General Description of Class
The BUYER 1, located in a centralized purchasing department or large department of a college or university, procures quality services and supplies for the college or university at the best possible price.
Distinguishing Features
This is the first of a three-level series and is distinguished from the higher levels by its emphasis on more routine purchasing requests, involving less technical or specialized commodities, by the absence of writing complex bids and specifications, and by working under closer supervision.
Duties and Responsibilities
- Purchasing. Typical tasks: analyzes and evaluates purchase requisitions submitted by the departments for accuracy; processes requisitions according to agency and Department of General Services rules and regulations; assists departments in determining specifications, quantities, product availability and sources of supply; locates, evaluates and selects sources of supply; maintains records of product lines, availability, price, purchase terms, and vendor performance; places purchase orders with vendors; maintains catalog and price lists and price agreements; maintains purchasing policy and procedures manual.
- Bid Development and Recording. Typical tasks: assists departments in determining specifications; if dollar amount of items to be purchased is within delegated authority given by General Services, obtains competitive bids by telephone or mail; evaluates bid responses for compliance to specifications; awards bids to lowest and most suitable bidder; if dollar amount exceeds delegated authority, submits specifications to General Services for bidding and coordinates department contact with General Services.
- Problem-Solving. Typical tasks: resolves shipping, receiving and billing discrepancies with users/vendors; negotiates returns and allowances; expedites orders, reschedules deliveries, cancels, and renegotiates orders.
Relationships with Others
Employees in this class are in regular telephone and personal contact with vendors to place purchase orders, receive competitive bids, and resolve billing problems; with departmental employees to determine purchasing need/requirements and with Department of General Services to obtain information about bids and purchasing procedures.
Supervision Received
Employees in this class receive general supervision from an administrative superior through a random audit of purchase orders for completeness and accuracy. Work performed by employees in this class must also comply with State and Federal purchasing regulations, agency buyers handbook, General Services regulations and policies, and agency purchasing procedures.
Minimum Qualifications
- One year of full-time purchasing experience which must include using purchasing practices, procedures, and techniques such as determining specifications, placing purchase orders, and processing requisitions; AND
- a Bachelor's degree in Business Administration or a closely-related field or three more years of relevant experience.