Buyer

British Columbia Public School Employers' Association | Make a Future - Careers in BC Education; Kamloops; On-site; CAD 60,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Extended health & dental benefits

Group life & LTD insurance

Municipal Pension Plan

Job summary

School District No. 73 (Kamloops-Thompson) is seeking a Buyer to manage purchases of goods and services, evaluate suppliers, and coordinate with district staff to meet educational needs.

The role requires strong research, negotiation, and compliance with public sector procurement policies. Under limited supervision, the Buyer will handle requisitions, sourcing, tendering, contract administration, and records management, contributing to efficient district operations and cost-effective purchasing.

Qualifications

• Grade 12 completed with relevant SCM courses or equivalent.
• Completion of the 4 core SCMA SMT Technical courses: Procurement, Logistics, Transportation, Operations Management.
• Minimum of 4 years proven purchasing experience as an intermediate Buyer.
• Knowledge of public sector purchasing policies and NWPTA/TILMA/FOIA as applicable.

Responsibilities

• Receives and reviews purchase requisitions and consults with District staff regarding requirements for acquisition of equipment, supplies and services; recommends substitutes to improve delivery and/or costs.
• Monitors requisitions and orders for compliance; handles insurance, WorkSafe clearance, delivery dates, and order discrepancies; mediates disputes.
• Researches and selects suppliers based on reliability, price, specifications, terms and conditions.
• Contacts suppliers for price, delivery dates, quality and taxes; negotiates prices and delivery dates; places orders via phone, in person or electronically; maintains related records.
• Provides supply management information to internal and external agencies as required.
• Prepares specifications and documents for formal tendering of equipment, supplies and services using BC Bid process.
• Solicits and analyzes quotations; negotiates contracts and/or purchase orders.
• Answers inquiries and provides information on purchasing policies and procedures.
• Arranges reassignment or disposal of district equipment via BC Auction process.
• Maintains district Warehouse Inventory System module.
• Maintains annual service contracts and facility lease contract files as assigned.
• Follow safety procedures and participate in Health & Safety training; perform related duties as assigned.

Skills

Word processing & spreadsheets

Internet research

Public sector procurement knowledge

Organizational skills

Communication with staff and suppliers

Education

Grade 12

Procurement

Logistics

Transportation

Operations Management

4+ years purchasing experience

Tools

BC Bid platform

Job description

School District No. 73 (Kamloops-Thompson) is currently accepting applications for the position of Buyer.

This is a full-time permanent position. Following successful completion of the probationary period, the incumbent will be eligible for Extended Health and Dental Benefits, as well as Group Life and LTD Insurance. School District No. 73 belongs to the Municipal Pension Plan.

Under the limited supervision of the Purchasing Manager, the Buyer arranges for the purchases of goods and services requiring knowledge gained through research for the School District. Work is varied and requires the incumbent to comprehend, judge and make responsible decisions based on School District need and available product knowledge.

TYPICAL DUTIES:

• Receives and Reviews purchase requisitions and consults with School District staff regarding requirements for the acquisition of equipment, supplies and services, including specification, quantity, quality, costs and delivery dates: recommends substitutes to improve delivery and/or costs.

• Monitors Purchase Requisitions and Orders for compliance with contractual terms and conditions and carries out follow-up activities, such as monitoring insurance and WorkSafe clearance, delivery dates, resolving shipping problems, respond to inquiries and complaints, investigating order discrepancies, reviewing backorder situations, making price adjustments, and arranging for credit, return or exchange as appropriate; mediates disputes that may arise between parties.

• Researches and selects suppliers, goods and services according to reliability, price, specifications, terms and conditions.

• Contacts suppliers for information such as price, delivery dates, quality, suitability, and taxes; selects suppliers, negotiates prices and delivery dates and places orders for a variety of equipment, supplies and services either by phone, in person or electronically utilizing the computerized purchasing system, the Internet or other computerized software; and maintains related files and records.

• Provides relevant supply management information to appropriate internal and external agencies as required.

• Prepares specifications, conditions and legal binding documents for the formal tendering of equipment, supplies and services utilizing word processing and spreadsheet software and knowledge of the BC Bid process.

• Solicits and analyzes quotations from vendors in terms of price, quality and conformity to specifications and negotiates resultant supplies and services contracts and/or places purchase orders.

• Answers inquiries and provides information to District staff on purchasing policies and procedures.

• Arranges reassignment of District equipment internally, and disposal of obsolete equipment via the BC Auction process.

• Administers volume licensing software – example: Windows and Adobe.

• Assists with administering the district purchasing card program

• Maintains district atrieve Warehouse Inventory System module

• Maintains annual service contracts and facility lease contract files as assigned

• Required to follow all safe work procedures, participate in Occupational Health and Safety Training, and report any hazards in the workplace
• Performs other related duties as assigned

ABILITIES, KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS:

• Intermediate/Advanced ability in using Word Processing and Spreadsheet software, such as MS Word and Excel (or similar tools such as Open Office and Google docs and sheets).

• Ability to conduct extensive internet research and utilize internet business ordering portals.

• Knowledge of public sector legal requirements and related procurement practices as governed by NWPTA, TILMA, FOIA, AIT, and other trade agreements as applicable.

• Ability to organize and prioritize workload.

• Ability to communicate and maintain effective working relationships with District staff, in addition to various outside agencies/suppliers.

• Ability to comprehend and utilize applicable tax exemptions available to the School District.

• Ability to assign, direct and guide the work of those employees in a lower classification, as assigned by the Purchasing Manager.

• Ability to answer inquiries relating to technical purchases requiring significant research and provide appropriate information concerning Purchasing policies and procedures.

• Working knowledge of School District product and service requirements.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Grade 12

• Completion of the 4 core SCMA SMT Technical courses:
• Procurement
• Logistics
• Transportation
• Operations Management
• Minimum of 4 years proven previous work experience in Purchasing as an intermediate Buyer.

• Working knowledge of Public Sector Purchasing policies and procedures.

We thank you for your interest in employment with School District No. 73. However, please note only those individuals shortlisted to move forward in the selection process will be contacted.

School District No. 73 is an equal opportunity employer. All applications are considered on the basis of their suitability for the position(s), regardless of the gender, age, sexual orientation, religion, racial origin, marital status and/or disabilities of the prospective candidate.

If reasonable accommodation is required to fully participate in the job application or interview process, to perform the essential functions of the position, and/or to receive all other benefits and privileges of employment, please contact Associate Superintendent John Wiedrick, [e-mail].