Purchasing Agent

New Hanover County; Wilmington (NC); On-site; USD 59,000 - 101,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401k contributions

Paid sick leave & holidays

Medical, dental, vision insurance

Wellness center on site

Job summary

New Hanover County is seeking a Purchasing Agent to join the Finance Department. The role involves preparing specifications, soliciting bids, issuing RFPs/RFQs, attending pre-bid meetings, opening bids, and recommending award of contracts.

The position also supports training and monitoring procurement activities in line with state and county laws. The ideal candidate has a bachelor’s degree in accounting or related field and at least three years of government procurement experience, with strong

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Business Administration, Public Administration, or related field and three years of progressively responsible government procurement and contract management experience.
• Equivalent combination of training and experience acceptable.
• Experience with purchasing policies, bid processes, and contract oversight.

Responsibilities

• Monitors the county formal/informal bid process; reviews, solicits, and awards bids.
• Assists with pre-bid conferences, site visits, product demonstrations and bid openings.
• Reviews county contracts for compliance with state and county purchasing policy.
• Oversees requisition entry, purchase orders, and related financial processes for compliance.
• Assists in disposal of confiscated, surplus, and total loss assets and tracks proceeds.
• Provides guidance to vendors on procurement policies and opportunities.
• Promotes Small Business Enterprise (SBE) policy and procedures.
• Generates reports for year-end audits and maintains procurement records.

Skills

Procurement

Contract management

Financial reporting

GASB guidelines

Budgeting

Supervisory skills

Communication

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting/Business/Public Administration (or related field)

Job description

Position Information

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 ensure adherence 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.

Qualifications

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.

Other Information

Applicant Information

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.

New Hanover County is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

New Hanover County offers a competitive benefits package designed to encourage and support your health, well-being and productivity to include

• Employer paid 401k deferred compensation contributions (5% for sworn law enforcement and 2.5% for all other benefits eligible positions);
• Retirement plan through the NC Retirement system;
• Paid sick and personal leave + 13 paid holidays per year;
• Paid parental leave;
• Paid community services leave to give back to our community;
• Education leave to obtain a degree within your line of work;
• Medical, dental, vision insurance + many other insurance options;
• Employee assistance program;
• 100% employer paid long term disability;
• Onsite, employer-paid health and wellness center which includes a nurse practitioner and physical therapist;
• Professional development trainings & leadership initiatives;
• Opportunities to make a difference in your community;
• And so much more!

Benefit options for eligible positions include medical, dental, elective supplemental insurance options including short-term disability, vision, flexible spending accounts, voluntary term life, cancer, accident, and critical illness policies.

Employees who elect medical and dental insurance within the specified timelines provided during on-boarding, will have coverage effective on their date of hire.

Note: All positions listed as temporary, casual part time, volunteer, and intern are not eligible to receive benefits.

Part-time position with fewer than 20 scheduled hours per week will not include benefits.