Senior Buyer

Houston Community College; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 70,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Houston Community College is seeking an experienced Senior Buyer to manage formal solicitations, develop contract language, and negotiate terms for a broad range of products and services. The role exercises independent judgment and ensures purchases comply with HCC policies and applicable laws.

The Senior Buyer will lead market research, guide departments on procurement methods, participate in evaluation processes, and coordinate with General Counsel as needed.

Qualifications

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in Business/Purchasing or related field.
• 8 years of directly-related experience may be considered in lieu of degree.
• 5 years’ experience in purchasing department operations or procurement management required.
• Experience in education or governmental procurement preferred.

Responsibilities

• Review department requests for relevance and assess appropriate use of processes.
• Prepare responses to Supervisor & Administration.
• Provide guidance on procurement processes, market research, evaluation criteria, and contract language.
• Conduct market research and issue RFIs to identify suppliers.
• Prepare solicitations to promote fair, open competition.
• Handle complex acquisitions and prepare contract documents.
• Chair Evaluation Committees to ensure fair processes.
• Review non-competitive solicitations and advise on competition.
• Consult with General Counsel on legal requirements.
• Prepare for protest hearings with Supervisor/Director.
• Coordinate Small Business participation.
• Consult Risk Management on insurance requirements.
• Prepare responses for public records requests.
• Perform contract administration and advise client departments.
• Prepare for meetings to resolve contract disputes.
• Prepare supplemental agreements, contract modifications and change orders.
• Develop and negotiate contracts for favorable terms and price.
• Maintain bid calendar and prepare reports.
• Attend meetings and deliver presentations.
• Provide procurement expertise for projects.

Skills

MS Office

Information Management Systems

Budget Management

Texas Procurement Laws

RFQ/Proposals

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Business/Purchasing

8 years of related work experience can substitute for degree

5 years in purchasing/procurement

Experience in education/government environment preferred

Job description

JOB SUMMARY

The Senior Buyer works with System Departmental staff to handle formal solicitations and develop, evaluate, and negotiate contracts for a wide range of products and services. Exercises considerable independent judgment and technical expertise in developing contract requirements, contract-specific language, and detailed evaluation criteria for highly complex acquisitions as determined by Supervisor and/or Director. Ensures that all purchases are made in accordance with HCC Policy, Procedures and applicable governing laws.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Review client department requests for relevance, and evaluates justification/input documents submitted by client departments to assess appropriate use of processes.
• Prepare responses to requests from Supervisor & Administration.
• Under the direction of Supervisor and/or Director, provide guidance to System Departments regarding procurement processes, providing technical expertise regarding appropriate procurement method, scopes of services, market research, evaluation criteria and associated weighting, and contract specific language.
• Conduct advanced industry and product market research (including issuing Requests for Information) to identify alternative sources of supply.
• Prepare solicitations to promote an open, fair, and competitive selection processes.
• Handle complex acquisitions and prepares solicitation and award documents, including Summary of Procurements and agenda items as needed.
• Serve as a non-voting Chairperson of Evaluation Committees to ensure an effective, transparent, unambiguous, and fair process.
• Review requests for non-competitive solicitations (sole sources) and recommends specification changes to eliminate all artificial barriers that may limit or reduce competition.
• Participate with Supervisor and/or Director in consultation with General Counsel’s Office regarding legal requirements and contractual issues.
• Prepare for and participate with Supervisor/Director in any protest hearings.
• Coordinate Small Business participation in accordance with current policy and procedures and participates in Small Business events.
• Consult with Risk Management to establish insurance requirements for solicitations as needed.
• Prepare responses for public records requests.
• Perform contract administration including advising on contractual requirements to contractor and Client Departments.
• Consult with Supervisor and/or Director and Client Department to prepare for meetings to resolve contract disputes.
• Prepare supplemental agreements, contract modifications and change orders and reports.
• Develop, analyze, and negotiate contracts to obtain mutually agreeable terms and conditions, and price.
• Responsible for maintaining a bid calendar of current projects and contracts.
• Prepare reports at the direction of Supervisor and/or Director.
• Attend meetings and functions, including delivering presentations as directed by Supervisor and/or Director.
• May provide guidance and represent the Department at meetings in the absence of Supervisor and/or Director.
• Provide procurement technical expertise for projects and programs as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS

