PURCHASING AGENT III - 42000059

State of Florida • Tallahassee, FL

3d

About The Position

The Purchasing Agent III is a full-time position in the Purchasing Section of the Bureau of General Services, Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. The incumbent provides primary support to purchasing professionals and independently processes state purchase orders for the department statewide, including solicitations.

The position reviews and approves requisitions, purchase orders, and reports for accuracy and compliance with departmental policies and procurement rules and statutes. It assists division personnel with finding suppliers and obtaining competitive price quotations; processes purchase-order amendments and cancellations; obtains required exceptional request, authorization, and certification letters; and communicates with vendors and agency personnel about purchasing activities. The role may sign departmental purchase orders when needed.

The incumbent prepares specifications, legal advertisements, single-source documents, and bid documents for formal bids; conducts bid openings; tabulates and evaluates bids; and recommends awards. The position also serves as backup security administrator for the procurement system, helps users resolve system issues, supports training, and assists with workflow planning and productivity. Other duties include phone coverage, receiving and distributing mail when required, and related work as assigned.

Requirements

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Four years of experience, including one year of professional experience in purchasing, competitive bidding, procurement, and/or project or contract management, plus three years of the described experience and/or professional or nonprofessional administrative experience.
• Skill in using a personal computer.
• Ability to use problem-solving techniques.
• Ability to communicate effectively verbally and in writing, using proper grammar and language skills.
• Ability to work independently and make routine decisions with minimal direction.
• Good writing skills.
• Attention to detail.
• Strong organizational skills.
• Ability to assist with developing competitive solicitations.
• Successful applicants must pass a background screening, including fingerprinting.

Responsibilities

• Screen and approve requisitions, purchase orders, and reports for accuracy and compliance with departmental policies, procedures, and procurement rules and statutes.
• Assist division personnel in locating sources of supply and following procedures for obtaining competitive price quotations.
• Process purchase-order amendment and cancellation requests.
• Ensure required exceptional request, authorization, and certification letters are obtained before purchase orders are issued.
• Communicate with vendors and agency personnel about purchasing activities and related matters.
• Sign departmental purchase orders when needed.
• Prepare bid specifications, legal advertisements, single-source documents, and bid documents for formal solicitations.
• Conduct bid openings, tabulate bids, assess responsiveness to specifications and conditions, and recommend awards.
• Serve as backup security administrator for the procurement system and report problems to the Help Desk when necessary.
• Assist departmental and purchasing personnel with procurement-system use and inquiries, and follow up on reported problems.
• Assist with training activities when required.
• Help maximize Purchasing Office workflow and productivity, and review and assist with planning and developing work assignments and procedures.
• Provide prompt and courteous phone coverage for the Purchasing Section and backup coverage for the Division of Administration when required.
• Receive and distribute incoming mail daily when required.
• Perform other related work as required.

Benefits

• Annual and sick leave benefits
• Nine paid holidays and one personal holiday each year
• State Group Insurance coverage options, including health, life, dental, vision, and supplemental insurance
• Retirement plan options with employer contributions
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• Tuition waivers

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: High school or GED