Purchasing Jobs in Cary, NC

Job Title: Buyer I

Location: Rock Quarry Rd. Office Complex, Raleigh, NC

Pay Grade: Noncertified Grade 26

FLSA Status: Nonexempt

Work Week Schedule: Monday-Friday (occasional evenings or weekends)

Position Purpose:

Performs purchasing work in order to procure goods and services for Wake County Public Schools (WCPSS) in accordance with the North Carolina General Statutes and WCPSS procedures. Serves as a liaison between vendors and the organization, maintaining current knowledge of materials and price lists for use when ordering materials, equipment, supplies, etc.

Minimum Qualifications:

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs):

• Considerable knowledge of Microsoft Office, specifically Word and Excel; Google Docs;
• Working knowledge of public sector purchasing and procurement principles, practices, and procedures;
• Working knowledge of state rules, regulations, and laws regarding purchasing;
• Working knowledge of contract formation and execution in support of materials, supplies, and service purchases;
• Working knowledge of Enterprise resource systems (i.e.: Oracle);
• Effective problem solving skills;
• Ability to communicate clearly and concisely both in oral and written form using a variety of communication techniques and tools to ensure the appropriate flow of information, collaborative efforts, and feedback;
• Ability to work as a team member;
• Ability to work independently and without close supervision;
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with school system staff, external vendors/agencies, and the public.

Education, Training, and Experience:

• Associates degree in business or related field;
• Two years of experience in making Purchasing decisions for organizations with diverse needs;
• Other combinations of applicable education, training, and experience which provide the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to perform effectively in the position may be considered.

Certification and License Requirements:

None

Preferred Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in business or related field;
• Certified Purchasing Manager (CPM), Certified Professional Supply Manager (CPSM), or Certified Local Governmental Purchasing Officer (CLGPO) or other Purchasing certification.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Performs all tasks associated with the Purchasing cycle, in support of all schools and departments, for commodities and categories assigned; manages the most complex commodities with the Purchasing Department. This includes Purchase requisition conversion, change orders, amendments, vendor updates, requests for quotes, expediting, problem resolution, tracking and reporting of established metrics (i.e.: savings, Historically Underutilized Businesses (HUB)/Minority Business Enterprise (MBE).
• Assists Purchasing administrators with year-end purchase order close out and inventories.
• Participates in discussions/training for Oracle implementation and e-procurement initiatives.
• Provides guidance and assistance to school system employees making requests, providing options and determinations for the most beneficial selection.
• Establishes market conditions through competitive bidding when appropriate.
• Networks and builds strong supplier relationships between WCPSS and vendors.
• Reviews all documentation and data to ensure all outcomes are correctly reflected.
• Gains expertise in assigned portfolio items for departmental & system-wide training, as required.
• Creates and maintains standard and custom reports to track historically valuable information and adherence to established metrics (i.e.: cost savings).
• Performs audits and supplier evaluations, as required.
• Performs other duties, as assigned.

Work Environment/Physical Requirements:

This position operates in a professional office environment. This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, scanners, and copiers. The position, at times, must be able to come into direct contact with school system staff, staff members of external agencies, and the community. Work is considered light physical work, requiring the exertion of up to ten pounds of force.

Effective Date: 10/2023

Disclaimer: The above statements are intended to describe the general purpose and responsibilities assigned to this position. They are not intended to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, and skills required by the employees assigned to this position. This description may be revised by HR and approved at any time.