Lead Purchasing Agent

Veterans Health Administration; Durham (NC); On-site; USD 53,000 - 69,000; Full time

Job summary

Veterans Health Administration in Durham, NC seeks a Lead Purchasing Agent to manage procurement for the Logistics Service within the VA Health Care System. You will issue and review purchases for Veterans, ensuring compliance with VA regulations and micro-purchase rules.

You will lead three or more Purchasing Agents, distribute workload, and train staff while maintaining accurate procurement data and reports. This role requires independent problem solving and adherence to federal guidelines.

Qualifications

• Leads three or more Purchasing Agents and resolves staff concerns independently.
• Procures items under micro-purchase threshold in compliance with VA regulations.
• Advises approving officials and purchase card holders on procurement procedures.

Responsibilities

• Issue, review and procure prescribed items for Veterans per VHA guidelines.
• Fulfill acquisition requests under micro-purchase threshold using the government purchase card.
• Distribute workload, ensure timely completion, and review work for compliance.
• Instruct and train Purchasing Agents in tasks and techniques.
• Develop reports and spreadsheets; enter, update and retrieve procurement data.

Skills

Procurement

Team leadership

Purchase card management

Tools

MS Excel

Procurement systems

Job description

• Department: Department of Veterans Affairs

This position serves as a Lead Purchasing Agent for the Logistics Service within the VA Health Care System within the Durham VA Health Care System and supported catchment area.

Key Responsibilities

The Lead Purchasing Agent is responsible for issuing, reviewing and or procuring prescribed items to Veterans in compliance with VHA guidelines and directives.

As a purchase card holder, fulfills acquisition requests under the federal micro-purchase threshold, ensuring purchases are procured in accordance with federal and VA regulations, policy and procedures with responsibility for work leading to the purchase of a wide variety of complex and highly specialized services, supplies, equipment, and systems.

Duties include, but may not be limited to the following: Lead Duties - Leads three or more Purchasing Agents performing work at or below the GS-6 level; serves as first respondent to any staff concerns related to procurement or purchase orders and is expected to work independently to resolve those issues, only escalating unresolvable issues; distributes and balances the workload among employees; assures timely accomplishment of assignments; and reviews completed work for compliance; instructs Purchasing Agents in specific tasks and job techniques; and, identifies training needs and provides on the job training to new Purchasing Agents.

Purchasing and Procurement Support - Conducts purchasing for the VA HCS and supported catchment area under the micro purchase threshold; purchases various equipment, supplies, and services using the government purchase card for micro purchases; utilizes different ordering, reporting procedures, and purchasing methods depending on the type quantity, dollar value, and urgency of the requirement; provides administration and oversight on orders and services; advises approving officials and purchase card holders on purchase card program, procurement procedures and responsibilities.

Administrative Support - Serves as the first line of contact for medical staff and customers in regard to procured items; provides clerical support and coordination to approving officials and administrators; utilizes a variety of automated systems to enter, update, revise, sort, and calculate data; develops reports and spreadsheets, obtains, organizes, files and retrieves reports for briefing and presentation purposes. Performs other related duties as assigned.

Work Schedule: Full-Time, Monday - Friday, Rotating Schedule Telework: Not available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Position Description/PD#: Lead Purchasing Agent/PD99879S Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized

Requirements & Education

There is no educational substitution at this grade level.

Which agency is hiring for this position?

This position is with Veterans Health Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs.

What is the salary for this position?

The posted pay range is $52693 – $68502/yr.

What is the application deadline?

Applications close on 2026-10-16.

Who is eligible to apply?

This position is open under the 'Fed Transition' hiring path.