Education & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree required in Business/Purchasing or any related field
• 8 years of directly-related work experience may be considered in lieu of required degree
• 5 years’ experience in purchasing department operations and buying, or procurement management required
• Experience in purchasing and/or procurement in an educational environment or governmental agency preferred

Licensing & Certification

• Valid Texas Driver License
• Certification in any of the following (equivalent or advanced) preferred:oCertified Professional Public Buyer (CPPB)oCertified in Supply Management (CSM)oCertified Texas Purchaser (CTP)

Special Skills

• MS Office Programs
• Information Management Systems
• Budget Management
• State of Texas Procurement Laws and Regulations
• Request for Qualifications/ Proposals

Competencies

• Delivering High Quality Work
• Accepting Responsibility
• Serving Customers
• Supporting Organizational Goals
• Driving Continuous Improvement
• Acting with Integrity
• Thinking Critically
• Managing Change
• Communicating Effectively

Working Conditions

General Office. Must be able to perform all job requirements with or without reasonable accommodations; remain in a stationary position during shift; move items weighing up to 25 pounds; position self to operate job equipment; apply established protocols in a timely manner. Must access, input and retrieve information from technology devices; communicate with others to accomplish job requirements. May be required to work after hours to include weekends and holidays.

SECURITY SENSITIVE: This job class may contain positions that are security sensitive and thereby subject to the provisions of Texas Education Code § 51.215

The Organization

Houston Community College (HCC) is composed of 14 Centers of Excellence and numerous satellite centers that serve the diverse communities in the Greater Houston area by preparing individuals to live and work in an increasingly international and technological society. HCC is one of the country’s largest singly-accredited, open-admission, community colleges offering associate degrees, certificates, workforce training, and lifelong learning opportunities.

The Team

Play a central role at HCC as you keep our everyday operations running like clockwork. You'll get the chance to make things happen and work closely with inspiring leaders across different parts of the institution. Whether your role is supportive, administrative, financial or something else, you'll be part of a dynamic team that not only provides HCC students with cutting-edge academic and career tools, it also takes care of its people.

Location

• Fourth-largest city in the U.S. and home to 54 Fortune 500 companies, second only to New York City’s 55.
• Approximately 145 languages are spoken here.
• Overall after-taxes living costs are 5.6 percent below the average for all 308 urban areas recently surveyed.
• Houston is a major-league sports town, and don't forget the annual Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo.
• The weather is great! Mild winters ensure that outdoor activities can be enjoyed year-round.
• World-renowned medical care. The Houston metro area has long been known for its first-rate health care system, with many Houston area hospitals consistently ranking among the nation's top institutions.
• With over 150 museums and cultural institutions in the Greater Houston area, museums are a large part of Houston’s cultural scene.
• Houston is the Culture & Culinary Capital of Texas with more than 7,500 restaurants and eating establishments covering 60+ cuisines.

EEO Statement

Houston Community College does not discriminate on the bases of race, color, religion, sex, gender identity and expression, national origin, age, disability, sexual orientation or veteran’s status. The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding the non-discrimination policies:

• Sandra B. Jacobson, J.D., M.Ed., SHRM-SCP, Interim Director of EEO and Compliance & Title IX Coordinator
• Office of Equal Opportunity and Title IX
• PO Box 667517
• Houston, TX 77266
• 713.718.8271 or [e-mail]

HCC values its employees and their contributions, promotes opportunities for their professional growth and development, and provides a positive working and learning environment that encourages involvement, innovation and creativity.

Individuals with disabilities, who require special accommodations to interview, should contact [phone].