BUYER

Position Summary

The Buyer functions as procurement agent for the agency. The position is assigned to Arkansas Rehabilitation Services Division, Finance Department, Procurement Unit. The position is responsible for processing the procurement of supplies, materials, and equipment as well as assisting with professional and general contracts. This position is governed by state and federal laws and agency/institution policy.

Education and Professional Work Experience

Minimum Qualifications

The formal education equivalent of a high school diploma; plus, five years of experience in a purchasing or merchandising environment or a related field.

Preferred Qualification

• Knowledge of state purchasing laws and regulations.
• Prior State of Arkansas employment preferred.
• Ability to prepare written documents and reports.
• Prior knowledge of state contracts preferred.
• Must have experience with computers and computer software such as Microsoft Office (Outlook, Excel, and Word).
• Experience with AASIS Software or SAP-based software preferred.
• Ability to research and draft clear, concise, and competitive purchasing specifications and evaluate product acceptability and/or quality.
• Ability to perform basic mathematical computations and prepare and update spreadsheets routinely.
• Ability to maintain accurate and systematic procurement records.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with purchasing agents/officials, vendors, and manufacturers.
• Ability to communicate effectively verbally and in writing.
  
  

Knowledge, Skills, And Abilities

• Knowledge of purchasing principles, procedures, and methods.
• Knowledge of state and university purchasing laws and regulations.
• Knowledge of market conditions and resources in an assigned field.
• Ability to research and draft clear, concise, and competitive purchasing specifications and evaluate product acceptability and/or quality.
• Ability to perform basic mathematical computations.
• Ability to maintain accurate and systematic procurement records.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with purchasing agents/officials, vendors, and manufacturers.
  
  

Job Responsibilities and Expected Results

• Authorizes payment of invoices (after receiving required approval) or return of merchandise.
• Interviews and works closely with vendors to obtain and develop desired products. Negotiate prices, discount terms, and transportation arrangements for merchandise.
• Examines, selects, orders, and purchases merchandise at most favorable price consistent with quality, quantity, specification requirements, and other factors.
• May be called upon to act as backup to Fiscal Support Analyst.
• Maintains control of agency purchasing card for making small purchases when advantageous to do so.
• Maintains control of agency travel card for making agency travel purchases.
• Assist with technical aspects of contract submission.
• Create desk reference to be placed on P:drive.
• Provide shared services to Division of Services for the Blind.
• Perform other duties as assigned.
  
  

Position Information

Class Code: V014C

Grade: GS05

FLSA Status: NON-EXEMPT

Salary Range: $32,405.00 - $46,987.00

Summary

The Buyer is responsible for processing the procurement of supplies, materials, and equipment. This position is governed by state and federal laws and agency/institution policy.

Functions

Reviews purchase requests to determine need for term contracts, develops new contracts and/or prepares history sheet and product specifications, determines appropriate list of bidders for product, and notifies potential bidders. Analyzes and monitors sales records, trends, and economic conditions to anticipate consumer buying patterns, and determines inventory needed. Receives and evaluates bids to determine lowest bid and delivery requirements within cost limits, and awards bid. Authorizes payment of invoices or return of merchandise. Interviews and works closely with vendors to obtain and develop desired products. Negotiate prices, discount terms, and transportation arrangements for merchandise. Prepares specifications for Request for Quotation, Request for Proposal, and Request for Qualifications. Examines, selects, orders, and purchases merchandise at most favorable price consistent with quality, quantity, specification requirements, and other factors. Performs other duties as assigned.

Dimensions

None

Knowledge, Skills And Abilities

Knowledge of purchasing principles, procedures, and methods. Knowledge of state and university purchasing laws and regulations. Knowledge of market conditions and resources in an assigned field. Ability to research and draft clear, concise, and competitive purchasing specifications and evaluate product acceptability and/or quality. Ability to perform basic mathematical computations. Ability to maintain accurate and systematic procurement records. Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with purchasing agents/officials, vendors, and manufacturers.

Minimum Qualifications

The formal education equivalent of a high school diploma; plus five years of experience in merchandising or a related field, including one year in purchasing. Additional requirements determined by the agency for recruiting purposes require review and approval by the Office of Personnel Management. OTHER JOB RELATED EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE MAY BE SUBSTITUTED FOR ALL OR PART OF THESE BASIC REQUIREMENTS, EXCEPT FOR CERTIFICATION OR LICENSURE REQUIREMENTS, UPON APPROVAL OF THE QUALIFICATIONS REVIEW COMMITTEE.

Licenses

None