Buyer Specialist Lead

Buyer Specialist Lead

Job Description
Innovation allows an organization to make the most of every dollar spent. At Virginia’s Community Colleges System (VCCS), our compelling mission, our ambitious strategic plan and our fiscal realities challenge us to ensure that community college resources are maximized for the priority of student success and credential completion.

Nestled between the Blue Ridge and Appalachian Mountains, the VCCS Shared Services Center is centrally located to all 23 colleges in the VCCS, 43 miles from Blacksburg, VA, and a four hour drive from Washington, D.C. A vital part of the ever-growing Roanoke Valley, Daleville is a haven for tourists and residents alike. Within an hour’s drive are the breathtaking Smith Mountain Lake, world-famous Appalachian Trail, and many other outdoor activities, including golfing, biking, and hiking. The thriving Historic City Market in downtown Roanoke and the Daleville Town Center and Performance Pavilion also host farmers markets, community and cultural events, and festivals throughout the year.

The VCCS Shared Services Center is an innovation strategy to advance the priority of student success, reduce the administrative burden on individual colleges, consolidate transaction-based functions, create economies of scale and improve backroom process efficiency. This work allows the VCCS to better focus resources on the students – helping them start their educational journeys, persist, and succeed.

Under the direction of the Purchasing Supervisor the Lead Buyer Specialist will guide a team of about 10 Buyer Specialists serving an assigned grouping of colleges arranged region while performing transactional purchases for a wide variety of goods and services for the 23 VCCS colleges, the System Office and the Shared Services Center.

The position:

• Receives demand signals and purchases goods and services up to the small purchase threshold
• Ensures that all purchases are performed accurately, timely and in accordance with applicable state laws & policies and VCCS policies
• Employs best business practices to continuously improve performance, compliance, efficiency and effectiveness
• Acts as a lead for respective region to assign workload and act as an elevation point

KSA's/Minimum Qualifications

KSA’s:

• Ability to execute simple to moderately complex purchases of supplies, equipment, and services
• Ability to proficiently use automated procurement systems (e-procurement) to review and process requisitions through to a purchase order and acknowledgment
• Ability to analyze quotes/, bids and make appropriate purchasing decisions
• Ability to fully manage procurement process for assignments from the need through the purchase order, including order status and invoicing discrepancies
• Ability to exercise sound judgment, solve problems, and attend to detail in a fast pace, team oriented and customer service oriented environment
• Ability to provide exceptional customer service to internal and external customers in a professional manner
• Ability to work effectively with a wide range of constituencies in a diverse community
• Ability to complete assignments following procedures & processes within the policies & laws
• Ability to express thoughts clearly both verbally and in writing
• Ability to maintain confidentiality
• Ability to use the computer hardware and software required, including proficiency in MS Office
• Ability to lead, assign and act as an elevation point of daily operational tasks to maximize efficiency on their respective teams
• Ability to communicate effectively with leadership regarding progress and support in their respective areas

Minimum Qualifications:

• Experience in a customer service environment
• Current Virginia Contracting Associate (VCA) certification or ability to obtain within one year of hire; see https://vip.dgs.virginia.gov/ for more information on VCA certification

Additional Considerations:

• Procurement experience in higher education and/or state government.
• Professional procurement certification(s): Virginia Contracting Officer (VCO), Certified Public Procurement Buyer (CPPB), Certified E-Procurement Professional (CEPP) or other nationally recognized procurement certification
• Knowledge of governmental procurement principles and ability to follow procurement policy and standard operating procedures
• Working knowledge of Commonwealth of Virginia & VCCS procurement policies (VPPA, APSPM, etc.)
• Working knowledge of eVA (state procurement system) and AIS/PeopleSoft

Special Instructions to Applicants
In support of the Commonwealth’s commitment to inclusion, we are encouraging individuals with disabilities to apply through the Commonwealth Alternative Hiring Process. To be considered for this opportunity, applicants will need to provide their Certificate of Disability (COD) provided by a Certified Rehabilitation Counselor within the Department for Aging & Rehabilitative Services (DARS). Veterans are encouraged to answer Veteran status questions and submit their disability documentation, if applicable, to DARS to get their Certificate of Disability. If you need to get a Certificate of Disability, use this link: https://www.dars.virginia.gov/drs/cpid/PWContact.aspx, or call DARS at 800- 552-5019.

Link for posting: https://jobs.vccs.edu/postings/69280

Additional Information
Hybrid telework available!

Sponsorship will not be offered for this position.

The selected candidate’s offer is contingent upon the successful completion of a criminal background investigation, which may include: fingerprint checks, local agency checks, employment verification, verification of education, credit checks (relevant to employment). Additionally, selected candidates may be required to complete the Commonwealth’s Statement of Economic Interest. For more information, please follow this link: http://ethics.dls.virginia.gov/

The Virginia Community College System, an EEO employer, welcomes applications from people of all backgrounds and recognizes the benefits of a diverse workforce. Therefore, the VCCS is committed to providing a work environment free of discrimination and harassment. Employment decisions are based on business needs, job requirements and individual qualifications. We prohibit discrimination and harassment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, sexual orientation, mental or physical disabilities, political affiliation, veteran status, gender identity, or other non-merit factors.

The VCCS is an EOE and Affirmative Action Employer. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Acts (ADA and ADAAA), VCCS will provide, if requested, reasonable accommodation to applicants in need of access to the application, interviewing and selection processes.

VCCS uses E-Verify to check employee eligibility to work in the United States. You will be required to complete an I-9 form and provide documentation of your identity for employment purposes.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $50,000.00 - $59,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• Monday to Friday

Work Location: In person