PRINCIPAL PURCHASING ASSISTANT

DEFINITION

Under direction, has charge of, supervises, and participates in the work 
of a unit engaged in the requisitioning or purchasing of materials, supplies, 
and services; does related work 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:

Receives, reviews, and approves vendors ‘claims   prior to submission to 
the purchasing agent, and, after purchase orders have been prepared, 
supervises the posting of purchase order information into purchase ledgers.

Receives, reviews, and approves vendors' claims and forwards them to 
the purchasing agent.

Supervises the checking and posting of vendors' claims.

Oversees the receiving and storage of materials and supplies.

Maintains liaison with vendors and the purchasing agent on prices, errors, 
and complaints on delivery.

Maintains liaison with unit heads and confers with them regarding their 
needs for materials and supplies.

Suggests the use of substitutes or alternative products.

Arranges for the direct purchase of items which do not require the 
advertising of bids by the purchasing agent.

May be responsible for preparing routine purchase specifications.

Interviews sales representatives who have been authorized by the 
purchasing agent and makes recommendations for purchases.

Receives budgetary estimates for purchases requested by unit heads, 
and consults with the department head as to what purchases should be 
approved or reduced based on past performance.

Compiles data required for the preparation of the budget.

Attends budgetary hearings.

Reviews budgetary appropriations for materials and supplies and advises 
the department head as to over expenditures or the need for additional 
appropriations.

Supervises the maintenance of a perpetual inventory.

Schedules work to be accomplished and gives suitable assignments

Will be required to learn to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual 
recording information systems used by the agency, office or related unit.

REQUIREMENTS:

EXPERIENCE:

Three (3) years of experience in the preparation and processing of 
requisitions and/or in the purchase of equipment, materials, and/or 
supplies.

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 essential duties of the position.

KNOWLEDGE AND ABILITIES:

Knowledge of methods and procedures involved in the requisitioning 
and/or purchasing of equipment, materials, and supplies.

Ability to supervise assigned employees.

Ability to comprehend and analyze complex supply problems and the 
particular needs of the various units.

Ability to deal effectively with sales representatives and vendors.

Ability to supervise the preparation and/or prepare suitable reports.

Ability to establish and maintain appropriate records and files.

Ability to learn to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual 
recording information systems used by the agency, office or related 
units.

Ability to read, write, speak, understand, or communicate in English 
sufficiently to perform the 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 with or without reasonable 
accommodation.  If the accommodation cannot be made because it 
would cause the employer undue hardship, such persons may not be 
eligible.


This job specification is applicable to the following title code:
Job
Spec
Code
Variant
State,
Local or
Common
Class of
Service
Work
Week
State
Class
Code
Local
Class
Code
Salary
Range
Note
02847
L
C
  
N/A
08
-

This job specification is for local government use only.
Salary range is only applicable to state government.
Local salaries are established by individual local jurisdictions.

4/02/2016