] Office of Human Resources - Montgomery County Public Schools

OFFICE OF HUMAN RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT → CLASSIFICATION → SENIOR BUYER

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Senior Buyer

MONTGOMERY COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS CLASS DESCRIPTION
OFFICIAL TITLE: Senior Buyer CODE: 0712 SQ/OQ: Not Applicable
WORKING TITLE: Senior Buyer GRADE: J MONTHS: 12
SUMMARY DESCRIPTION OF CLASSIFICATION: Under direction, performs lead and supervisory purchasing duties in connection with obtaining supplies, equipment and services for the operation of schools and offices. Is responsible for the following: serving as a senior technical expert in the procurement of complex goods or services as well as all types of procurement for MCPS; reviewing all Request For Proposals and bids of the buyers; analyzing the lease/purchase agreements of Request For Proposals and bids; monitoring legal and financial requirements for Request For Proposals and lease/purchase with attorneys who represent both MCPS and vendor; serving as MCPS representative at meetings of Council of Governments (COG) and Interagency Procurement Coordinating Committee (IPCC); representing the division at all Board of Education meetings where procurement action is on the agenda; representing department and division directors when requested; serving as evaluator for all procurement personnel evaluations and sitting with director during employee appraisal conference; and assisting the director with selection and training of new staff. Also, serves as a buyer under the buyer's class description, but this work normally comprises less than half of the work hours.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATION STANDARDS
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES: Thorough knowledge of a wide variety of material, equipment and services necessary for the efficient and effective operation of a public school system. Considerable knowledge of the laws, customs, processes and procedures involved in procurement. Excellent ability to write clear Request For Proposal (RFP) bid specification for all types of goods and services required by MCPS to enhance competition, to test materials, and to evaluate and analyze all offerings submitted by suppliers to insure bid specifications and objectives are met; considerable ability to determine substitutability of items. Excellent ability to express ideas well, orally and in writing, and to present self in an effective and professional manner when dealing with supplier representatives, Montgomery County Public Schools employees, and other governmental agencies. Ability to lead and supervise buyers and other staff. Considerable skill in dealing effectively with program users and supplier representatives. Skill in analyzing Requests For Proposals and bid quotations and in making recommendations concerning awarding of contracts. Excellent human relations skills. Must be an excellent manager of time, with capabilities to define priorities. Knowledge and application of the six leadership standards that have been established for the Montgomery County Association of Administrators and Principals (MCAAP/MCBOA) Professional Growth System (PGS).
EDUCATION, TRAINING, AND EXPERIENCE: Bachelors degree from an accredited college or university with a degree in business administration, marketing, or a related field. Graduate coursework and/or management/supervision classes preferred. Considerable increasingly responsible experience in procurement, including some supervisory experience. Other combinations of applicable education, training, and experience which provide the knowledge, abilities, and skills necessary to perform effectively in the position may be considered.
CERTIFICATE AND LICENSE REQUIREMENTS: Must possess or be able to obtain certification as a Certified Professional Public Buyer (CPPB) or Certified Public Purchasing Officer (CPPO) by the year 2000.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS: (Special requirements such as lifting heavy objects and frequent climbing.) None
SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS: (Frequent overtime or night work required, etc.) Occasional overtime, some night work and some weekend work may be required.
OVERTIME ELIGIBLE: No

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

From information submitted by school or office personnel, writes Requests For Proposal and bid solicitations for commodities and services to be purchased; edits requisitions from these sources; confers with MCPS officials regarding requirements, specifications, quantity, quality and delivery of merchandise, and delivery requirements; recommends alternative items to reduce cost or improve delivery time.

Prepares Request For Proposals and bid invitations; solicits and analyzes quotations for new, nonstandard, or specialized items; confers with supplier representatives to insure full understanding of bid requirements and to keep familiar with new or revised products, price changes, and other information that could materially affect the purchasing of items.

Maintains maximum competitive structure to insure most reasonable cost; conducts life-cycle cost analysis to determine costs over the life expectancy of products.

Evaluates quotations to insure specifications of bid are met and to determine low bidder; may test or assist in testing supplies and equipment offered by suppliers; makes recommendation concerning awarding of contracts, providing background data when recommending other than the low bidder.

Administers contracts and handles adjustments with suppliers involving such things as replacements of material not conforming to specifications, cancellation of orders, and insuring receipt of proper credit; prepares correspondence to suppliers to reconcile discrepancies and for other reasons. Assists in reconciling differences between MCPS and vendors.

Administers complex Request For Proposals for goods and services from initial request through award; this includes analysis of all lease/purchases and handling legal and financial requirements with attorneys.

Attends monthly meetings of Council of Governments (COG) and Interagency Procurement Coordinating Committee (IPCC).

Assists director with hiring and training of new employees; serves as evaluator and sits with director during employee performance interviews.

Signs contract documents within limit of signatory authority.

Advises the director of potentially controversial matters and far-reaching implications of rendered decisions.

Performs related work as required.
Class Established: 7/92
Date(s) Revised: 7/93, 10/94, 8/97, 7/2007, 11/14
Last Reviewed:

This description may be changed at any time.