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GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF CLASS
The BUYER 1, located in a centralized purchasing department or large department
of a college or university, procures quality services and supplies for the college or university at the best possible
price.
DISTINGUISHING FEATURES
This is the first of a three-level series and is distinguished from the higher
levels by its emphasis on more routine purchasing requests, involving less technical or specialized commodities,
by the absence of writing complex bids and specifications, and by working under closer supervision.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
- Purchasing. Typical tasks: analyzes
and evaluates purchase requisitions submitted by the departments for accuracy; processes requisitions according
to agency and Department of General Services rules and regulations; assists departments in determining specifications,
quantities, product availability and sources of supply; locates, evaluates and selects sources of supply; maintains
records of product lines, availability, price, purchase terms, and vendor performance; places purchase orders with
vendors; maintains catalog and price lists and price agreements; maintains purchasing policy and procedures manual.
- Bid Development and Recording. Typical
tasks: assists departments in determining specifications; if dollar amount of items to be purchased is within delegated
authority given by General Services, obtains competitive bids by telephone or mail; evaluates bid responses for
compliance to specifications; awards bids to lowest and most suitable bidder; if dollar amount exceeds delegated
authority, submits specifications to General Services for bidding and coordinates department contact with General
Services.
- Problem-Solving. Typical tasks: resolves
shipping, receiving and billing discrepancies with users/vendors; negotiates returns and allowances; expedites
orders, reschedules deliveries, cancels, and renegotiates orders.
RELATIONSHIPS WITH OTHERS
Employees in this class are in regular telephone and personal contact with vendors
to place purchase orders, receive competitive bids, and resolve billing problems; with departmental employees to
determine purchasing need/requirements and with Department of General Services to obtain information about bids
and purchasing procedures.
SUPERVISION RECEIVED
Employees in this class receive general supervision from an administrative superior
through a random audit of purchase orders for completeness and accuracy. Work performed by employees in this class
must also comply with State and Federal purchasing regulations, agency buyers handbook, General Services regulations
and policies, and agency purchasing procedures.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
- one year of full-time purchasing experience
which must include using purchasing practices, procedures, and techniques
such as determining specifications, placing purchase orders, and processing
requisitions; AND - a Bachelor's degree in Business
Administration or a closely-related field or three more years of
relevant experience.