Buyer II

AURA is hiring for a Buyer II. This position performs routine and complex buying functions. Responsible for reviewing requisitions, and buying materials, parts, supplies and equipment in a timely and cost-effective way. This position will also assist with Property Control duties for AURA’s locations in Hawai'i and Chile. Maintains the property listing and performs the annual property inventory inspection and reporting. Assists and advises AURA staff and operating personnel in all matters relating to property management.

Essential Functions:

• Processes routine to complex purchase requisitions, purchase orders and provide support to CAS Tucson and Hawaii locations.
• Follow up on orders to ensure that materials are shipped and delivered on promised dates.
• Assist requestors regarding logistics procedures, property administration requirements, and procurement practices.
• Develops and maintains relationships with key suppliers and internal customers.
• Provides assistance to users of the REQLESS requisitioning system and its interface with the Costpoint software.
• Maintain Property Inventory database, including tagging of all reportable property, and perform regular physical audits of tracked property.
• Identify and process all tracked property additions, disposals, and transfers, in coordination with AURA Property Administrator.
• Organize and perform property disposals.
• Submit all Federal property reports to the appropriate agency.
• Assist Logistics with arrangements for freight shipments and all foreign shipments. Obtain bids for the domestic and international transport of freight between AURA Centers.
• Recognize and arrange for proper handling, storage, and shipment of hazardous materials in coordination with staff at AURA’s Hawaiian locations.
• Receives inbound shipments, inspects, and logs items.
• Reports damaged items, submits claims, works with buyers, customers, and vendors for resolution.
• Processes material receipts, identifies products, verifies quantities, and validates invoices.
• Maintains up to date understanding of AURA-NSF Cooperative Agreements, Uniform Administrative Guidance (2 CFR 200), Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR) and other government regulations to which AURA and its centers are subject.
• Responsible for Safety within area of responsibility, and for reporting any unsafe condition to the appropriate Risk Management office.
• All AURA employees are responsible for the proper management and control of all AURA property within their work area, whether assigned to them or someone else. This responsibility includes reporting any known missing, stolen, or non-working property in their work area to their supervisor or the AURA Property Officer. 

Other Functions:

•  Other duties as assigned.

Required Education/Experience/Skills/Abilities:

• Bachelor's Degree in accounting, business, administration, or a related field. Experience performing professional buying functions may substitute for degree requirement.
• Five years’ experience in purchasing at the professional level and demonstrated experience with local supplier base.
• Ability to speak and write fluently in English, and to articulate specific points of view to internal and external customers.
• Knowledge of 2 CFR 200 and other government regulations to which AURA is subject.
• Ability to perform and accomplish detailed assignments with remote supervision.
• Must be imaginative, resourceful, and patient, have sound judgment, and be able to make independent decisions.

Physical Demands:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel and talk or hear.
• The employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; reach with hands and arms and stoop; kneel; crouch; or crawl.
• The employee must regularly lift and /or move up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus.
• Must possess - sufficient mobility, strength, or dexterity in both arms and hands and both legs to a) reach upward, sideways, downward to work with paper files; b) sufficient mobility and dexterity to utilize computer systems, fax machines, copiers, and other office machines.
• Must possess – 1) ability to read and understand instructions, drawings, safety guides, and other written materials necessary to perform job; 2) sufficient visual capacity to perform the applicable functions without assistance of visual aids other than eye contacts or eyeglasses; 3) sufficient spoken aural capacity to hear and understand instructions, warning bells, fire alarms, or shouted instructions without assistance of auditory aids other than a hearing aid; and 4) ability to impart information orally so that others understand and can respond appropriately.
• Some travel may be necessary between AURA’s Hawai’ian locations.

Veterans, disabled individuals or wounded warriors needing assistance with the employment process should request assistance at employment@aura-astronomy.org

The Association of Universities for Research in Astronomy (AURA) is a consortium of 47 US institutions and 3 international affiliates that operates world-class astronomical observatories for the National Science Foundation and NASA. AURA’s role is to establish, nurture, and promote public observatories and facilities that advance innovative astronomical research. In addition, AURA is deeply committed to public and educational outreach, and to diversity throughout the astronomical and scientific workforce. AURA carries out its role through its astronomical facilities.

AURA offers an excellent benefits package including paid time off and retirement plan contributions, competitive salary commensurate with experience, and a very attractive work environment. Details on benefits can be found at https://hr.aura-astronomy.org/employee-benefits-guide/

Consistent with the actions of the Biden Administration, as of 12 May 2023, AURA will no longer require COVID-19 vaccination of its employees in the U.S. AURA employees in the U.S. may be subject to COVID-19 vaccination requirements from other entities, such as host institutions or partner affiliations.

As a recipient of U.S. Government funding, AURA is considered a government contractor and is subject to Equal Employment Opportunity and Affirmative Action regulations. As an Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action Employer, AURA does not discriminate based on race, sex, color, age, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity/gender identity expression, lawful political affiliations, veteran status, disability, and/or any other legally protected status under applicable federal, state, and local equal opportunity laws. The statements below as well as the requests for self-identification are required pursuant to these regulations. We encourage your participation in meeting these federal reporting requirements which are included for protection and to assist us in our recordkeeping and reporting. Your responses are kept strictly confidential.