Buyer

The City of Grand Prairie is looking for a skilled Buyer to manage the procurement of essential goods and services! This role involves sourcing through competitive bids, reviewing requisitions, developing specifications, and handling contracts to ensure compliance with State and Federal laws. You'll work closely with departments and vendors, guiding the purchasing process from start to finish. If you're detail-oriented and thrive in a dynamic environment, join us in making a difference!

This information is intended to be descriptive of the key responsibilities of the position. The following examples do not identify all duties performed by any single incumbent.

This position has responsibilities that require exerting up to 10 lbs. occasionally or negligible weights frequently; sitting most of the time.

• Solicits informal bids (less than $50,000) by assisting departments in developing specifications, posting legal advertisements when necessary, posting solicitations on the City's e-procurement system, and e-mailing prospective bidders on the Texas CMBL and HUB vendors, answering vendor questions, receiving and opening informal bids, creating bid tabulations or score cards, reviewing bid submissions to ensure compliance with specifications, providing recommendation to departments on informal bid award, assists with processing of contract renewals as needed.

• Performs basic contract administration for departments' annual price agreements by analyzing pricing and basic contract information in the City's financial and document database systems. Review assigned price agreements for spend and ensure any necessary change orders or extensions are processed in a timely manner. Work with Departments and vendors to resolve questions and concerns, justify price changes, and, if necessary, contract modifications.

• Performs vendor management and periodic vendor maintenance to ensure prompt vendor activations in the City's financial system.  Processes and verifies any requested vendor changes after approval from the Purchasing Manager.

• Performs periodic maintenance on the City's procurement forms with approval from the Purchasing Manager and requests updates to the procurement section of the City's website as needed and with the Purchasing Manager's approval.

• Communicates with the public, vendors, and other city employees to answer questions and/or gather information regarding service, pricing, delivery, invoicing, etc.

• Assists with periodic disposals of surplus materials and auctions with third party provider companies.

• Performs special projects/assignments as assigned by the Purchasing Manager that is within the scope of public procurement throughout the year, including fiscal year-end.

• Education: Associate's degree or equivalent

• Experience: Two years in purchasing or accounting, preferably in government or non-profit. OR any equivalent combination of experience or training that provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities.

• Licenses: Valid Texas Class C Driver's License.

• Certifications Required: Prefer purchasing certification from any accredited agency or state.