Procurement Specialist 3

City of Detroit•DWSD -735 Randolph Detroit MI 48226, MI

About The Position

The Procurement Specialist 3 performs procurement work involving goods, professional services, and construction contracts. The role compiles bids, data, and purchasing documents and manages suppliers, bids, and change orders. It also supports the preparation of specifications and requests for bids, analyzes quotations and market conditions, reviews requisitions and contracts, and follows up on purchasing and delivery activities. Work may include directing project or team activities, conducting routine field inspections of purchases, and performing related duties as assigned. The position requires a bachelor's degree specializing in Business, Public Administration, Finance, or a purchasing-related field, and five years of recent experience in purchasing-related activities involving commodities, services, and contracts; experience in a municipal agency is preferred. A valid Michigan driver's license is required. The employee must be able to work irregular hours, commute to DWSD facilities and work sites, and respond to after-hours emergencies and on-call requests. Work is performed in an office or plant environment with exposure to computer screens and noise. Employees must undergo alcohol and drug screening and are subject to a criminal background investigation. This is not a Civil Service position. DWSD does not honor reversion rights for internal candidates and cannot sponsor or assume sponsorship of an employment visa.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree specializing in Business, Public Administration, Finance, or a purchasing-related field.
Five years of recent experience in purchasing-related activities involving commodities, services, and contracts.
Valid Michigan Driver’s License.
Ability to work irregular hours, commute to DWSD facilities and work sites, and respond to after-hours emergencies and on-call requests.
Ability to work effectively in a team-based, flexible workforce with minimal supervision.
Knowledge of clerical and office methods, records, and equipment; purchasing principles; basic accounting; and data and statistical analysis.
Knowledge of purchasing and delivery practices and procedures, policies and ordinances, bids and contract analysis, contract law, and legal aspects of purchasing.
Knowledge of procurement classes, specifications review, receiving, inspection and testing methods, and supplier quality assurance functions.
Skill in communicating effectively with internal and external customers and vendors; compiling data and applying analytical methods; securing competitive bids and locating supply sources; managing suppliers; conducting price studies and market analyses; assisting with specifications; and using advanced technology.
Ability to use job-specific data management systems; analyze purchase orders and contracts; distribute information; negotiate conditions; and resolve conflicts with vendors and contractors.
Ability to communicate effectively verbally and in writing, understand and follow verbal and written instructions, and establish and maintain effective working relationships.
Ability to communicate with team members and other department units about processes, equipment, or potential problems; develop proficiency in unit-specific operations and software; and direct team activities or work as a team member.
Employees are required to undergo alcohol and drug screening and are subject to a criminal background investigation.
Applicants must be authorized to work for any employer in the United States; the department cannot sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment visa.

Nice To Haves

Purchasing-related experience in a municipal agency is preferred.

Responsibilities

Assist with assembling data for specifications and request-for-bid forms.
Prepare vendor and bid lists and maintain vendor and catalog lists.
Manage suppliers, bids, and change orders.
Conduct market analysis and price studies, and review specifications.
Review bid discrepancies with requisitioners and bidders.
Review requisitions and confer with customers about requirements, specifications, quality, and delivery.
Prepare requests for bids; solicit, receive, and analyze quotations for standard and non-standard items.
Award contracts and follow up and expedite activities to ensure required delivery.
Recommend approval of purchase requests based on applicable policies, ordinances, and directives.
Prepare and respond to correspondence regarding bids, requisitions, order cancellations, price changes, and adjustments.
Respond to vendor and supplier inquiries in person, by telephone, or in writing.
Review incoming purchase requisitions, purchase orders, and specifications for completeness and accuracy.
Arrange workflow and distribute assignments to expedite requisitions and bids.
Decide the disposition of questionable bids and approve or reject adjustments related to shortages, delays, inferior merchandise, or substitute materials.
Approve issuance of cancellation or correction notices on bids and purchase orders.
Direct the preparation and presentation of data on price trends, business conditions, and departmental purchasing.
Prepare procurement or salvage activity reports and correspondence.
Conduct routine field inspections of purchases.
Prepare simple graphs, charts, statistical records, and reports; index and file purchasing documents.
Perform clerical tasks incidental to purchasing work and purchasing or salvage sales work in an assigned area.
Assist in developing and reviewing specifications and operational manuals.
Represent the department at professional societies and public relations or educational activities, and disseminate procurement information to other City agencies.
Provide on-the-job training and direct project or team activities, or work as a team member.
Follow security and safety policies and procedures and use appropriate security and safety equipment.
Maintain regular and reliable attendance and perform related duties as assigned.