Purchasing Agent

Veterans Health Administration • Bedford, MA

10d • Onsite

About The Position

This permanent, full-time position is in the Supply Chain Management department at the VA Bedford Healthcare System in Bedford, Massachusetts. The Purchasing Agent acquires supplies, services, and construction through purchase, rental, or lease, using delivery orders and small-purchase procedures. The role applies relevant federal and agency acquisition policies and procedures and knowledge of commercial supply sources and common business practices. It supports a broad range of programs by purchasing complex and specialized services, supplies, equipment, and systems. The position is scheduled Monday through Friday, 7:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.; ad hoc telework is available, but the position is not virtual. The work is performed in an office setting and involves ordinary workplace risks and discomforts. Some standing, sitting, walking, or bending may be required; no special physical demands are specified.

Requirements

• U.S. citizenship is required.
• Complete the application, questionnaire, and required online assessment.
• Males born after December 31, 1959, must be registered for Selective Service.
• Meet the GS-6 qualification requirement: at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-5 level in the Federal service, involving work related to the duties of a Purchasing Agent.
• Specialized experience includes clerical or assistant support for purchasing and procurement; procuring supplies and services; working with medical staff to determine procurement needs and priorities; resolving shipment, payment, or other procurement discrepancies; purchasing equipment, supplies, or services using a purchase card; and preparing reports from files and documents using automated supply or inventory systems and Microsoft Word and Excel.
• Current Federal employees and certain former Federal employees applying for reinstatement or under VEOA must meet the time-in-grade requirement: 52 weeks at GS-5 for a GS-6 position.
• Current and former Federal employees must submit applicable SF-50 documentation; applicants relying on time-in-grade must submit evidence demonstrating eligibility.
• Applicants must complete applicable background and security investigation and onboarding requirements.
• Participation in the VA seasonal influenza vaccination program is required for VA Health Care Personnel.
• Serve a one-year probationary period or two-year trial period, as applicable.
• Education cannot substitute for experience at this grade level.

Responsibilities

• Conduct purchases under the micro-purchase threshold and review and edit purchase requests.
• Resolve issues to ensure purchase requests and bills are processed accurately and in a timely manner; identify problems and determine corrective actions.
• Use federal and agency acquisition regulations to identify potential sources and other purchase-related information.
• Track obligations and commitments and monitor expenditures to support recurring budget forecasts and identify potential fraud, waste, or abuse based on procurement history and purchase trends.
• Procure supplies and services through purchase, rental, or lease to meet organizational needs.
• Develop unique selection criteria for each purchase.
• Prepare and issue contract modifications for changes in delivery schedules and send formal correspondence to customers, including inventory management specialists, service-line contacts, and contracting officers, for auditing documents, processing receiving reports, and payments.
• Conduct open-market research and sole-source small purchases for highly specialized medical items with critical product requirements.
• Serve as the first point of contact for medical staff and customers regarding procured items.
• Develop reports and spreadsheets and obtain, organize, file, and retrieve reports for briefings and presentations.
• Perform receptionist, timekeeping, record-keeping, and other miscellaneous duties in the medical facility.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Federal employee benefits package available to employees and their families; specific benefits depend on position type and eligibility.
• VA may approve credit for job-related non-federal experience or active-duty uniformed military service when determining annual leave accrual; approval is not guaranteed and must be requested before appointment.

What This Job Offers

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