Buyer Specialist

 

About Virginia Community College System:

Virginia's Community Colleges were created more than 50 years ago to address Virginia's unmet needs in higher education and workforce training. With its mission to give everyone the opportunity to learn and develop the right skills so lives and communities are strengthened, the VCCS works to provide world class services that foster and expand access to exemplary learning experiences for all by expanding access, providing affordability, supporting student success, expanding workforce development training, and securing resources to achieve its goals.

The Shared Services Center supports the VCCS mission by providing excellent customer service and effective and efficient administrative services to the 23 community colleges and the System Office. These services include functions in the areas of human resources, fiscal services, payroll, and procurement with the intent to use economies of scale and specialized expertise to support its customers.

As a service within the SSC, Procurement Operations provides a unified procurement and contracting process for all 40 campuses of the 23 colleges as well as the System Office. Procurement Operations will consist of a team of procurement professionals focused on excellence in service, full regulatory compliance, and continuous improvement in procurement operations. When fully deployed, the SSC Procurement Operations will be responsible for spend in excess of $250 million annually.

 

Job Description:

Under their direct supervisor, the Buyer Specialist performs transactional purchases for a wide variety of goods and services for the 23 VCCS colleges, the System Office and the Shared Services Center. The position:

• Receives demand signals and purchases goods and services up to the small purchase threshold.
• Ensures that all purchases are performed accurately, timely and in accordance with applicable state laws & policies and VCCS policies.
• Employs best business practices to continuously improve performance, compliance, efficiency and effectiveness.

 

Requirements:

• Ability to execute simple to moderately complex purchases of supplies, equipment, and services.
• Ability to proficiently use automated procurement systems (e-procurement) to review and process requisitions through to a purchase order and acknowledgment.
• Ability to analyze quotes/, bids and make appropriate purchasing decisions.
• Ability to fully manage procurement process for assignments from the need through the purchase order, including order status and invoicing discrepancies.
• Demonstrated ability to exercise sound judgment, solve problems, and attend to detail in a fast pace, team oriented and customer service oriented environment.
• Demonstrated ability to provide exceptional customer service to internal and external customers in a professional manner.
• Ability to complete assignments following procedures & processes within the policies & laws.
• Ability to express thoughts clearly both verbally and in writing.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality.
• Ability to use the computer hardware and software required, including proficiency in MS Office.
• Multiple years of procurement experience.
• Current Virginia Contracting Associate (VCA) certification or ability to obtain within one year of hire; see https://vip.dgs.virginia.gov/ for more information on VCA certification.
• Associate's degree from an accredited institution, or equivalent education and experience.

 

Preferred/ Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution, or equivalent education and experience.
• Procurement experience in higher education and/or state government.
• Professional procurement certification(s):Virginia Contracting Officer (VCO), Certified Public Procurement Buyer (CPPB), Certified E-Procurement Professional (CEPP) or other nationally recognized procurement certification.
• Knowledge of governmental procurement principles and ability to follow procurement policy and standard operating procedures.
• Working knowledge of Commonwealth of Virginia & VCCS procurement policies (VPPA, APSPM, etc.).
• Working knowledge of eVA (state procurement system) and AIS/PeopleSoft.

 

Additional Information:

The Shared Services Center is located in the beautiful mountain area of Daleville, Virginia.

Salary commensurate with education and work experience. This position is a state classified position. The VCCS offers competitive compensation along with excellent benefits and opportunity for career development.

 

Application Instructions:

To apply for this position, qualified applicants must complete the online information section and questions, and attach a resume and cover letter with salary requirements for consideration, www.vccs.edu/careers/

Reference, background, and e-Verify checks are required for all VCCS positions.

 

The Virginia Community College System is committed to fostering, cultivating, and sustaining a culture of diversity and is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. The VCCS encourages applications from women, minorities, veterans, and those with disabilities in our effort to reflect our diverse society.

 

We thank you for your interest in the Virginia Community College System.

 

URL: www.ssc.vccs.edu

 

 

 

Apply Here

PI106456813