Buyer III

About the role

The Buyer III reports to a Purchasing Supervisor or Manager, working independently to handle proposal and procurement activities for a wide variety of commodities and/or services.

Proposal responsibilities

• Assists leadership in assignment of Bill of Material (BOM) assignments; quickly identifies missing pertinent information and may provide details in shared file.
• Receives high-dollar or difficult BOM for review; identifies missing BOM information and works with departments and program managers for clarification; creates a Request for Quote (RFQ) form; contacts vendors for quote information; follows up on quote requests; prepares completed proposal packet for review by team lead or manager.
• Composes Memorandum of Price Reasonableness (MPR) as required.
• Requests email clarification from vendor for backup data; may override vendor selection.
• Processes the proposal packet per departmental procedures; continues to revalidate the proposals until win/loss.
• Serves as a reference for other buyers during the proposal phase; provides assignment support.

Procurement responsibilities

• Receives Purchase Requisition list (PR) and prioritizes per program needs; verifies pricing and delivery is current; applies purchase order (PO); verifies and enters any missing information in Costpoint; ensures debarment certifications are received.
• Creates electronic folder for review and approval of all purchase orders up to $30,000 with competition (signing authority requires validation of competency and management approval).
• Meets with the Program Manager to review program part, delivery or other PR discrepancies; receives PM approval prior to proceeding with Purchase Order (PO) placement; completes a part number change request form for approval.
• Determines if sole source or justification is needed and method to execute PR.
• Creates a Memorandum of Price Reasonableness (MPR); assists other buyers in the creation of the MPR.
• Reviews, implements and ensures QA257 form is saved in the electronic file.
• Addresses rejected PRs; works with planner to requote PR.
• Submits PO to vendor for acceptance; cancels PO if required.
• Serves as a reference for other buyers during the procurement phase; provides assignment support.

Strategic and vendor management

• May serve as a Strategic Buyer for Program oversight; may attend program meetings and line walks.
• Identifies best source parts and services; creates pricing history to select vendors such as the MPR, market research analysis and supports other buyers with PR research; determines cost saving measures or proposes bulk pricing initiatives.
• Utilizes the Approved Vendor List; establishes and develops vendor relationships; identifies and suggests new vendors; may initiate process for new vendor approval; follows vendor chain for desired execution or in response to vendor issues; notifies leadership of poor performing vendors.
• Utilizes system generated reports for quotation data, backup justification, work assignments and PO past due dates; generates reports for team performance metrics; uses reporting for program analysis.

Communication and compliance

• Communicates effectively; ensures system notes are provided; responds to facility inquiries and issues to support the purchasing process; provides proactive feedback to leadership and program management.
• Provides team training.
• Utilizes the FAR and DFARS daily for compliance.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Supply Chain Management, Contracts Procurement, Finance/Accounting, or equitable field required. Master's preferred.
• 5 years purchasing or related supply chain/business administrative experience required.
• Any combination of education/experience may be substituted for job requirements at the recommendation of the hiring manager and approval of the COO or higher.