Buyer

About the Role

The Buyer plays a vital role in the purchasing process, overseeing every aspect to ensure the acquisition of products and services that align with budgetary constraints, adhere to quality benchmarks, and are promptly delivered. This role contributes to the seamless and compliant functioning of procurement operations, ensuring responsible stewardship of funds.

Responsibilities

• Foster and maintain strong relationships with clients, suppliers, and internal contacts to facilitate effective communication and collaboration.
• Monitor open requisitions and keep relevant departments informed about delivery status, price fluctuations of goods, and vendor pricing changes.
• Ensure all procurement activities comply with applicable federal, state, and local regulations, as well as specific grant and funder requirements (e.g., Uniform Guidance 2 CFR 200).
• Drive supplier collaboration to encourage innovation and gain a competitive edge in the market.
• Conduct thorough analysis to identify opportunities for cost reduction, evaluate material selection and sourcing techniques, and enhance overall cost efficiency.
• Develop strategic sourcing plans, identify qualified suppliers, and obtain competitive quotes to ensure optimal procurement outcomes.
• Work closely with the DEI strategist to actively promote diversity and inclusion among Unity's suppliers and partners, seeking out Woman, Minority, or Veteran-owned companies and fostering relationships with partners/suppliers who share similar DEI values and strategies.
• Regularly review existing contracts with suppliers and vendors to assess their ongoing feasibility, anticipate trends, and proactively negotiate any necessary changes.
• Exercise budgetary control over procurement activities and foster a culture of long-term cost savings and accountability.
• Utilize Precoro procurement software to generate purchase orders and meticulously track transactions from order placement to receipt, invoice reconciliation, and payment, maintaining detailed and auditable records.
• Take a proactive role in resolving critical quality and delivery issues with suppliers, assuming comprehensive ownership of supplier performance.
• Collaborate with other departments to ensure customer requirements are met and mitigate negative impacts on the business in the event of supply shortages.
• Regular and reliable attendance at the worksite and adherence to assigned schedule. This position is not remote or telecommute.
• Adhere to all company and departmental policies and procedures per the guidebook, including all safety requirements and guidelines.
• Utilize electronic time management system to input time, attendance, and paid time-off requests.
• Research and determine resolutions for purchasing discrepancies.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in business, accounting, supply chain management, or a related field. Five (5) years of relevant experience may be substituted for the degree.
• 3+ years’ experience in the procurement field with preference for experience in a non-profit or public sector environment.
• Strong working knowledge of sourcing and procurement techniques as well as an aptitude for reading the market.
• Knowledge of cooperative contracts, a plus.
• Demonstrated experience with grant-funded procurement and associated compliance is highly desirable.
• Exceptional talent in negotiating and networking.
• Solid knowledge of supplier or third-party management software.
• Outstanding decision-making skills and ability to work well with numbers.
• Excellent verbal and interpersonal communication skills.
• Highly organized and possesses strong attention to detail.
• Demonstrated ability to be customer-focused and provide outstanding customer service.

Skills

• Minimum intermediate end-user proficiency in MS Office: Excel, Word, Outlook, and PowerPoint.
• Database management experience.
• Experience with Amazon Business accounts.

Physical and Mental Requirements

• Activity: Indoor Work – Constantly
• Activity: Sitting at Workstation – Constantly
• Activity: Use of Hands/Fingers – Constantly
• Activity: Read/See/Hear – Constantly
• Activity: Standing/Walking – Frequently
• Activity: Talk/Communicate – Frequently
• Activity: Operating Computer – Constantly
• Activity: Operate Company Equipment (electronic devices, fax, telephone, scanner, copier) – Constantly
• Activity: Carry 40 lbs Max – Occasionally
• Activity: Climb – Stairs/Ladders – Occasionally
• Activity: Stoop/Kneel/Crouch/Crawl – Occasionally
• Work Environment: Office Environment

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.