Buyer (Purchasing)

Shelby County Government; Memphis (TN); On-site; USD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

Shelby County Government seeks a procurement analyst to manage the complete cycle of formal and informal solicitations and related purchasing activities in accordance with applicable policies and ordinances. The role requires strong task management and clear communication with county departments and vendors.

The position emphasizes adherence to procurement guidelines, timely execution, and ability to train staff while maintaining accurate purchasing records.

Qualifications

• Two (2) years of purchasing experience including complete cycle of formal solicitations.
• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in business administration, public administration, or related field; OR an equivalent combination of education/experience.
• One (1) or more Purchasing certifications such as NIGP-CPP, CPPB, CPPO, CPM, CPSM preferred.
• Proof of education, training, and/or experience required.
• Oracle experience preferred.

Responsibilities

• Processes formal solicitations (Sealed Bid; RFP; RFQ; and RFI) including execution of an award by purchase order or contract.
• Processes informal solicitations including execution of an award by purchase order or contract.
• Understands and applies Shelby County Government purchasing policies/procedures and ordinances.
• Completes all tasks on time and accurately.
• Supports and informally trains user departments as needed.
• Identifies purchasing concerns and participates in resolutions.
• Monitors and keeps purchasing spreadsheets updated.
• Serves as backup for other Buyers when needed.
• Maintains excellent verbal, written, and interpersonal communication with user departments and vendors.
• Performs other related duties as required.

Skills

Purchasing experience

Formal solicitations

Task management

Effective communication

Multi-tasking

Microsoft Office

Education

Bachelor’s degree in business administration/public administration or related field

Equivalent combination of education/experience

Purchasing certification(s) such as NIGP-CPP/CPPB/CPPO/CPM/CPSM preferred

Tools

Oracle

Purchasing systems

Job description

Position Summary

Performs the analytical and compliant duties involved in the governmental procurement process in accordance with all applicable policies and ordinances to include the facilitation of the comprehensive informal and formal solicitation processes.

Pay Grade: 49

Salary Commensurate with Experience and Education

Minimum Qualifications

• Two (2) years of experience in purchasing which includes experience working the complete cycle of formal solicitations; AND
• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college of university in business administration; public administration, or a closely related field; OR
• An equivalent combination of related education and/or experience.
• One (1) or more Purchasing certification(s) such as NIGP-CPP, CPPB, CPPO, CPM, CPSM is preferred.
• Oracle experience is preferred.
• PROOF OF EDUCATION, TRAINING, AND/OR EXPERIENCE IS REQUIRED.
  

Duties and Responsibilities

• Processes formal solicitations (Sealed Bid; RFP; RFQ; and RFI) as assigned or required to include the execution of an award by purchase order or contract.
• Processes informal solicitations as assigned or required to include the execution of an award by purchase order or contract.
• Understands and employs Shelby County Government purchasing policies/procedures and applicable purchasing ordinances.
• Completes all tasks timeline and accurately.
• Supports and informally trains user departments; needed.
• Identifies purchasing concerns; provides suggestions and participates in resolution as needed.
• Monitors and keeps Purchasing spreadsheets updated
• Serves as backup for other Buyers in their absence as required.
• Maintains excellent verbal; written; and personal communication with user departments and vendors.
• Performs other related duties as required or directed.
  

KSAs

• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment with good task management skills.
• Proficient Knowledge with system changes and process improvements.
• Knowledge of modern purchasing tasks; ideally in a governmental environment.
• Working knowledge of contemporary automated purchasing systems.
• Proficient Knowledge in Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook.
• Knowledge of state and federal purchasing guidelines; and best purchasing practices.
• Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing; and with a positive demeanor.
• Ability to working with multiple departments and cross functional teams
• Ability to exercise good judgment; discretion; self-motivation and multi-tasking.
• Ability to process requisitions.
• Ability to work effectively and diplomatically with colleagues; personnel at all levels of County Government; and vendors.
  

Special Requirements

• Must be able to work overtime as required.
  

Disclaimer

This position is subject to a background check for any convictions that have a substantial relationship to potential job duties. Only convictions that are substantially related to potential job duties will be considered and will not automatically disqualify the candidate.

Shelby County Resident Disclaimer

All employees hired after September 1, 1986, must be residents of Shelby County and shall continue to reside in the County as a condition of their employment. The residency requirement shall not apply to certain public safety/civil service employees. This means exemption from this policy is in effect for the following departments and positions: (1) Sheriff Deputy Patrol Officers, Deputy Jailers and Dispatchers, employed by the Sheriff Department, (2) Correction Officers employed by the Division of Corrections, (3) Firefighters, Paramedics and Dispatchers employed by the Shelby County Fire Department. The residency exemption for public safety/civil service employees does not include Appointed positions with Sheriff’s Office, Division of Corrections or the Fire Department.