Senior Purchasing Analyst

Under general direction, performs professional-level procurement and materials management functions for the City of Thornton. Employees in this class perform highly complex purchasing duties with considerable independence and initiative with minimal supervision once the orientation period is completed. Employees in this class may lead, train, and assist in the evaluation of assigned staff.

(Essential functions, as defined under the Americans with Disabilities Act, may include the following tasks, knowledge, skills and other characteristics. The list of tasks is ILLUSTRATIVE ONLY, and is not a comprehensive listing of all functions and tasks performed by positions in this class.)

Procures materials, equipment and services in a cost-effective, professional and ethical manner for City departments, ensuring procurements conform to City policies, ordinances, charter, and state and federal statutes.

Assists and instructs City employees in policies and procedures relating to procurement, receipting and payment for goods and services.

Assists with defining and gathering specifications for fleet, products and services based on collaborative efforts with City employees.

Develops requests for proposals, advertises, opens bids, evaluates bids including evaluating quality versus costs and making recommendations on best value, makes awards, and issues purchase orders or contracts. Assists with resolution of bid protests.

Creates, updates and maintains records related to procurement function, including advertisements, addenda, bid tabulations, awards, purchase orders, agreements, amendments and other related documents.

Monitors and administers requirements of contractual agreements, including terminations for cause or breach, renewals and close outs. Assists with resolution of vendor performance problems and manages vendor performance throughout the life of a contract.

Utilizes automated purchasing software to create, review and approve purchase requisitions, purchase orders and payment requests.

Serves as the subject matter expert and handles administrative functions for procurement software. Provides training classes, develops training material and provides support for software users.

Provides budget information and estimates or analysis to other City departments and budget analysts.

Researches vendors, product distributors, retailers, service providers, consultants or contractors to determine and recommend procurement options. Researches and evaluates methods to save money including purchasing cooperative groups.

Identifies, educates and develops relationships with suppliers and contractors to provide for the City's needs for goods and services, within City purchasing practices and procedures.

Develops, promotes and facilitates cooperative procurement processes with other governmental agencies. Consults with other City departments and represents the City with outside agencies on City operations and procurement needs.

Represents the City to vendors, suppliers, and local, regional and national public purchasing organizations.

Manages a variety of special projects and assignments related to purchasing.

Coordinates the disposition of surplus City property and materials.

Develops and maintains an internal customer satisfaction survey tool and assists with analysis of data to improve Purchasing processes and customer satisfaction.

Gathers, consolidates and distributes Purchasing performance measurement data. Periodically analyzes performance measurement results with respect to internal trends and external benchmark cities, and recommends modifications to improve effectiveness of Purchasing operations. Performs research and prepares narrative and/or statistical reports related to procurement.

Prepares an electronic method for customers to access awarded vendors and products. Creates templates to assist Purchasing staff with tracking task responsibilities and deadlines.

Develops internal audit processes and documentation for Purchasing. Audits products, purchases and documents to ensure accuracy of billing and payment, as well as compliance with policy.

Monitors state statutes and current legal trends regarding government procurement.

Recommends modifications to standard procurement documents and procedures to limit liability and/or inefficiency and incorporate new best practices. Assists with updating master documents and policy and procedure manuals as well as processes to maintain alignment with and improve current practice.

May serve in an acting capacity during absences of direct supervisor.

May lead, train and assist in the evaluation of assigned staff.

May cross-train and assist with contract administration function.

Performs other duties as assigned.

Education/Experience:

Bachelor's degree in Business, Finance, or related field from an accredited college or university; four years' increasingly responsible experience in purchasing and procurement of a diverse range of products and services, including two years of government experience. Equivalent combinations of education and experience may be considered.

Licensing/Certification Requirements:

Certified Professional Public Buyer (CPPB) or equivalent as determined by Thornton, or ability to obtain within one year of hire.

May need the ability to travel to various locations in a timely manner as the job requires.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

Knowledge of the policies, procedures and goals of the City of Thornton and the department, or ability to learn within two months of hire.

Knowledge of federal, state and local statutes, ordinances, resolutions and charter related to municipal finance.

Knowledge of the Uniform Commercial Code and Colorado Revised Statutes related to procurement.

Knowledge of the principles and practices of municipal purchasing and cooperative procurement.

Knowledge of federal procurement (FAR) requirements for procurements using federal grants.

Knowledge of the theory, principles, practices and methods of negotiation and contract management.

Skill in the use and maintenance of automated purchasing software systems.

Skill in overseeing and performing contract negotiations, tabulating and analyzing bids and proposals, resolution of bid protests, project coordination, contract administration and contract dispute resolution.

Ability to understand and apply principles and practices of proper business ethics.

Ability to effectively review and approve purchase requisitions.

Ability to use standard office equipment, computer equipment and software including word processing, data base management, spreadsheet applications, electronic mail and web browsers.

Ability to conduct procurement training.

Ability to assist with resolution of supplier problems.

Ability to manage special projects.

Ability to conduct research and prepare narrative or statistical reports.

Ability to understand and comply with complex statutes, ordinances, regulations, standards and guidelines.

Ability to draft policies and procedures.

Ability to listen well and communicate effectively orally and in writing with various audiences.

Ability to consistently exercise discretion, independent judgment and decision making.

Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with City management and other City employees, suppliers, contractors, vendors, other agencies and the general public.

Ability to work as a member of a team.

Ability to continually improve personal knowledge and to monitor the business and government environments for new laws and trends, especially as it relates to procurement, and to recommend adaptations to division practices to mitigate risk to the City.

Physical and Mental Requirements:

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to kneel, crouch, reach, stand, walk, lift, finger, talk, hear, and make repetitive motions. This position is mostly sedentary work; exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally and/or negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects. The employee is required to have visual acuity to operate motor vehicles and/or heavy equipment. The employee is subject to outside environmental conditions, and both inside and outside conditions.

Examinations may include but are not limited to application screening beyond minimum qualifications; written, oral, practical exercise or any combination thereof or other job related assessment deemed appropriate by Human Resources.

Your application will be used as a screening tool. Completeness and accuracy are important! Any false or untrue statements or material omissions in the application and related paperwork or during the selection process could disqualify you from consideration.

As a condition of employment, the city of Thornton conducts background investigations for all positions which may also include a review of credit report and/or driving record. A drug screen, physical, and/or psychological examination administered by a city-designated provider will be required for pre-determined positions.