Buyer I or II

City Utilities; Missouri; On-site; USD 10,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking motivated individuals to join their procurement team. This role involves assisting in the procurement of essential commodities and services that support vital utility operations, ensuring compliance with regulations, and promoting effective communication with internal and external stakeholders. The successful candidate will be part of a progressive organization that values integrity, customer service, and community engagement. If you have a passion for procurement and want to contribute to a company that has been serving the community since 1945, this opportunity is for you!

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required; experience in procurement settings preferred.
• Knowledge of public procurement principles and regulations is essential.

Responsibilities

• Assist in procurement of commodities and services for utility operations.
• Ensure compliance with procurement policies and regulations.

Skills

Procurement Knowledge

Communication Skills

Technical Skills

Analytical Skills

Conflict Management

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Logistics and Supply Chain Management

Bachelor’s degree in Business or related field

Tools

Microsoft Office Suite

Electronic Procurement Applications

Job description

Connect to a career at City Utilities! CU has been connecting our community to the services they need for every day life since 1945. From electricity to power our lives, clean water to be healthy, natural gas to stay warm, internet to keep businesses connected, to transit services to get them where they need to go.

Work Schedule:

Monday - Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Salary:

SALARY Grade:
Buyer I – Grade 55
Minimum: $1,072.78/ week
Midpoint: $1,314.16

Buyer II – Grade 56
Minimum: $1,226.66/ week
Midpoint: $1,502.66

Job Description:

PURPOSE OF POSITION:

Buyer I

Under close supervision of the Supervisor-Purchasing, assists in the effective and efficient procurement of a variety of routine to moderately complex commodities, services, construction projects, and equipment to maintain and support electric, natural gas, water, transportation, and broadband services. Ensures procurements are made in accordance with City Charter of Springfield, Missouri, City Utilities (CU) policies and procedures, Federal and State statutes, and other applicable rules and regulations.

Buyer II

Under general supervision of the Supervisor-Purchasing, performs professional work and exercises independent action and judgment in procuring a variety of commodities, services, construction projects, and equipment that may be technical and complex to maintain and support electric, natural gas, water, transportation, and broadband services. Ensures procurements are made in accordance with City Charter of Springfield, Missouri, City Utilities (CU) policies and procedures, Federal and State statutes, and other applicable rules and regulations.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

Buyer I

1. Receives and reviews requisitions for adequate specifications and scope of work, proper descriptions, and completeness of information. Develops and prepares solicitations, assists with or conducts pre-bid/proposal conferences (when applicable), evaluates proposals, issues award(s) to responsible bidder(s), and executes contracts and change orders. Under the guidance of the Supervisor – Purchasing, utilizes strategic sourcing methods such as: consolidating like items into single bids, identifying contract and strategic alliance opportunities, and conducting negotiations (e.g., pricing, terms, etc.).
2. Promotes a professional, service-oriented attitude to assure customer needs are met. Responsible for providing both internal and external customer support as required to ensure questions and problems are resolved in a timely manner. Communicates with internal departments (Requisitioners, Risk Management, Environmental Affairs, Legal and Government Relations, etc.) to assure all matters are properly addressed and in the best interest of City Utilities. Acts as a consultant and provides guidance to internal customers regarding specification development, materials planning, event development, and state statutes, regulations, and procedures for obtaining desired goods and services.
3. Identifies, recommends, coordinates, and implements appropriate procurement methods to: 1) maximize the Purchasing Department’s contribution to City Utilities' strategic plan; and 2) assure that goods and services are received on or before the date needed.
4. Conducts research to gain knowledge of the products, prices, marketing practices, and capabilities of new requisitioned goods and services. Identifies, analyzes, and selects sources of supply. Meets with supplier representatives to review products/services and performance records. Visits supplier sites as needed.
5. Complies with Federal, State, and local procurement requirements (including environmental and Federal grant regulations), City Utilities’ Board and Management policies, and generally accepted public procurement practices. Recommends items for the development of Purchasing procedures and policies.
6. Responsible for performing and coordinating order follow-up activities, including expediting and tracing of shipments to ensure goods are received when scheduled and/or when needed. Coordinates and communicates order status and changes with receiving locations, internal customers, accounting, suppliers, and procurement staff, as needed. Resolves claims and contractual problems. With the assistance of the Supervisor-Purchasing, addresses supplier performance issues.
7. Oversees contract administration and management of assigned areas.
8. Performs all procurement functions using computerized applications.
9. Performs emergency procurements and other emergency functions during off hours as directed by management.
10. Assists in complying with and providing documentation for projects funded in whole or in part with Federal funding and other non-CU funded procurements which are often subject to an audit. Assist with maintaining CU’s DBE programs and associated reporting for FTA funded transit procurements. Assists in complying with and providing documentation for CU initiatives related to supplier diversity.
11. Travels to off-site locations for Pre-Proposal Conferences, Pre-Bid Meetings, storeroom visits, and to review and evaluate products for conformance to specifications, quality performance, etc. as needed.
12. Attends seminars, conferences, workshops, etc. for professional development purposes and continuing education credit for required certification as needed.
13. Performs other related duties as assigned by management such as: Surplus, Procurement and Travel Card Program, Prequalified Bidder Programs, Fuel Card program, etc.

