BUYER

About the role

Performs journey-level work purchasing materiel, supplies, and services to achieve organizational goals through best practices. This position is responsible for Sourcing, Expediting, Procurement, Supplier Management, and Contracts. The role requires the ability to work with clients, peers, suppliers, and executive management, and involves a heavy workload to create purchase orders and contracts.

Responsibilities

• Reviews and processes requisitions for all divisions using the enterprise purchasing system
• Ensures orders are processed within Metro's rules, policies, and guidelines
• Prioritizes daily workload to achieve maximum effort in order to meet set administrative deadlines linked to agency Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)
• Resolves discrepancies promptly and effectively, providing alternative solutions
• Prepares Requests for Proposals (RFPs) and Invitations for Bids (IFBs) in compliance with Metro's policies and state/federal regulations
• Selects vendors and obtains and compares price quotes
• Evaluates proposals and bids
• Negotiates purchase terms and awards contracts
• Uses appropriate purchase procedures for acquiring materiel, supplies, and services
• Monitors vendor performance against contract requirements
• Verifies deliveries are consistent with orders
• Resolves receiving/warehouse problems and adjusts payments with the Accounting Department
• Advises other departments on availability of materiel and new products
• Researches and obtains new supply sources
• Assigns freight carriers as designated in the Los Angeles County routing guide
• Prepares comprehensive reports and correspondence
• Maintains computer files
• Supports diversity and economic outreach goals and programs

Requirements

A combination of education and/or experience that provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the essential functions of the position. Additional experience may be substituted for required education on a year-for-year basis. A typical combination includes:

• Education: Bachelor's Degree in Business, Public Administration, or a related field
• Experience: One year of relevant experience performing purchasing activities
• Certifications/Licenses: A valid California Class C Driver License or the ability to utilize an alternative method of transportation when needed. Professional certification from National Contract Management Association (NCMA), American Production and Inventory Control Society (APICS), Institute for Supply Management (ISM), or equivalent is preferred.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience conducting sourcing for hard-to-find alternative suppliers, substitute items, and/or custom items for Rail, Bus, and Maintenance of Way
• Experience working with suppliers to prevent late orders and establishing supplier relationships for “hot” or critical orders
• Experience working in a fast-paced environment that may exceed an 8-hour workday or 5 days a week to process Purchase Orders
• Experience with analytics (MS Excel) used for inventory management and supplier negotiations
• Experience improving processes and performance by evaluating procedures, data, and results

Skills

• Essential Knowledge:
  • Theories, principles, and practices of procurement
  • Applicable local, state, and federal laws, rules, and regulations governing procurement, including Disadvantaged Business Enterprises (DBE)
  • Market trends and pricing conditions of various commodities, products, and services
  • Types, uses, and sources of materiel and services used by large organizations
  • Applicable business software applications
• Skill in:
  • Performing procurement functions
  • Negotiating procurement transactions effectively
  • Analyzing data and situations, identifying problems, and recommending solutions
  • Exercising sound judgment and creativity in making decisions
  • Interacting professionally with all levels of Metro employees and outside representatives
  • Communicating effectively orally and in writing
  • Operating computers and general office equipment
• Ability to:
  • Compile and analyze data
  • Prepare specifications, IFBs, RFPs, and contracts
  • Understand, interpret, and apply laws, rules, regulations, policies, procedures, contracts, budgets, and labor/management agreements
  • Prepare comprehensive reports and correspondence
  • Travel to offsite locations
  • Read, write, speak, and understand English

Working Conditions

• Typical office environment with close exposure to computer monitors and video screens
• Physical effort includes:
  • Sitting at a desk or table
  • Operating a telephone or other telecommunications device
  • Typing and using a keyboard and mouse to perform computer-based functions
  • Communicating through speech in English

This job specification is not to be construed as an exhaustive list of duties, responsibilities, or requirements.