Senior Purchasing Agent
JOB SUMMARY:
Under direction of an assistant director or department head, works independently and performs professional work of advanced difficulty in the technical and administrative functions of the purchasing activities of the City including purchasing and contract administration. The incumbent participates in and supervises purchasing professionals involved in procuring and coordinating the procurement of architectural and engineering services, construction, technology, supplies, and professional services required by various departments in accordance with all applicable federal, state and local laws, ordinances, rules and regulations, policies and procedures. Acquisition of all types of professional services such as architectural, engineering, landscape architectural, or registered surveyor and mapper services in accordance with "Consultants' Competitive Negotiation Act" (CCNA) and other applicable Chapters of FS 287 and FS 255.
ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Prepare highly technical solicitation and contract documents containing complex specifications, including all related research and value analysis.
- Prepare and analyze competitive sealed bids, competitive sealed proposals, requests for quotations and requests for qualifications, and other solicitation documents that result in contract types such as, Construction Manager at Risk, Construction Manager, Design Build and Owners' Representative.
- Identify and notify potential sources.
- Conduct pre-bid and pre-proposal conferences.
- Coordinate and supervise activities of evaluation committees.
- Recommend lowest responsive, responsible bidder on ITB's, most advantageous offer on RFP's and most qualified for architects/engineers.
- Edit requisitions and confer with departments regarding requirements, specifications, quantity, quality and delivery. Recommend alternatives that would result in greater value.
- Confer with consultants, contractors and suppliers in order to acquaint them with procurement policies and procedures and to obtain information on required products and services.
- Negotiate with consultants and contractors regarding specifications, scope of work, prices, terms and conditions.
- Perform contract administration, including liaison between suppliers and departments, compliance with contract terms and conditions, compliance with grant requirements, negotiation of contract amendments, extensions and change orders. Analyze cost and price data from suppliers. Perform contract audits when required.
- Review and execute contracts, purchase orders, change orders and other documents within delegated authority.
- Maintain the integrity of the public procurement process.
- Analyze current procurement activities and recommend improvements through more efficient procurement methods, e-procurement, privatization, quantity discounts, standardization, value analysis or cooperative purchasing.
- Provide guidance and assistance to other employees, as required.
- Assigns, reviews and supervises the work of procurement staff.
- Makes recommendations regarding hiring, discipline and promotion of subordinates; authorizes leave and overtime; evaluates and rates employee performance.
- Research market sources and suppliers to locate and ensure most cost effective and competitive pricing for the purchase of supplies and services.
- Engage in procurement planning with client departments. Routinely meet and communicate with client departments in order to identify and provide high quality service to meet client service delivery requirements on a timely basis. Provide accurate, complete and up-to-date information in a courteous, efficient and timely manner.
- Effectively communicate purchasing policies and procedures to all personnel and interpret said policies and procedures as necessary.
- Maintain individual workload statistics.
- Prepare and maintain accurate records and documentation on all solicitations, responses, purchases, contracts, correspondence and related follow-up.
- Perform all functions and responsibilities according to the applicable County Code of Ethics and Florida State Statutes 112.313.
- Issues all advertisements, announcements and notifications for procurements in accordance with all applicable federal, state and local laws, ordinances, rules and regulations, policies and procedures.
- Recommends, updates, adheres to and disseminates best practices and procedures manuals to those involved in the procurement process.
- Must effectively and positively represent the City in delivering and performing work with colleagues and clients, irrespective of gender, race, religion, age, disability, political affiliation or belief, or sexual orientation.
- Must establish and maintain effective and professional relationships with work colleagues, supervisors and managers.
- Performs related work as required for this position description only.
EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE:
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential function satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Required:
Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in Business Administration, Public Administration, Business Law, Finance, Supply Management, or closely related field. Master's degree in a closely related field desirable. Minimum five (5) years' progressively responsible experience in contract administration, business administration, procurement or purchasing of goods and services or administration contracts, preferably in local government agency are required. Certified Public Procurement Officer (CPPO), Certified Professional Public Buyer (CPPB), Certified Professional in Supply Management (CPSM), and/or Certified Purchasing Manager (C.P.M.) preferred or the ability to obtain one of the above certifications, except C.P.M., within two (2) years of hire. Ability to prepare written and oral reports and presentations. Strong proficiency with PC's, word processing and spreadsheet applications.
Additional education and experience or an equivalent combination of training and experience may be substituted for the above requirements.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ABILITIES:
- Considerable knowledge of business practices related to purchasing.
- Considerable knowledge of contract documents, solicitation methods and contract administration related to procurement.
- Good knowledge of laws, policies and procedures governing public procurement. Good knowledge of contract law.
- Good knowledge of mathematics to perform computations and collect statistics for basic cost and price analysis.
- Good knowledge of infrastructure project delivery methods, including design-bid-build, design-build, construction manager-at-risk, and job order contracts.
- Some knowledge of cost accounting as it relates to price and cost analysis.
- Considerable skill in researching and preparing highly complex specifications, solicitations and contract documents.
- Considerable skill in negotiating contracts.
- Working skill in project management. Working skill with computers, including automated purchasing systems and common office software and productivity tools.
- Ability to read, interpret, explain and properly apply rules, regulations, laws, policies and procedures.
- Ability to develop effective and cooperative working relationships with other departments, employees, suppliers and other public agencies.
- Ability to use judgment and initiative in making recommendations and resolving problems that are highly complex and sensitive in nature.
- Ability to effectively communicate orally and in writing, including the ability to convey complex and technical subjects in a clear, concise and positive manner.
- Ability to establish schedules and to complete projects on a timely basis.
- Ability to successfully deal with all persons in a fair and equitable manner.
- Ability to make difficult decisions and award contracts impartially and objectively.
- Possess complete integrity and a high sense of personal and professional ethics.
- Ability to consistently demonstrate strong interpersonal and customer relations skills.
- Strong proficiency with PC's, word processing and spreadsheet applications.
- Ability to manage and prioritize routine, specialized and complex assignments and problems utilizing knowledge acquired through prior education, training, and experience.
- Ability to communicate effectively in oral and written form.
- Ability to adapt to an evolving and continually improving environment.
- Ability to establish and maintain effective and professional relationships with work colleagues, supervisors, managers and the public.
- Demonstrate ability to utilize personal computer and office software such as MS Word, MS Excel and electronic mail.