Senior Buyer

Overview

The Senior Buyer will lead the procurement, development, oversight, and execution of high-value, complex, high-profile, and time-sensitive supply and service agreements. You will also ensure the acquisition of materials and equipment meets the organization's operational needs in both quantity and quality, while maintaining full compliance with State Law, City Charter, and City Policies. You will design and implement strategic sourcing initiatives for critical commodities and services to enhance operational efficiency and cost-effectiveness. You will also serve as the lead Buyer, providing guidance and direction to procurement staff and other City employees involved in purchasing activities. You will prepare award memorandums and comprehensive supporting documentation for presentation to City Council. Lastly, you will assess procurement matters to determine when direct consultation with the City's Legal Counsel is warranted to ensure legal and procedural integrity.

Responsibilities

• Develop, initiate, and monitoring high-cost, complex, high-profile, and time- sensitive supply and service agreements
• Coordinate with using departments to establish strategic agreements that meet operational needs
• Prepare comprehensive Request for Proposal (RFP) documents to secure professional services contracts, including clearly defined contract terms, scope of work, response format, and evaluation criteria
• Conduct price and cost analysis of bids and proposals using low-cost and best-value criteria
• Recommend awards, facilitate pre-bid activities, and review requisitions to establish purchase orders
• Prepare award memoranda and supporting documents for City Council presentations, including agenda memos with purpose, background, alternatives, financial tables, funding sources and amounts, bid tabulations, certification of funds, draft service agreements, resolutions, and appropriation ordinances
• Develop detailed evaluation matrices for professional service contracts and assist with City Council presentations as needed
• Determine appropriate communication strategies and facilitate meetings between contractors and City departments to resolve complex issues, including demand letters, service improvement plans, corrective actions, and contract terminations
• Serve as Lead Buyer for the Purchasing Division, providing guidance to buyers and departmental staff to ensure compliance with procurement laws and policies, including Historically Underutilized Business (HUB) requirements
• Evaluate departmental requests for bidding waivers in emergency situations when authorized as designee of the Assistant Director of Procurement or Purchasing Manager
• Implement strategic sourcing initiatives as needed
• Oversee education and on boarding of new suppliers regarding the City's centralized and decentralized procurement policies
• Assist vendors with registration in the City's Supplier Portal to ensure access to bid solicitations and participation opportunities
• Engage with prospective contractors, suppliers, and bidders to gain insight into industry trends and market shifts affecting City-used commodities and services
• Conduct complex price, market, and industry analyses, and evaluate specifications, production schedules, procurement data, and buying patterns to identify key commodities and services
• Lead and support Buyers and Junior Buyers in day to day tasks while o ffering guidance and training, providing support
• Support quarterly reviews with staff to assess performance and complete annual Performance Evaluations
• May be asked to perform other duties as assigned
  
  

Position Type and Typical Hours of Work

• Exempt – Full-Time
• Flexibility to work evenings, weekends, and holidays is a schedule requirement
• In the event of an emergency, employees are required to work to provide for the safety and well-being of the public, including the delivery and restoration of vital services.
  
  

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by individuals assigned to this job. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel so classified in this position. This job description is subject to change as the needs and requirements of the job change.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree (BA/BS)
• Two (2) years of applicable job experience
  
  

or

• Associate's Degree (AA/AS)
• Four (4) years of applicable job experience
  
  

Licenses and Certifications

Required

• A valid driver's license is required; successful out-of-state candidates must be able to obtain a valid Texas driver's license within 90 days of hire
• Proof of automobile liability insurance
  
  

Employment Testing

Employment is contingent on passing any post-offer pre-employment screening as listed below:

• Criminal Background Check: Yes
• Motor Vehicle Record Check: Yes
• Drug Screening: Yes
• Physical Exam: Yes
  
  

Basis of Rating

A recruitment consultant will evaluate all applications against the posted qualifications. The city may also conduct additional skill assessment tests, in addition to the panel interview.

Supplemental Information

Any position that lists a minimum qualification for education level and/or license/certification will require the applicant to provide proof of documentation if selected for hire into the position with the City of Corpus Christi.

The City of Corpus is an Equal Opportunity Employer and complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act and Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act (USERRA). If you require an accommodation in order to apply for a position, please request assistance from the Human Resources Department.