.
• Eligible applicants may request credit toward annual leave accrual based on prior work or military service, subject to approval before appointment.

What This Job Offers

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