Purchasing Agent

Summary

The position serves as a Purchasing Agent for the Supply Chain Management Service in the South Texas Veterans Healthcare System and supported catchment area. This role primarily performs purchasing work to acquire supplies, services, and construction through purchase, rental, or lease via delivery orders and/or small purchase procedures.

Qualifications

Applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of 09/22/2026.

• Time‑In‑Grade Requirement: Current Federal employees must have served 52 weeks at the next lower grade (GS‑05) within the past 52 weeks. An SF‑50 showing eligibility must be submitted; if the most recent SF‑50 is less than a year old, an additional SF‑50 demonstrating one‑year time‑in‑grade is required. This requirement also applies to former Federal employees seeking reinstatement and to VEOA appointments.
• Specialized Experience: One year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade (GS‑05) in the normal line of progression, including:
  • Clerical or assistant duties supporting purchasing and procurement.
  • Procuring supplies and services to meet purchase, rental, or lease needs.
  • Working with medical staff to determine procurement needs and priorities.
  • Resolving shipment, payment, or other discrepancies in procurement programs.
  • Purchasing equipment, supplies, and services using a purchase card.
  • Assembling and summarizing information from files and documents to create reports using automated supply/inventory management systems and Microsoft Office (Word, Excel).

Duties

• Purchase equipment, supplies, and services using the government purchase card for micro‑purchases.
• Review and edit purchase requests to ensure accurate descriptions and compliance with legal requirements.
• Obtain product and price information and prepare written or verbal purchase orders.
• Provide guidance to potential vendors on requirements and entry into the VHA’s local vendor file.
• Utilize web‑based portals (e.g., DoD’s ECAT, Medical Surgical Prime Vendor site) to order, track, and monitor procurement transactions.
• Review Fund Control Points and verify balances to ensure procurement obligations are complete and approved before ordering.
• Administer and oversee orders and services.
• Represent the VA in discussions with vendors/contractors to secure agreement on micro‑purchases and ensure compliance.
• Monitor vendor performance through contact, progress reports, and discussions of delays, failures, or price changes.
• Track obligations and expenditures to support budget forecasts and identify potential fraud, waste, or abuse.
• Research, develop spreadsheets, and prepare reports for micro‑threshold procurement to address departmental needs.
• Compile, consolidate, organize, and summarize procurement information for annual budget estimates and other reports.
• Provide excellent customer service to medical staff, customers, vendors, and contractors, resolving issues promptly.
• Resolve minor disputes and informal complaints; refer formal complaints to the supervisor.
• Communicate tactfully with individuals of diverse backgrounds and varying levels of understanding.
• Examine incoming requests for completeness, including purchase request numbers, accounting codes, item descriptions, estimated costs, and quantities.
• Serve as the first point of contact for medical staff and customers regarding procured items.
• Provide clerical support and coordination to approving officials and administrators.

Work Schedule

Monday‑Friday, either 7:00 am – 3:30 pm or 7:30 am – 4:00 pm.

Telework: Ad‑hoc only as determined by agency policy.

Virtual: This is not a virtual position.