Buyer II

**In addition to the Buyer I, a Buyer II has increased ownership in the tasks and responsibilities listed above, and the following will be expected of the Buyer II:

1. Recommends developments, implementation, and training for Purchasing’s computerized applications.
2. Assists with training department personnel.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Education and Experience:

Buyer I

• Bachelor’s degree required with a major in Logistics and Supply Chain Management, Business, or related field. Extensive professional experience as a buyer may be considered in lieu of a Bachelor’s degree.
• Two (2) years of recent progressively responsible experience in public and/or private procurement settings, logistics and supply chain management, a Buyer in a centralized public or utility procurement setting, or experience in positions with job responsibilities demonstrably relevant to that of a Buyer is preferred. Examples of relevant experience may include, but not necessarily be limited to, project planning/management, data analysis, project estimating/scheduling, enterprise resources planning, material requirements planning, technical writing, continuous/process improvement, operational leadership, supplier/client relations, forecasting, and industrial operations management.

Buyer II

• Bachelor’s degree with a major in Logistics and Supply Chain Management, Business, or related field is required.
• Two (2) years of recent progressively responsible professional experience as a Buyer I or as a Buyer in a centralized public or utility procurement setting with responsibilities relevant to a Buyer II is required. Examples of relevant experience may include, but not necessarily be limited to, project planning/management, data analysis, project estimating/scheduling, enterprise resources planning, material requirements planning, technical writing, continuous/process improvement, operational leadership, supplier/client relations, forecasting, and industrial operations management.
• Utility purchasing experience is preferred.

Licensing/Certification:

Buyer I

Certified Professional Public Buyer (CPPB), Certified Public Purchasing Officer (CPPO), NIGP Certified Procurement Professional (NIGP-CPP), or related professional purchasing certification is preferred. In lieu of a current certification, the willingness to pursue with the goal of obtaining an acceptable professional purchasing certification within a reasonable amount of time, as determined by management, is required.

Buyer II

Certified Professional Public Buyer (CPPB), Certified Public Purchasing Officer (CPPO), NIGP Certified Procurement Professional (NIGP-CPP), or related professional purchasing certification is required, or as determined otherwise by management, must be obtained within 36 months of hire.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

Buyer I

1. Procurement Knowledge:
   • Knowledge of (or a demonstrated skillset to obtain knowledge of) the principles and practices of public procurement
   • Knowledge of (or a demonstrated skillset to obtain knowledge of) mechanical, electrical, natural gas, water, and fiber material specifications
   • Knowledge of (or a demonstrated skillset to obtain knowledge of) Federal, State, and local procurement statutes and regulations (including EPA, DOE, FAR, FTA, and DBE procurement related requirements), City Utilities’ Board and Management policies
2. Communication and Technical Skills:
   • Effective oral and written communication skills
   • Must possess good computer aptitude and have a working knowledge and proficiency in various electronic programs including, but not limited to, Microsoft Office Suites (e.g., Excel, Word, SharePoint, Outlook, etc.), other applicable information technology applications, and self-service platforms
   • Ability to apply proper descriptive terminology or establish specifications for routine to moderately complex bidding scenarios
3. Business Relationships:
   • Perceptive and analytical with ability to create a cooperative environment in complex organizational relationships
   • Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with co-workers, CU internal staff, and suppliers
4. Decision/Judgment:
   • Ability to interpret and analyze data associated with routine to moderately complex bidding scenarios in order to recognize opportunities that are the most favorable to CU
   • Ability to handle sensitive information in a highly confidential manner
   • Ability to establish priorities and be well organized
5. Conflict Management:
   • Ability to appropriately utilize assertiveness skills and deal effectively with conflict.
   • Ability to work under pressure, meet deadlines, and make quick and appropriate decisions.
   Ability to successfully navigate various electronic programs including but not limited to Microsoft Office Suites, other applicable information technology applications, and self-service platforms.
   • Maintain adherence to all company policies.

Buyer II

**In addition to the Buyer I, a Buyer II is expected to have intermediate knowledge, skills and abilities listed above.

Buyer I or II

Physical Requirements:

Typically, sedentary work. Ability to express or exchange ideas by means of the spoken word and receive detailed information through oral communication is required. Substantial movements of the wrists, hands, and/or fingers, and close visual acuity to operate a computer is required. Bending and stooping may be required for filing and file retrieval.

Working Conditions:

Normal office environment

Miscellaneous Requirements:

• Must be able to work successfully with diverse groups of people.
• Employee must remain alert and aware of their surroundings at all times and maintain the ability to respond to changing circumstances in a timely manner.

TESTING:
Testing may be required.

EEO

City Utilities offers equal employment opportunities to individuals without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, ancestry, national origin, disability, age, veteran status, genetic information or marital status. Learn more about CU and EEO.

About Us

Here at CU, we pride ourselves on being a progressive, community-owned utility serving 320 square miles in southwest Missouri since 1945 with electricity, natural gas, water, broadband, and public transportation services.

Our vision is to deliver world-class services and exceptional value to our customers. This can only be accomplished by hiring and retaining world-class talent who embody our core values of safety, integrity, customer service, inclusion, leadership, and respect. These guiding principals support our vision and shape our culture and are used every day in everything we do while serving our community.

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