Purchasing Agent

Summary

This position is located at the Jack C. Montgomery VA Medical Center in Muskogee, OK, in the Prosthetic & Sensory Aids Service (PSAS) line. The incumbent performs direct medical supply purchasing and Inventory Management support to the administrative and clinical services of the VA to initiate the obligation for all related requirements necessary to provide prosthetic and sensory aids services.

Qualifications

• To qualify for this position - applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement - 07/20/2026.
• Time-In-Grade Requirement: Applicants who are current Federal employees and have held a GS grade any time in the past 52 weeks must also meet time-in-grade requirements by the closing date of this announcement.
• Specialized Experience: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS 5 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization.
• Examples of specialized experience would typically include - but are not limited to:

• Knowledge of solicitation and purchasing methods to make competitive or sole source small purchases that involve collecting data to determine price reasonableness for new items - preparing detailed written solicitations - tailoring special terms and conditions - or other matters of similar complexity.
• Skills in analyzing descriptions that have unique aspects or critical characteristics to identify problem areas in specifications or work statements - determine if quotations are responsive - or decide if substitutions are acceptable or should be referred to other personnel for further review.
• Knowledge of price analysis techniques to evaluate prices or costs for requirements with inadequate price history or evaluate allowable charges for requirements involving special cost features.
• Knowledge of various acquisition clauses such as those pertaining to inspection - acceptance packaging - or testing to select or tailor clauses for purchases that involve special handling.
• Knowledge of post award procedures to discuss equitable price adjustments for modifications to a purchase order - determine whether to recommend termination of an accepted purchase order for convenience or perform similar actions.
• Ability to analyze descriptions that have unique aspects in order to identify problem areas in specifications or work statements - to determine if quotations are responsive and to decide if substitutions are acceptable.
• Ability to work and negotiate with requestors - technical representatives - and vendors in analyzing these descriptions and administering the order.

Competencies

• Attention to Detail
• Flexibility
• Integrity/Honesty
• Interpersonal Skills
• Reading Comprehension
• Self-Management
• Stress Tolerance
• Teamwork

Duties

• Plans work to be accomplished by subordinates - sets and adjusts short term priorities - and prepares schedules for completion of work based on priorities.
• Advises - counsels and instructs employees on work and administrative manners - such as complaints - grievances - etc.
• Finds and implements ways to eliminate or reduce significant bottlenecks and barriers to production.
• Oversees management and distribution of all supplies and material in the medical center through subordinates who maintain stock - monitor expiration dates and rotating stock - ensure critical supplies are monitored - perform daily inventory - resolve differences in records - distribute items - deliver supplies in a timely manner - and complete specialty cart preparation.
• Oversees the receipt of supplies and material into the medical center.
• Analyzes and resolves difficult issues and problems in order to plan effectively and render equitable and reliable decisions.
• Conducts market research on all new products and ensures they are recorded in the automated inventory system.
• Ensures availability of recurring supply items which are managed and distributed through the computerized inventory management system.
• Analyzes management reports in order to manage and control the fund control point limitations and identify trends - correct errors - and resolve problems.
• Works with members of the vendor and/or contract community - managers - supervisors and other staff throughout the medical center on Logistics issues.
• Communicates with subordinate staff and other administrative and clinical staff to coordinate and persuade logistics activities on the implementation of policy or procedural changes.