Principal Buyer - City of Birmingham

JobsQuest•Birmingham, AL

1d•Onsite

About The Position

The City of Birmingham is seeking a well-qualified and motivated Principal Buyer. This position is responsible for planning, coordinating, analyzing, and evaluating bid activities for materials, supplies, equipment, and services on behalf of the City. The Principal Buyer procures goods and services for purchasing association member agencies and assists Buyers and Senior Buyers with large and complex purchases to ensure compliance with federal, state, and local regulations. This role also reviews and approves vendor invoice payments and performs administrative functions that support the procurement process. They communicate regularly with vendors, maintain accurate documentation and records, and assist in preparing the department’s budget by compiling and analyzing relevant information. In addition, the Principal Buyer supervises administrative personnel by assigning work, monitoring performance, and providing guidance and training.

Requirements

Option A: Experience conducting negotiations with vendors to achieve the best value for commodities and/or services with regard to terms, conditions, and price.
Experience analyzing departmental requests for commodities and/or services and preparing invitations to bid and/or request for proposals.
Experience with contract administration to include resolving disputes and/or performance issues.
Experience analyzing and evaluating product specifications and price variables on requested commodities and/or services and making recommendations to award.
Option B: Associate’s degree or higher in Business Administration, Public Administration, Procurement or a related degree.
Experience conducting negotiations with vendors to achieve the best value for commodities and/or services with regard to terms, conditions, and price.
Experience analyzing departmental requests for commodities and/or services and preparing invitations to bid and/or request for proposals.

Responsibilities

Planning, coordinating, analyzing, and evaluating bid activities for materials, supplies, equipment, and services.
Procuring goods and services for purchasing association member agencies.
Assisting Buyers and Senior Buyers with large and complex purchases to ensure compliance with federal, state, and local regulations.
Reviewing and approving vendor invoice payments.
Performing administrative functions that support the procurement process.
Communicating regularly with vendors.
Maintaining accurate documentation and records.
Assisting in preparing the department’s budget by compiling and analyzing relevant information.
Supervising administrative personnel by assigning work, monitoring performance, and providing guidance and training.
Assesses bid proposals and bids, negotiates and awards contracts to appropriate vendor and/or submits bid award contract to appropriate authority.
Performs administrative duties including maintaining records, producing documentation and responding to inquiries about purchasing policies and procedures in order to complete daily tasks.
Purchases materials, supplies, equipment, and professional services by preparing product specifications and processing requests for a wide range of products and commodities via quotes, bids and contracts.
Researches information on potential bidders, product costs, and vendors in order to obtain needed items and/or services from the most appropriate and responsible vendor.
Reviews invoices to ensure accurate pricing, quantity and items that have been received, resolve discrepancies, and forwards invoices to end users and Accounts Payable.
Supervises staff by assigning and distributing work, directing staff in their job duties, monitoring progress of work, providing feedback and/or training.