Senior Purchasing Specialist - Fleet Purchasing and Contracts / Programs

Job Title : Purchasing Agent

Reporting directly to the Deputy Purchasing Agent and a Purchasing Manager, responsible for performing advanced purchasing, contracts, and programs tasks that support the daily operations of the Williamson County Purchasing Department. Contributes to two divisions with shared duties for the Purchasing Department : Fleet Purchasing and Contracts and Programs.

Examples of work performed include : reviewing and processing requisitions and purchase orders per policy; performing various program audits and collaborating with Williamson County Auditor's Office; performing various quality control measures for all contract documents; assuring that anticipated expenditures are legal and properly authorized prior to encumbering funds and best value is achieved for purchases; analyzing high volume materials and services to determine the best sourcing strategy between competitive bid and cooperative purchasing methods; working with vendors / contractors to aid their understanding of the purchasing requirements for local governmental entities; preparing and administering complex and high dollar invitation for bid and request proposals, with minimal supervision; facilitating proposal evaluations with evaluation committees and vendor presentations; reviewing and analyzing vendor award information and processes award recommendation for Commissioners Court award; meeting with departments on large purchases for fiscal year; serving as liaison for department heads on formal solicitation process; processing requisitions and approvals of purchase orders up to $100,000; researching, reviewing, and assisting in the development of complex contracts, assuring proper documentation is obtained and prepares for agenda item placement; processing sole source requests and prepares them for Commissioners Court placement; serving as primary contact for internal and external customers on solicitations and large purchase agreements during the solicitation process; leading projects and training new staff to department standards and quality expectations; administrating the purchasing system permissions process to align with policy for new hires and position changes for employees that need to issue and approve requisitions; performing contract compliance by ensuring terms, legality and conditions are met; assisting in and coordinating contract development to include but not limited to new agreements, renewals, amendments, consent to assign and contract termination including defining requirements, negotiating, identifying objectives, and implementing guidelines and project regulations; assisting in administering other county purchasing programs such as Amazon Business, Office Depot, and Procurement Cards; collaborating with the County's Budget and Audit offices to ensure expenditures are properly authorized; assuring purchases meet policies and compliance requirements implemented by federal, state, and local laws; maintaining all electronic and physical purchasing files; providing customer service to customers and staff via telephone, email or in person; attending all meetings and trainings, as required; performing special duties as assigned.

Organization relationships include reporting directly to the Deputy Purchasing Agent and Purchasing Manager, with no direct reports. Physical demands involve prolonged sitting at a workstation, visual examination of documents, reaching, walking, twisting, bending, standing and occasional lifting / carrying. Position is in office and on premises. Work is primarily indoors in an air-conditioned environment, with travel between work sites as required. Irregular hours may require work outside of the normal office hours (Monday-Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.). Work may be required outside of normal office hours, and may be deemed essential personnel in the event of an emergency. Regular attendance is required.

Minimum qualifications include an associate degree and four (4) years of purchasing related experience (i.e., finance, accounting, etc.) or an equivalent combination of education and experience; one (1) year of demonstrated lead or supervisory experience; knowledge of local, state, and federal government finance practices; and working knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite. Licenses and certifications required within thirty (30) days of employment include a valid Texas driver's license. Preferred qualifications include an associate degree in a related field; three (3) years of public purchasing experience in a government capacity; knowledge of Enterprise Resource Planning purchasing software (ERP) including Oracle; proficient data entry skills with the ability to type up to 55 words per minute; and National Purchasing Association Certification. Employment is contingent on passing any post-offer pre-employment screening, including a criminal background check and motor vehicle record check.

Williamson County is a tobacco free workplace. The use of tobacco products is prohibited on all Williamson County premises. Employees who violate this policy are subject to appropriate disciplinary action up to and including termination of employment. Williamson County offers a full range of employee benefit programs for eligible full-time employees, retirees, and their families, including group health plans for medical and dental coverage; an Employee Assistance Program (EAP); life; short-term disability and long-term disability insurance; and flexible spending accounts for health care and dependent care reimbursements. The County also provides retirement benefits. Full-time & part-time employees participate in the Texas County & District Retirement System (TCDRS), and employees may also participate in a retirement savings program (Deferred Compensation). In addition to these basic employee benefits and retirement services, employees benefit from a variety of other programs including 12 paid holidays. For more details please contact Williamson County Human Resources at 512-943-1533.