Buyer

Under the direction of the Director of Business Services, performs a variety of duties in support of district purchasing functions; researches best source of supply for quality and price; maintains communications with accounts payable and warehouse functions to resolve problems, queries, product warranty issues, and returns; communicates with vendors to clarify issues and determines status of orders; communicates with District personnel to notify of purchase order status and exchanges information; performs formal bids for goods and services; prepares and delivers notices to media and distributes bid packets to vendors; oversees bid openings, notifies bidders of awards and processes bid documents; prepares lists and reports for Board approval and information related to purchasing and revolving cash fund functions; and performs other related duties as may be assigned.

REPRESENTATIVE DUTIES

• Performs a variety of duties in support of District purchasing functions; receives and verifies accuracy and completeness of requisitions; obtain and clarify additional information as needed. (E)
• Researches best sources of supply for quality and price; maintains a variety of logs, catalog and vendor files and records related to the District's purchasing function; obtain telephone quotes for applicable goods and services. (E)
• Assigns proper codes and account numbers to purchasing documentation; assures the availability of adequate funding and processes for approval; ensures accuracy of requisitions and purchase order documents and maintains appropriate files and logs. (E)
• Distributes purchase order documents and places orders according to established procedures; communicates with vendors to clarify issues and determine status of orders; communicates with District personnel to notify of purchase order status and to exchange information. (E)
• Prepares lists and reports for Board approval and information related to purchasing and revolving cash fund functions; maintains communications with accounts payable and warehouse functions to resolve problems, queries, product warranty issues, and returns. (E)
• Prepares formal bids for goods and services; prepares and delivers notices to media and distributes bid packets to vendors; oversees bid openings, notifies bidders of award of bid and processes related bid documents. (E)
• Coordinates employee transportation and other programs as assigned. Coordinates the travel for student clubs and ASO to include reserving flights, hotels, vehicles, luggage accommodations, and arranging payments as needed.
• Performs other accounting-related duties as assigned, involving telecommunications, student services or other functions.
• Operates a variety of office equipment including a computer terminal, typewriter, calculator, copier, signature machine, fax machine, cash register and paper shredder.
• Performs related duties as may be assigned.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

Any combination equivalent to: graduation from high school supplemented by course work in accounting or purchasing, and two years increasingly responsible purchasing experience.

KNOWLEDGE OF:

• Purchasing policies and practices.
• Use and processing of requisitions, purchase orders, invoices and related documents. Local vendors and sources of supply.
• Record-keeping techniques.
• Telephone techniques and etiquette.
• Correct English usage, grammar, spelling, punctuation and vocabulary. Interpersonal skills using tact, patience and courtesy.
• Statistical typing and record-keeping.
• Operation of computer and related software.

ABILITY TO:

• Apply policies, practices and terminology used in purchasing supplies and materials for a school district.
• Prepare, review, verify and process purchasing forms and documents.
• Maintain vendor lists, catalogs and brochures.
• Obtain verbal and written price quotations.
• Purchase goods and services in compliance with specifications and financial constraints.
• Add, subtract, multiply and divide quickly and accurately.
• Maintain records and prepare reports.
• Understand and follow oral and written directions.
• Type at an acceptable rate of speed.
• Work independently with little direction.
• Operate a computer terminal, calculator and other office equipment.
• Communicate effectively both orally and in writing.
• Meet schedules and time lines.
• Establish and maintain cooperative and effective working relationships with others.

WORK DIRECTION, LEAD AND SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:

Not applicable – no permanent full-time staff to supervise.

CONTACTS:

Co-workers, other departmental staff, vendors, students and faculty.

PHYSICAL EFFORT:

Sitting for extended periods of time. Bending and reaching to retrieve and file records. Light lifting of boxes.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

Normal office environment.