Lead Purchasing Agent

Veterans Health Administration • Omaha, NE

2d • Onsite

About The Position

This position serves as a Lead Purchasing Agent for the Logistics Service within the VA Health Care System and supported catchment area. The role 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 in accordance with federal and VA regulations, policies, and procedures, supporting the purchase of a wide variety of complex and highly specialized services, supplies, equipment, and systems.

The position leads three or more Purchasing Agents performing work at or below the GS-6 level. It distributes and balances workloads, monitors timely completion, reviews completed work for compliance, resolves staff procurement concerns when possible, instructs employees in job techniques, identifies training needs, and provides on-the-job training to new Purchasing Agents.

The Lead Purchasing Agent conducts purchases for the VA Health Care System and supported catchment area under the micro-purchase threshold, using the government purchase card and appropriate ordering, reporting, and purchasing methods. The role provides administration and oversight of orders and services and advises approving officials and cardholders on purchase-card program requirements, procurement procedures, and responsibilities. It also serves as the first point of contact for medical staff and customers regarding procured items, provides clerical support and coordination, and uses automated systems and office software to manage data and prepare, organize, file, and retrieve reports and spreadsheets.

The work schedule is Monday through Friday, 7:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. The position is not virtual; the employee must live within or be willing to relocate within a commutable distance of the duty location. The work is performed in an office setting with everyday risks or discomforts, for which normal safety precautions are adequate.

Requirements

• At least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-6 level in the Federal service, typically in or related to the work of the Lead Purchasing Agent position.
• Experience procuring supplies and services to meet an organization's purchase, rental, or lease needs.
• Experience assisting with 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 in support of 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.
• Must be a U.S. citizen.
• Must complete the application, questionnaire, and required online assessment.
• Males born after December 31, 1959, must be registered with Selective Service.
• Must complete a background/security investigation and online onboarding process.
• Must meet pre-employment identification requirements; effective May 7, 2025, non-REAL ID-compliant driver's licenses or state identification cards are not acceptable for employment identification.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is required for Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel.
• Must serve a one-year probationary period.
• Must live within or be willing to relocate within a commutable distance of the duty location.
• Work is performed in an office setting and requires normal safety precautions.

Responsibilities

• Lead three or more Purchasing Agents performing work at or below the GS-6 level.
• Serve as the first respondent to staff concerns related to procurement or purchase orders and independently resolve issues when possible, escalating only those that cannot be resolved.
• Distribute and balance employee workloads, 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 employees.
• Conduct purchasing for the VA Health Care System and supported catchment area under the federal micro-purchase threshold.
• Use the government purchase card to purchase equipment, supplies, and services in accordance with applicable federal and VA requirements.
• Select ordering, reporting, and purchasing methods based on the type, quantity, dollar value, and urgency of requirements.
• Provide administration and oversight for orders and services.
• Advise approving officials and purchase cardholders on the purchase card program, procurement procedures, and responsibilities.
• 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.
• Selected applicants may qualify to receive credit toward annual leave accrual based on prior work or military service, subject to request and approval before appointment; credit is not guaranteed.

What This Job Offers

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