Purchasing Specialist - Purchasing Division

City of Savannah; Savannah (GA); On-site; USD 45,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

The City of Savannah Purchasing Department seeks a Purchasing Specialist to manage procurement activities and ensure compliance with city policies. You will communicate with departments and vendors, review bids, and support sourcing strategies to secure quality goods and services.

You will develop procurement solutions, maintain records, and monitor purchases while coordinating with inventory and management.

Qualifications

• Associate or Technical Degree or equivalent.
• 1–3 years of procurement or contract administration experience.
• Valid state driver’s license with acceptable driving history.
• Experience in local government is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Executes purchase orders and contracts.
• Reviews and prepares specifications.
• Reviews tabulations and evaluates purchases for quality and cost.
• Researches bid solicitations, price, and availability.
• Prepares approval authorizations and conducts pre-bid meetings.
• Develops procurement strategies and monitors all purchases.
• Maintains active vendor lists and ensures proper vendor insurance.
• Provides guidance to departments on procurement policies and standards.
• Meets with vendors about solicitations and current orders.
• Analyzes goods and materials for compliance with specifications.
• Performs total cost reviews and contract evaluations.

Skills

Procurement

Contract administration

Vendor relations

Negotiation

Analytical thinking

Education

Associate degree

Technical degree

Job description

Are you looking for a new career with purpose? The City of Savannah Purchasing Department seeks a highly motivated, engaged, and detail-oriented Purchasing Specialist with a strong customer-service focus to join our team. We are committed to attracting, preparing, promoting, and supporting our team. As the Purchasing Specialist, you will be responsible for purchasing goods and services that adhere to City procurement policies and procedures.

The role of the Purchasing Specialist is to manage the procurement activities of the Purchasing department. This role is essential to facilitating communication and understanding between City departments and vendors, quality assurance, and liaising with inventory teams and management. The Purchasing Specialist is also responsible for the timely delivery and resolution of supply issues and discrepancies. The Purchasing Specialist will work with staff across departments to forecast the needs of the business and make purchase decisions based on demand.

As a dynamic member of the Purchasing Department, the successful Purchasing Specialist must be able to develop efficient procurement solutions and support senior management with the development and implementation of sourcing strategies. Ultimately, an outstanding Purchasing Specialist will have a keen sense of business, maintain meticulous transaction records, excellent communication and negotiation skills, be an analytical thinker, astute, and demonstrate a good working knowledge of purchasing strategies.

We at the City of Savannah provide benefits that include health/dental/vision, retirement plans, wellness programs, vacation, sick leave, and 12 paid holidays.

Women, minorities, and Veterans are encouraged to apply. We are a Veteran-friendly employer.

• Executes purchase orders and contracts.
• Reviews and prepares specifications.
• Reviews tabulations.
• Evaluates purchases, commodities, and services to ensure quality and the least expense.
• Researches bid solicitations, price, and availability.
• Prepares approval authorizations.
• Conducts pre-bid meetings.
• Reviews sole-source purchases.
• Provide guidance to departments on City procurement policies and standards.
• Meets with vendors to discuss future solicitations and current order status.
• Reviews agency and small department purchase orders.
• Analyzes and evaluates goods and materials for compliance with specifications and standards.
• Conducts total cost reviews.
• Researches, compiles, and prepares written analysis for each contract evaluation.
• Maintains active vendor lists.
• Prepares contract addendums.
• Ensures proper vendor insurance coverage.
• Develops procurement strategies.
• Monitors all purchases.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Requires an Associate or Technical Degree equivalent; with one to three years of procurement or contract administration work experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Must possess and maintain a valid state driver’s license with an acceptable driving history.

Experience working in a local government is a plus.

Must possess and maintain a valid state driver’s license with an acceptable driving history.

Work Location

305 Fahm St.

Work Hours

8 am - 5 pm, Monday-Friday

Additional Requirements

Background investigation, including supervised drug screen, post offer/pre-employment medical screen, and verification of education, certifications, and licenses required prior to employment.

• Knowledge of the public purchasing principles and practices, including competitive bidding procedures.
• Knowledge of relevant local, state, and federal regulations.
• Knowledge of the methods and techniques used in the grading and analysis of the quality of supplies, materials, and equipment.
• Knowledge of computers and job-related software programs.
• Knowledge of supply sources.
• Skill in establishing priorities and organizing work.
• Skill in developing specifications for purchases.
• Skill in public and interpersonal relations.
• Skill in oral and written communication.