BUYER DEFINITION:
Under supervision, selects, prepares orders for, and arranges for purchase of one or more types of equipment, materials, and supplies used by various departments or agencies; does other related duties as required.
NOTE: The examples of work for this title are for illustrative purposes only. A particular position using this title may not perform all duties listed in this job specification. Conversely, all duties performed on the job may not be listed.
EXAMPLES OF WORK:
Is responsible for purchase of equipment, materials, and/or supplies used by various departments which are continual in nature, have seasonal variations, and vary in item content.
Reviews purchasing requisitions, checks descriptions and specifications for adequacy and accuracy, and consults with concerned parties to adjust discrepancies.
Prepares proposals to be sent to a selected list of vendors and ensures vendors' qualifications are properly investigated.
Ascertains prices of commodities and ability of vendors to deliver specified items.
Prepares bid documents designed for annual contractual purchasing.
Analyzes proposals received from vendors and awards purchase orders in accord with rules and regulations of the jurisdiction or agency.
Studies trade journals, catalogs, directives, and other technical material to determine market and price conditions.
Receives, tabulates, and records detailed applications for one or more types of equipment, materials, and/or supplies used by various departments.
May assist in the preparation of statistical, cost, and other reports.
Prepares correspondence concerned with purchase matters.
Maintains records and files.
Will be required to learn to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and information systems used by the agency, office, or related units.
REQUIREMENTS:
NOTE:Applicants must meet one of the following or a combination of both experience and education. Thirty (30) semester hour credits are equal to one (1) year of relevant experience.
Six (6) years of professional experience in the large scale purchase of commodities, materials, equipment, and/or supplies.
OR:
Possession of a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university; and two (2) years of the above-mentioned professional experience.
NOTE:"Professional experience" refers to work that is creative, analytical, evaluative, and interpretive; requires a range and depth of specalized knowledge of the profession's principles, concepts, theories, and practices; and is performed with the authority to act according to one's own judgment and make accurate and informed decisions.
LICENSE:
Appointees will be required to possess a driver's license valid in New Jersey only if the operation of a vehicle, rather than employee mobility, is necessary to perform the essential duties of the position.
KNOWLEDGE AND ABILITIES:
Knowledge of methods and procedures involved in the purchase of equipment, materials, and/or supplies.
Knowledge of laws, regulations, policies, standards, and procedures relating to a government purchasing department after a period of training.
Knowledge of and familiarity with problems encountered in field and office purchasing work for a government agency.
Knowledge of recordkeeping procedures.
Ability to organize assigned work and develop effective work methods.
Ability to comprehend and analyze individual supply problems and particular needs of various departments.
Ability to work harmoniously with associates, superior officers, vendors, and salespersons and with others interested in or concerned with purchase matters.
Ability to perform such duties as may be required to develop procedures for receiving, tabulating, and recording requisitions in one or more areas received from different departments and the preparation of proposals to be sent to vendors and the checking of bids.
Ability to deal effectively with salespersons and vendors.
Ability to expedite the delivery of purchases.
Ability to prepare reports.
Ability to maintain records and files.
Ability to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and information systems used by the agency, office, or related units.
Ability to read, write, speak, understand, and communicate in English sufficiently to perform duties of this position. American Sign Language or Braille may also be considered as acceptable forms of communication.
Persons with mental or physical disabilities are eligible as long as they can perform essential functions of the job after reasonable accommodation is made to their known limitations. If the accommodation cannot be made because it would cause the employer undue hardship, such persons may not be eligible.
