Public Sector Buyer - Construction & Contracts

Virginia Passenger Rail Authority; Alexandria (VA); On-site; USD 65,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

Virginia Passenger Rail Authority (VPRA) is seeking a Buyer to handle day‑to‑day purchasing for construction, architectural/engineering, consulting services and small goods. The role supports procurement and contract administration, requiring FAR and VPPA familiarity and strong negotiation skills.

The position covers Richmond and Alexandria with a 15% geographic pay differential; responsibilities include supplier diversification, contract compliance, and vendor management to optimize value and

Qualifications

• Minimum of four (4) years of relevant procurement experience with demonstrated knowledge of best practice procurement principles, public procurement law, and acceptable governmental procurement methods.
• Familiarity with every stage of a procurement, from preparing a scope of work to gathering quotes or preparing a request for proposal/qualifications, negotiating with vendors, and preparing written contracts.
• Knowledge of public procurement law, acceptable governmental procurement methods, terminology, and principles, including the Virginia Public Procurement Act (VPPA) and Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR).
• Skilled in negotiating costs to achieve the best value and mitigate risk across procurement activities for goods and services related to construction, engineering, and simple projects.
• Capacity to independently handle many assignments with minimal guidance and make effective procurement decisions.
• Strong analytical skills to evaluate business and procedural processes, identify inefficiencies, and eliminate non-value-added actions, for optimal resource utilization.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook) and other commonly used office software, such as Adobe, Dynamics 365, and Kahua.
• Excellent verbal, written, and interpersonal skills, with a proven ability to work effectively under pressure and meet deadlines.

Responsibilities

• Ensure that all purchases are performed accurately and timely, following applicable law and VPRA policies and procedures.
• Manage requisitions and confer with departments regarding requirements, specifications, quantity, quality, and delivery.
• Identify and cultivate dependable supply and service sources, actively promoting increased participation from small and diverse businesses (SWaM).
• Oversee all stages of the procurement process, ensuring compliance, timeliness, transparency, and strategic sourcing that aligns with VPRA's objectives and applicable regulations.
• Develop, negotiate, and manage strategic vendor agreements with consultants and contractors to ensure cost savings, risk mitigation, and compliance with VPRA policies, legal standards, and industry standards while monitoring contracts to uphold best practices and enhance procurement efficiency.
• Oversee contract compliance by managing change orders and adherence to terms and conditions;
• Identify and implement procurement and contracting methods that align with VPRA requirements, Federal grant regulations, industry standards, and marketplace best practices.
• Support procurement efforts to resolve issues by addressing disputes related to scope and performance and serving as an escalation point to mitigate risk and ensure smooth project execution, while maintaining clear communication with VPRA leadership.
• Prepare final project records for closeout and reporting while supporting spend analysis and sourcing development through accurate data collection and documentation.
• Provide guidance and training to staff on procurement best practices while staying current on market trends and product availability.
• Assist with vendor management and prospective bidders, communicating processes, policies, and procedures, and representing VPRA tactfully and professionally.

Skills

Public procurement

FAR familiarity

Negotiation

Analytical skills

Microsoft Office

Communication skills

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Bachelor's degree

Tools

Dynamics 365

Kahua

Adobe

Excel

PowerPoint

Job description

Virginia Passenger Rail Authority (VPRA) is seeking a Buyer to handle day‑to‑day purchasing for construction, architectural/engineering, consulting services and small goods. The role supports procurement and contract administration, requiring FAR and VPPA familiarity and strong negotiation skills.

The position covers Richmond and Alexandria with a 15% geographic pay differential; responsibilities include supplier diversification, contract compliance, and vendor management to optimize value and