Buyer

at  San Jacinto River Authority

COMPANY SUMMARY

The SJRA is a public entity whose mission is to develop, conserve, and protect the water resources of the San Jacinto River basin. Its primary purpose is to implement long-term, regional projects related to water supply and water quality. SJRA delivers raw water to both municipal and industrial consumers and provides water treatment and wastewater services through the ownership, operation, and maintenance of infrastructure including reservoirs, groundwater wells, surface water and wastewater treatment plants, pump stations, lift stations, and miles of open channel and conveyance systems.

POSITION SUMMARY

The Buyer, under general supervision, coordinates the strategic procurement activities of obtaining and distributing goods, materials, equipment, and services in compliance with applicable state and federal public procurement laws, rules, regulations and established San Jacinto River Authority policies and procedures. with all applicable state laws and regulations, as well as Authority policy.

• Coordinates all activities related to procurement of materials, parts, equipment, services and supplies beginning with intent to purchase through delivery.
• Analyzes the requirements of the materials, parts, equipment, services and supplies, including preliminary specifications, preferred supplier, and date commodity is needed.
• May develop solicitations, Request for Qualifications (RFQs), Competitive Sealed Proposals (CSPs); Requests for Proposals (RFPs); coordinates the solicitation process from initiation to contract award; leads and/or supports contract negotiations to achieve best overall value to the Authority.
• Assists division/department users as needed in the formulation of specifications, securing bids and conducting public pre-bids and bid openings.
• Reviews, verifies, and approves purchase requests; reviews requisitions for consistency with established policies and procedures.
• Secures applicable documentation for contracts for capital improvements projects, professional services, and consulting services as they are generated and developed from the bidding process.
• Trains users on procurement computer applications as related to purchasing and inventory. Monitors and prepares purchase orders from written and online purchase requests.
• Compiles division requests for similar products and services and recommends, analyzes, reviews, and bids annual blanket contracts and price agreements; renews annual price agreements in a timely manner.
• Oversees the timely control of contracts, work orders, change orders, amendments, and other documents to ensure accurate retention of records.
• Assists in monitoring and disposal of surplus, obsolete, and salvageable property.
• Informs the Procurement Manager and relevant divisions/departments on market factors and economic trends that could impact the agency’s procurement activities; uses analytical and statistical techniques to collect data; applies forecasting techniques and cost/benefit analyses on future procurements.
• Assists and supports the Procurement Manager with continually refining the agency’s procurement policy, procedures, goals, solicitation templates, contract templates, processes, etc. to create greater ease for divisions/departments with all procurement functions within the Authority.
• Advises and consults with division/department representatives on procurement matters and assists in resolving issues, confers with end-users to obtain required information and resolve questions regarding purchase requirements; assists with drafting concise, comprehensive, and accurate product and service descriptions for inclusion within specifications, scope of work, purchase orders, and contracts/agreements for services.
• Develops and maintains professional working relationships with vendors, the public, and Authority employees; provides procurement training to divisions/departments.
• Continuously monitors and evaluates the efficiency and effectiveness of the procurement department’s service delivery, policies and procedures; identifies and recommends opportunities for improvement and implements changes; participates in long-term planning to assess future procurement needs; participates in the development, revision and implementation of procedures.
• Leads special projects, as assigned to meet the Procurement Department’s needs, goals and objectives.

REQUIREMENTS

• Associate’s degree in business is required.
• Bachelor’s degree in business is preferred.
• An equivalent combination of education and experience considered.
• At least 3 years of experience in either public or private sector purchasing.
• Knowledge of purchasing and warehousing principles, practices and methods, product descriptions and specifications, material markets, and price trends is required.
• Must have experience with creating and managing databases; creating and managing detailed technical spreadsheets, charts, and graphs in Microsoft Excel; proficiently composing correspondence, forms, templates, and other documents using Microsoft Word; and creating professional presentations in Microsoft PowerPoint.
• Preferred experience with Adobe and filing documents and correspondences in electronic document storage software such as SharePoint.
• CTCD, CTCM, or CPPB or other procurement certifications from an accredited organization and association is preferred.
• Texas Driver’s license with an insurable driving record is required.

Please refer the Job description for details