Finance - Purchasing Agent

La Vergne Tennessee • La Vergne, TN

11d • Onsite

About The Position

When you join the City of La Vergne as our Purchasing Agent, you're stepping into a role that directly supports every department in delivering exceptional public service. You'll help ensure taxpayer dollars are spent wisely while working alongside dedicated professionals who value integrity, collaboration, and service. We offer stability, competitive benefits, and opportunities to grow your career.

Under the direction of the Director of Finance, the Purchasing Agent oversees the procurement of goods and services for the City while ensuring compliance with applicable laws, policies, and ethical purchasing standards. This position partners with departments across the organization to secure high-quality products and services at the best value, manages contracts and procurement records, and serves as a trusted resource for responsible stewardship of public funds. This recruitment is being conducted to fill the Purchasing Agent position in accordance with the City Municipal Code and to ensure uninterrupted procurement operations.

Requirements

• High School Diploma or GED required.
• Associate’s degree in accounting, finance, or information technology and a minimum of Three (3) years of experience in municipal purchasing is required.
• A combination of education and related experience may be considered.
• Must possess a valid Tennessee Driver’s License or be able to obtain one in a reasonable period.
• Must be comfortable with current accounting software and other computer programs.
• Thorough knowledge of governmental purchasing principles, public procurement laws, contract administration, and ethical purchasing practices.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple procurement projects simultaneously, prioritize competing deadlines, and maintain exceptional attention to detail in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong technology aptitude with the ability to quickly learn and effectively utilize financial systems, procurement platforms, document management software (including Laserfiche), Ramp spend management software, Microsoft Office applications (particularly Excel), and other emerging technologies.
• Ability to analyze purchasing data, identify cost-saving opportunities, and make sound business recommendations based on facts, policy, and fiscal responsibility.
• Excellent organizational and project management skills with the ability to track numerous contracts, bids, purchase orders, and deadlines simultaneously.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills with the ability to clearly explain purchasing requirements and policies to employees, vendors, and elected officials.
• Demonstrated ability to exercise sound judgment, enforce purchasing policies consistently, and professionally challenge or deny requests that do not comply with applicable laws, regulations, budgets, or City policy.
• Ability to build collaborative working relationships while maintaining the independence, professionalism, and confidence necessary to uphold procurement standards—even when faced with competing priorities or pressure from department leadership.
• High degree of integrity, discretion, and commitment to transparency in the stewardship of public funds.

Nice To Haves

• Experience using Ramp spend management and procurement software, or comparable procurement, purchasing, or financial management systems, is preferred.
• Certified Professional Public Buyer (CPPB), Certified Public Procurement Officer (CPPO), or the ability to obtain certification within two (2) years of hire preferred.

Responsibilities

• Serves as the City's subject matter expert on procurement by developing, communicating, and training employees on purchasing policies, procedures, and best practices
• Prepares and codes purchase orders for requisitions
• Works with the Director of Finance to make sure all purchases are budgeted for and makes decisions that are in the best interest of the City
• Works with all department heads to organize services and purchase goods and supplies
• Reviews, approves, or rejects procurement requests to ensure compliance with City purchasing policies, budget requirements, and applicable procurement laws
• Reviews state contract bids for competitive pricing of items of similar requests
• Coordinates competitive procurement processes, including formal bids, proposals, quotations, public advertisements, bid openings, evaluations, and award recommendations
• Updates, maintains, and tracks city contracts in the accounting system
• Makes purchasing of goods and services recommendations to the Board of Mayor and Aldermen
• Evaluates and processes sole-source, cooperative purchasing, and other alternative procurement methods in accordance with City policy
• Responsible for public notification of bids
• Develops and maintains productive vendor relationships while resolving contract performance issues, procurement disputes, and compliance concerns
• Ensures City purchases maximize available tax exemptions and comply with all applicable purchasing requirements
• Administers inter-local cooperative purchasing agreements with other agencies
• Responsible for office machinery maintenance requests as well as contract agreements and lease purchases such as copiers, printers, postage machines, etc.
• Retains and scans all purchasing-related documents into Laserfiche and/or Ramp
• Maintains all Gov Deal auction items, including pickups, bills of sale, and keeping detailed spreadsheets, etc.
• Assists in year-end audit
• Bank deposit runs as needed
• Updates, maintains, and reviews the fuel card systems
• Updates, manages, and reviews uniform requests from employees
• Other duties as assigned

Benefits

• 100% Paid Insurance for employees and their families, including health, dental, vision, life, disability, and even LASIK coverage.
• Retirement Security with immediate participation in a 401(a) retirement plan featuring a 4.5% City contribution, plus a 457 retirement plan with matching contributions up to 3.5%.
• Generous Paid Time Off, including vacation, sick leave, personal leave, 12 paid holidays, and your birthday off.
• Longevity Pay recognizing your years of service, along with incentive pay for professional certifications such as CMFO.
• Professional Growth through training opportunities, continuing education, and hands-on experience in municipal procurement, contract administration, and public purchasing.
• Meaningful Work where your decisions help safeguard public resources, support City operations, and improve services for the La Vergne community.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: Associate degree