Purchasing Agent

Job Description
**Pay can be
commensurate with qualifications and experience**
Veterans' Preference Applies
EEO Statement
The City of Delray Beach does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age or disability,marital status, family status or sexual orientation in employment or the provision of services.
Non-Smoking
The City of Delray Beach is a Non-Tobacco Workplace
. The City will not consider applicants who have used tobacco ornicotine products for a period of at least three months prior to application for employment. The definition of "tobacco ornicotine products" includes but is not limited to, cigarettes, cigars, chewing tobacco, pipes, snuff, e-cigarettes andnicotine patches or gum.
Under supervised direction, work independently and perform professional work in the technical and administrativefunctions of the purchasing activities of the City including purchasing and contract administration. This position isresponsible for procuring or coordinating the procurement of architectural and engineering services, construction,technology, supplies, and professional services required by various departments in accordance with all applicablefederal, state and local laws, ordinances, rules and regulations, policies and procedures. Direction is received fromthe Chief Procurement Officer or designee.
Essential Job Duties
The following duties are normal for this position. The omission of specific statements of duties does not excludethem from the classification if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment for this classification. Otherduties may be required and assigned.

Prepare technical specifications, contracts and solicitation documents, including all related research and valueanalysis.
Prepare and analyze competitive sealed bids, competitive sealed proposals, requests for quotations and requestsfor statements of qualifications.
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 IFB's, most advantageous offer on RFP's and most qualifiedfor architects/engineers.
Edit requisitions and confer with departments regarding requirements, specifications, quantity, quality anddelivery. Recommend alternatives that would result in greater value.
Confer with consultants, contractors and suppliers in order to acquaint them with procurement policies andprocedures 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 contractterms and conditions, compliance with grant requirements, negotiation of contract amendments, extensions andchange orders. Analyze cost and price data from vendors. 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 procurementmethods, e-procurement, privatization, quantity discounts, standardization, value analysis or cooperativepurchasing.
Provide guidance and assistance to other employees, as required.
Research market sources and suppliers to locate and ensure most cost effective and competitive pricing for thepurchase of supplies and services.
Engage in procurement planning with client departments. Routinely meet and communicate with clientdepartments in order to identify and provide high quality service to meet client service delivery requirements on atimely 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 andprocedures 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 Palm Beach County Code of Ethics and Florida StateStatutes 112.313.
Perform other related duties as required.
Minimum Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree (preferred) or associate degree from an accredited college or university in Public orBusiness Administration or closely related field.
Minimum two (2) years of experience in purchasing of goods and services and/or administration of contracts,preferably in a government agency.
Certified Professional Public Buyer (CPPB) and/or NIGP Certified Procurement Professional (NIGP-CPP), or theability to obtain the certifications within three (3) years of hire.
Demonstrate ability to utilize personal computer and office software such as MS Word, MS Excel andelectronic mail.
Construction procurement experience desired
Ability to prepare written and oral reports and presentations. Strong proficiency with PC's, word processing andspreadsheet applications. Ability to manage and prioritize routine and specialized assignments utilizing knowledgeacquired 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. Demonstrate ability to utilize personal computerand office software such as MS Word, MS Excel and electronic mail.

solicitationmethods and contract administration related to procurement. Knowledge of laws, policies and procedures governingpublic procurement. Good knowledge of mathematics to perform computations and collect statistics for basic cost andprice analysis. Excellent proofreading and grammatical skills. Some knowledge of cost accounting as it relates to priceand cost analysis. Skill in researching and preparing specifications, solicitations and contract documents. Skill innegotiating contracts. Working skill in project management. Working skill with computers, including automatedpurchasing systems and common office software and productivity tools. Ability to read, interpret, explain and properlyapply rules, regulations, laws, policies and procedures. Ability to develop effective and cooperative working relationshipswith other departments, employees, suppliers and other public agencies. Ability to use judgment and initiative in makingrecommendations and resolving problems. Ability to effectively communicate orally and in writing, including the abilityto convey technical subjects in a clear, concise and positive manner. Ability to establish schedules and to completeprojects on a timely basis. Ability to successfully deal with all persons in a fair and equitable manner. Ability to makedifficult decisions and award contracts impartially and objectively. Possess integrity and a high sense of personal andprofessional ethics.
The abilities expected of all employees include being able to respond to supervision, guidance and direction ofsuperiors in a positive, receptive manner and in accordance with stated policies, be appropriately groomed andattired so as to present a professional image in accordance with the organization's mission, goals, and policies;report for work promptly and properly prepared at the time and place required by the assignment or orders; notifythe appropriate supervisor of intended absences in accordance with stated rules; conform with standards and rulesregarding use of accrued time; demonstrate a polite, helpful and courteous manner when engaged in any activitywith the public; operate and care for equipment to manufacturer's specifications and/or within the specifiedparameters; demonstrate an understanding, consideration, and respect of cultural, religious, and gender differenceswhen interacting with the public and colleagues.
A comparable combination of education, training, and experience which provides the requisite knowledge, skills, andabilities for this position, may be substituted for the minimum qualifications.
Supplemental Information
Physical Demands/Work Environment:
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfullyperform the essential functions of this job. The work environment characteristics described are representative of thosean employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be madeto enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit and talk or hear, use hands to finger,handle, feel, or operate objects, tools, or controls, and reach with both hands and arms. The employee is occasionallyrequired to walk, stand, climb and bend. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 15 lbs. Specific visionabilities required by this job include close vision and the ability to adjust focus. Works inside in a storeroomenvironment. 

SELECTION GUIDELINES:
Formal application, rating of education and experience; oral interview and reference check ;job related tests might be required. The job description does not constitute an employment agreement with the employer, and requirements of the job change