Lead Purchasing Agent

The Lead Purchasing Agent for the Logistics Service is responsible for issuing, reviewing, and procuring prescribed items to Veterans in compliance with VHA guidelines and directives and leading a team of Purchasing Agents. The work requires knowledge of policies and procedures for delivery orders and small purchases, and also requires knowledge of commercial supply sources and common business practices related to sales, prices, discounts, units of measurement, deliveries, stocks, and shipments.

Responsibilities

• Lead three or more Purchasing Agents performing work at or below the GS‑6 level; serve as first respondent to any staff concerns related to procurement or purchase orders and work independently to resolve those issues, escalating only unresolvable issues.
• Distribute and balance workload among employees.
• Assure timely accomplishment of assignments.
• Review completed work for compliance.
• Instruct Purchasing Agents in specific tasks and job techniques; identify training needs and provide on‑the‑job training to new Purchasing Agents.
• Conduct purchasing for the VA HCS and supported catchment area under the micro‑purchase threshold; purchase various equipment, supplies, and services using the government purchase card for micro purchases.
• Utilize different ordering, reporting procedures, and purchasing methods depending on type, quantity, dollar value, and urgency of the requirement.
• Provide administration and oversight on orders and services; advise approving officials and purchase card holders on purchase card program, procurement procedures, and responsibilities.
• Serve as first line of contact for medical staff and customers regarding procured items; provide clerical support and coordination to approving officials and administrators.
• Utilize a variety of automated systems to enter, update, revise, sort, and calculate data.
• Develop reports and spreadsheets; obtain, organize, file, and retrieve reports for briefing and presentation purposes.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement (09/24/2026).
• Time‑In‑Grade Requirement: Current Federal employees who have held a GS grade any time in the past 52 weeks must also meet time‑in‑grade requirements by the closing date. For a GS‑07 position, must have served 52 weeks at the GS‑06 grade (any occupation, but must have been held in Federal service). An SF‑50 showing time‑in‑grade eligibility must be submitted; if the most recent SF‑50 is within the past year and does not clearly demonstrate one‑year time‑in‑grade, an additional SF‑50 must be provided. Time‑in‑grade also applies to former Federal employees applying for reinstatement and current employees applying for VEOA appointment.
• Specialized Experience: One year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS‑06 in the normal line of progression for the occupation. Examples include:
  • Performing clerical or assistant duties in support of purchasing and procurement.
  • Procuring supplies and services to meet purchase, rental, or lease needs of an organization.
  • Working with medical staff to determine procurement needs and priorities.
  • Resolving shipment, payment, or other discrepancies in support of procurement programs and operations.
  • Purchasing various supplies and services through the use of a purchase card.
• For more information on qualification standards, see the United States Office of Personnel Management website: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/

Schedule

Work Schedule: Monday – Friday, 8:00 am – 4:30 pm (subject to change based on the needs of the facility). This is not a virtual position.

Position Description/PD#: Lead Purchasing Agent/PD99879S. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized. Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not Approved. Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized.