Senior Purchasing Agent

DPS•Denver, CO

3d•Onsite

About The Position

Acquires goods and services for various assigned groups and interprets District purchasing policies for staff and vendors. Develops good working relationships with vendors, District staff, outside agencies, and various community groups and individuals. Cultivates and promotes good community relations among community and school clientele. Monitors District purchasing policies and department procedures to ensure receipt of maximum benefit from expenditures for supplies, equipment, and services.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Business, Finance, Accounting, or related field or relevant work experience - Required
Five (5) years of experience in purchasing, including bid solicitation, technical specification writing and contract negotiation
At least one (1) year of purchasing experience for Denver Public Schools
Experience working with vendors, administrators, and school staff
Experience using relevant software and purchasing tools; working with commodities, budgets, and account codes; and implementing organizational purchasing and p-card policies and procedures
Lead for racial and educational excellence and work to dismantle systems of oppression and inequity in our community, along with believing in and supporting all students so they feel seen and heard with access to high quality education.
Live and work with a permanent home address in Colorado while working with us.
Have the ability with or without accommodations to meet the physical demands of the position.

Responsibilities

Develops and maintains effective vendor relationships between District personnel and suppliers to enhance current and future acquisitions
Researches and develops new sources of supplies and services based on District criteria of price, quality, quantity, and availability; researches and analyzes new products, market conditions, and trends that may affect pricing and availability of products and services
Organizes, attends, and may conduct tests and demonstrations of items to be purchased to determine quality; confers with suppliers and District officials regarding complaints about the quality of materials or equipment received; and collaborates with vendors and client groups in problem resolution
Receives, compiles, and awards bids/contracts, including complex acquisition and facilitation of evaluation committees as necessary; provides assistance in scope and technical specification writing
Prepares annual bids for continuing-price contracts with other offices and/or joint contracts
Publishes product testing results, bid prices, specifications, and delivery considerations to District staff
Participates in the training, delegating of work, and supervision of less-experienced purchasing agents
Handles or is privy to matters related to purchasing that are confidential in nature and used in negotiations with internal and external stakeholders, including, but not limited to, private relationships, contracts, internal lawsuits/litigations, and internal audit requests