Buyer

at  City of Edmonton

Job Number: 50751
Reporting to the Procurement Manager, Buyers are professionals that perform the full-cycle of procurement activities for low to intermediate complexity procurements. Buyers are assigned activities within the Procurement Manager’s business partner portfolio and are empowered to make commitments for the procurement of goods and services within their delegated concurrence.
Buyers exercise judgment, diplomacy, and confidentiality with respect to procurement processes, ensuring integrity and best value for the City. Buyers participate in procurement planning; participate in the development of a variety of RFx; and perform purchasing activities. Buyer may be involved in aspects of more complex procurements with regular oversight from a senior supporting role.

SKILLS REQUIRED FOR SUCCESS:

• Thorough knowledge and understanding of procurement practices, policies, procedures, tender and contract law, trade agreements and various procurement strategies
• Knowledge and understanding of RFx methods and approaches
• Knowledge of category management and strategic sourcing methodologies and approaches
• Knowledge of Google Suite Applications (Gmail, Sheets, Docs, Slides) and Microsoft Office (Word, Excel)
• Excellent computer skills; ability to learn, utilize, and update various databases, programs and ERP systems such as SAP and Oracle
• Excellent organization and time management skills
• Excellent listening, verbal, and written communication skills
• Excellent customer service skills
• Strong analytical, critical thinking, decision making, and problem solving skills
• Strong research skills
• Ability to determine appropriate procurement and sourcing strategies
• Ability to plan and lead contract negotiation processes
• Ability to lead and facilitate meetings with business partners and suppliers
• Ability to identify risks and mitigation strategies in procurement processes
• Ability to work highly independent; ability to take initiative and be resourceful
• Ability to identify where non-standard processes should apply; ability to make effective recommendations and seek approval for action as required
• Ability to perform work with a high degree of accuracy and completeness of documentation
• Ability to adapt to rapidly changing situations and conflicting priorities while maintaining a high degree of professionalism
• Ability to work effectively in a team environment
• Ability to develop and maintain effective and professional working relationships with colleagues, business partners and suppliers
• Ability to consider impact to other organizations and business units

Qualifications:

• High School Diploma AND a Supply Management Training (SMT) Diploma from the Supply Chain Management Association (SCMA) or equivalent. A minimum of four (4) years’ diversified procurement, contract management, and/or supply chain management experience.OR
• A minimum completion of level 2 towards the SCMP designation from the SCMA or two-year post-secondary diploma (or higher) in public administration, public policy, supply chain, business, procurement, or related field AND a minimum of four (4) years’ directly related work experience performing a procurement/contract management/supply chain role.OR
• High School Diploma AND a minimum of six (6) years’ directly related work experience performing a procurement/contract management/supply chain rol

• Reviews and/or develops specifications, requirements, description and scope of work, and recommends improvements to business partners
• Works with business partners to compose various RFx documents of a low to intermediate complexity and risk and manages the process; obtains approval of RFx plan and documents from Senior Buyers or Procurement Managers, where required
• Issues and manages RFx including development and issue of addenda; deals with bidder requests for clarifications and any other issues
• Works with business partners to develop evaluation plan
• Receives and reviews submissions for compliance; prepares bid summary and evaluation spreadsheets; performs analysis of pricing and financial information completed in conjunction with or on behalf of the Senior Buyer
• Assists with facilitation of RFx evaluation including consensus scoring, presentations, interviews, demonstrations, and negotiations
• Conducts lower risk negotiations
• Works with business partner to develop contract management plan and contract negotiation plan
• Provides standard advice to business partners on procurement procedures, methods, and approaches
• Advises business partners on procurement principles and practices, trade agreements, and contract/tender law; escalates inquiries to Senior Buyer, as required
• Collaborates and facilitates with business partners and Procurement staff to develop appropriate sourcing strategies for low to intermediate complexity and risk procurements including non-competitive, invitational, and competitive processes
• Reviews assigned sourcing requests and documentation for completeness and action; requests/determines if additional information needed
• Consults or works in conjunction with other subject matter experts such as Procurement, Law, Information Technology, and Finance professionals
• Other related responsibilities

Qualifications:

• High School Diploma AND a Supply Management Training (SMT) Diploma from the Supply Chain Management Association (SCMA) or equivalent. A minimum of four (4) years’ diversified procurement, contract management, and/or supply chain management experience.OR
• A minimum completion of level 2 towards the SCMP designation from the SCMA or two-year post-secondary diploma (or higher) in public administration, public policy, supply chain, business, procurement, or related field AND a minimum of four (4) years’ directly related work experience performing a procurement/contract management/supply chain role.OR
• High School Diploma AND a minimum of six (6) years’ directly related work experience performing a procurement/contract management/supply chain role