Purchasing Agent

New Hanover County; North Carolina; On-site; USD 59,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

New Hanover County is seeking a Purchasing Agent to join the Finance Department. The role involves preparing specifications, soliciting bids, evaluating proposals, and preparing Board agenda items for award.

Responsibilities include managing the bid process, pre-bid conferences, contract review, and training staff on purchasing and accounts payable. A Bachelor's degree and 3 years of government procurement experience are required.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Business Admin, Public Admin, or related field.
• Three years of government procurement/contract management experience.
• Ability to work with state and county purchasing policies.

Responsibilities

• Monitors the County formal/informal bid process - reviews them for accuracy, solicits, and awards bids.
• Assists with pre-bid conferences, site visits, product demonstrations, and formal bid openings.
• Reviews county contracts to ensure adherence to State and County purchasing policy.
• Monitors purchasing functions and activities to ensure compliance with applicable County and State laws, including requisition entry and purchase order maintenance.
• Assists in the oversight of the disposal of confiscated, surplus, abandoned property, and liquidation and provides revenue accounts for proceeds.
• Reviews and makes recommendations to County policies and procedures related to purchasing, construction and contracted services.
• Analyzes and makes recommendations regarding outstanding purchase orders at year-end.
• Compiles financial information, analyzes County ledgers, and prepares reports for year-end audits.
• Provides purchasing, procurement, and accounts payable training to County officials and departments.
• Provides guidance to vendors and contractors on procurement policies and opportunities.
• Promotes County SBE policy and procedures.
• Tracks contractor sales tax affidavits and prepares annual refund requests.
• Completes vendor’s request for credit application.

Skills

Procurement compliance

Contract analysis

Financial reporting

Accounting principles

Supervision

Communication

Interpersonal skills

Budgeting basics

Education

Bachelor's degree in Accounting/Business/Public Administration or related field

Tools

Computers & software

Job description

New Hanover County is looking for a Purchasing Agent to join the Finance Department.

The Purchasing Agent will work with various County departments to prepare specifications, solicit formal and informal bids, Request for Proposals, Request for Qualifications, attend pre-bid meetings, open bids, prepare bid tabulations, evaluate and recommend award of bid, and prepare agendas for Board approval.

Responsibilities for this role include:

• Monitors the County formal/informal bid process - reviews them for accuracy, solicits, and awards bids.
• Assists with pre-bid conferences, site visits, product demonstrations, and formal bid openings.
• Reviews county contracts to ensureadherence to State and County purchasing policy.
• Monitors purchasing functions and activities to ensure compliance with applicable County and State laws, including, but not limited to, requisition entry, review, and conversion and all applicable requisition and/or purchase order maintenance.
• Assists in the oversight of the disposal of confiscated, surplus, abandoned property, and total loss asset liquidation and provides revenue accounts for proceeds.
• Reviews and makes recommendations to County policies and procedures related to purchasing, construction and contracted services for the County.
• Analyzes and makes recommendations regarding outstanding purchase orders at the end of the fiscal year.
• Compiles financial information, analyzes County ledgers, and prepares reports for year-end audits.
• Provides purchasing, procurement, and accounts payable training to County officials and departments.
• Provides guidance to vendors and contractors on procurement policies and opportunities.
• Promotes County Small Business Enterprise (SBE) policy and procedures.
• Tracks contractor sales tax affidavits and prepares annual refund request.
• Completes vendor’s request for credit application.
• Performs work with regular and predictable attendance consistently meeting the scheduling needs as required by the county.
• Performs work during emergency/disaster situations.
• Performs other duties of a similar nature or level.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

Knowledge of state and county statutes governing purchasing and disposal activities; North Carolina General Statutes; accounting and financial principles; Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB) federal and state single audit requirements; banking services and systems; governmental purchasing procedures; cost analysis; supervisory principles.

Skilled in using computers and applicable software; analyzing contracts; preparing various financial reports; administering and evaluating bond projects; applying and interpreting accounting and financial principles; analyzing and interpreting financial data; analyzing and preparing contracts; managing and supervising various projects; supervising and evaluating employees; communication, interpersonal skills as applied to interaction with coworkers, supervisor, the general public, etc. sufficient to exchange or convey information and to receive work direction.

New Hanover County is dedicated to the recruitment and recognition of a talented and diverse workforce that is committed to public service. Our shared values of professionalism, innovation, equity, integrity, stewardship and accountability guide the way we conduct ourselves and deliver services to our customers. New Hanover County celebrates diversity in our employees’ backgrounds, beliefs, identities, and abilities, while supporting growth opportunities for all. Our talented team has a passion for providing care and services that effect change on the everyday lives of the citizens they encounter. The differences that unite us are a reflection of the community we serve. If this sounds like an organization that models the values you uphold, we invite you to join our team at New Hanover County.

Hours:

8:00 AM - 5:00 PM, Monday - Friday.

Must be available to report for emergency work assignment during emergency situations.

Employment Type:

Full-time, Exempt

Salary Information:

The target hiring range for this position is $59,168 to $79,877. The full salary range for an incumbent hired into this position is $59,168 to $100,586. Starting salary will be based on qualifications, relevant experience, internal equity, and budget. Candidates with exceptional qualifications and experience may be considered for a starting salary above the target hiring range, but not to exceed the maximum of the salary range.

Required Education and Experience:

Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting, Business Administration, Public Administration, or related field, and three (3) years of progressively responsible government procurement, contract management and related experience; or an equivalent combination of training and experience sufficient to successfully perform the essential duties of the specific position as listed above.

In compliance with G.S. 153A-94.2(b), if this position requires an applicant for employment to work with children in any capacity, the county must require the applicant to undergo a criminal history record check conducted by the SBI for all offers of employment made after October 1, 2025. These checks must be performed in accordance with G.S. 143B-1209.26, which authorizes the SBI to provide fingerprint-based state and national criminal record checks to cities and counties. Additional information on how to complete this required check will be provided to the selected candidate after an offer of employment is accepted.