Buyer Specialist

Virginia's Community College System; Richmond (VA); Hybrid; USD 50,000 - 56,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid telework available

Job summary

Virginia's Community College System (VCCS) seeks a Buyer Specialist to perform transactional purchases for 23 colleges and the system office. The role requires ensuring purchases align with state laws and VCCS policies, while delivering efficient procurement and strong customer service.

The position offers hybrid telework options, a salary range of $50,000–$55,500, and opportunities to develop procurement expertise within a statewide Shared Services Center.

Qualifications

• Previous customer service or team‑oriented work experience is required.
• Some buying experience (purchasing, vendor management, inventory, or market research) is required.
• Current Virginia Contracting Associate (VCA) certification or ability to obtain within one year of hire.

Responsibilities

• Receive demand signals and purchase goods/services up to the small purchase threshold.
• Ensure all purchases are accurate, timely, and compliant with laws & policies.
• Use best practices to improve performance, compliance, and efficiency.

Skills

Customer service

Vendor management

Purchasing

Market research

Negotiation

Team coordination

Communication

Confidentiality

Education

Virginia Contracting Associate (VCA) certification

MS Office proficiency

Tools

e-procurement systems

eVA (state procurement system)

PeopleSoft

AIS

Job description

Working Title Buyer Specialist Role Title Procurement Officer I Role Code 19151‑SW FLSA Nonexempt Pay Band 04 Position Number 27000357 Agency VCCS-Shared Services Center Division Shared Services Center (Div) Work Location Botetourt - 023 Hiring Range $50,000 - $55,500 Emergency/Essential Personnel No EEO Category 2‑Professionals Full Time or Part Time Full Time Does this position have telework options? -Telework options are subject to change based on business needs- Yes Does this position have a bilingual or multilingual skill requirement or preference? No Work Schedule Monday-Friday
8-5

Sensitive Position No Job Description

Innovation allows an organization to make the most of every dollar spent. At Virginia’s Community Colleges System (VCCS), our compelling mission, our ambitious strategic plan and our fiscal realities challenge us to ensure that community college resources are maximized for the priority of student success and credential completion.

Nestled between the Blue Ridge and Appalachian Mountains, the VCCS Shared Services Center is centrally located to all 23 colleges in the VCCS, 43 miles from Blacksburg, VA, and a four‑hour drive from Washington, D.C. A vital part of the ever‑growing Roanoke Valley, Daleville is a haven for tourists and residents alike. Within an hour’s drive are the breathtaking Smith Mountain Lake, world‑famous Appalachian Trail, and many other outdoor activities, including golfing, biking, and hiking. The thriving Historic City Market in downtown Roanoke and the Daleville Town Center and Performance Pavilion also host farmers markets, community and cultural events, and festivals throughout the year.

The VCCS Shared Services Center is an innovation strategy to advance the priority of student success, reduce the administrative burden on individual colleges, consolidate transaction‑based functions, create economies of scale, and improve backroom process efficiency. This work allows the VCCS to better focus resources on the students – helping them start their educational journeys, persist, and succeed.

Under Their Direct Supervisor The Buyer Specialist Performs Transactional Purchases For a Wide Variety Of Goods And Services For The 23 VCCS Colleges, The System Office And The Shared Services Center. The Position

• Receives demand signals and purchases goods and services up to the small purchase threshold
• Ensures that all purchases are performed accurately, timely and in accordance with applicable state laws & policies and VCCS policies
• Employs best business practices to continuously improve performance, compliance, efficiency and effectiveness

KSA’s

• execute simple to moderately complex purchases of supplies, equipment, and services
• proficiently use automated procurement systems (e-procurement) to review and process requisitions through to a purchase order and acknowledgment
• analyze quotes and bids and make appropriate purchasing decisions
• fully manage procurement process for assignments from the need through the purchase order, including order status and invoicing discrepancies
• exercise sound judgment, solve problems, and attend to detail in a fast pace, team oriented and customer service-oriented environment
• work effectively with a wide range of constituencies
• provide exceptional customer service to internal and external customers in a professional manner
• complete assignments following procedures & processes within the policies & laws
• express thoughts clearly both verbally and in writing
• maintain confidentiality
• use the computer hardware and software required, including proficiency in MS Office

Minimum Qualifications

• Multiple years of customer service or team‑oriented work experience or a combination
• Minimal buying experience such as experience with purchasing, vendor management, inventory management, negotiations, market research, or project coordination
• Current Virginia Contracting Associate (VCA) certification or ability to obtain within one year of hire; see https://vip.dgs.virginia.gov/ for more information on VCA certification

Additional Considerations

• Knowledge of governmental procurement principles and ability to follow procurement policy and standard operating procedures
• Knowledge of Commonwealth of Virginia & VCCS procurement policies (VPPA, APSPM, etc.)
• Knowledge of eVA (state procurement system) and AIS/PeopleSoft
• Professional procurement certification(s): Virginia Contracting Officer (VCO), Certified Public Procurement Buyer (CPPB), Certified E‑Procurement Professional (CEPP) or other nationally recognized procurement certifications

Operation of a State Vehicle No Supervises Employees No Required Travel Less than 5%

Hybrid telework available!

Sponsorship will not be offered for this position.

In support of the Commonwealth’s commitment to inclusion, we are encouraging individuals with disabilities to apply through the Commonwealth’s Alternative Hiring Process. To be considered for this opportunity, applicants will need to provide their AHP Letter (formerly called a Certificate of Disability) provided by the Department for Aging & Rehabilitative Services (DARS), or the Department for the Blind & Vision Impaired (DBVI). Service‑Connected Veterans may also apply via the AHP if they also provide an AHP Letter. To request an AHP Letter, use https://www.dars.virginia.gov/drs/cpid/PWContact.aspx or call DARS at 800-552-5019, or DBVI at 800-622-2155

Background Check Statement Disclaimer The selected candidate’s offer is contingent upon the successful completion of a criminal background investigation, which may include: fingerprint checks, local agency checks, employment verification, verification of education, credit checks (relevant to employment). Additionally, selected candidates may be required to complete the Commonwealth’s Statement of Economic Interest. For more information, please follow this link: http://ethics.dls.virginia.gov/

EEO Statement The Virginia Community College System (VCCS) provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, political affiliation, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or other non‑merit factors.

ADA Statement The Virginia Community College System (VCCS) is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer and complies with the Americans with Disabilities Acts (ADA and ADAAA), to provide, reasonable accommodation to applicants in need of access to the application, interviewing, and selection processes when requested.

E-Verify Statement VCCS uses E-Verify to check employee eligibility to work in the United States. You will be required to complete an I-9 form and provide documentation of your identity for employment purposes.