Senior Lead, Buyer - Procurement

Houston City College in; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Houston Community College seeks a Senior Lead, Buyer - Procurement (Education) to lead daily sourcing activities, draft solicitations and negotiate agreements with suppliers. You will guide staff on procurement laws, ensure open competition, and manage complex acquisitions in alignment with college policies.

The role emphasizes contract negotiation, market research, and strategic sourcing within the education sector, with collaboration across supervisors, directors, and campus stakeholders.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Purchasing or related field required.
• 8 years directly related experience may be considered in lieu of required degree.
• 5 years combined experience in purchasing department operations, procurement management, and contract law required.
• Experience in a public procurement and contracting, educational or governmental agency environment preferred.

Responsibilities

• Provide leadership for daily sourcing staff and assist Supervisor/Director with planning, reports, and Board of Trustees agenda items.
• Prepare responses to requests from Supervisor/Administration.
• Interpret laws, policies, and regulations for purchasing and provide technical procurement guidance including market research and evaluation criteria.
• Review staff in preparing solicitations, write bid specifications and evaluation criteria for complex projects.
• Issue IFBs, RFPs/RFQs and select best source based on cost, quality and delivery.
• Negotiate and manage long-term pricing agreements on critical commodities or services.
• Conduct advanced market research and issue RFIs to identify alternative suppliers.
• Maintain knowledge of purchasing laws and best practices to implement sound procurement strategies.
• Perform contract administration and advise on contractual requirements.

Skills

Information Management Systems

Project Management

Procurement-related State of Texaslaws

Request for Proposals/Qualifications

Negotiation and Resolution

Education

Bachelor's degree in Business, Purchasing or related field

8 years directly related experience may be considered in lieu of degree

5 years combined experience in purchasing department operations, procurement management, and contract law

Experience in public procurement/governmental environment preferred

Tools

MS Office Programs

Job description

Senior Lead, Buyer - Procurement (Education)

JOB SUMMARY

The Senior Buyer, Lead is responsible for ensuring the integrity of the procurement process through the coordination and monitoring of purchasing and contract management activities for HCC.

Oversees the daily activities of the processing of purchase requisitions and purchase orders, as well as, drafting and reviewing of solicitations, while adhering to the Board of Trustee policies, applicable laws and regulations.

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.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Provide leadership for the daily activities of the sourcing staff; assists the Supervisor and/or Director with planning initiatives, generating reports, and preparing agenda items for approval by the Board of Trustees.

Prepares responses to requests from Supervisor & Administration.

Provide guidance and assist internal and external customers by interpreting laws, policies, codes, and regulations pertaining to purchasing, provide technical expertise regarding appropriate procurement method, scopes of services, market research, evaluation criteria and associated weighting, and contract specific language.

Review and assist staff in preparing solicitations for all goods and services, to include writing bid specifications, evaluation criteria, and scopes of service/work for complex, technical, or unique projects.

Issue bids (IFB), requests for proposals/qualifications (RFP/RFQ) and selection of best source consistent with cost, quality and delivery requirements.

Negotiate and manage long-term pricing agreements on critical commodities or services.

Conducts advanced industry and product market research (including issuing Requests for Information) to identify alternative sources of supply.

Maintain knowledge of current and new developments in purchasing and contract negotiation/administration including laws, regulations, theories, best practices, and technology to implement sound business practices.

Perform contract administration including advising on contractual requirements to contractor and Client Departments.

Under the direction of the Supervisor and/or Director, facilitates quality control by maintaining templates for solicitations and by ensuring fair and open competition.

Prepare supplemental agreements, contract modifications and change orders and reports.

Prepare and lead negotiation strategies to obtain the best pricing, terms and conditions, and payment terms.

Handle complex acquisitions and prepare solicitation and award documents, including Summary of Procurements and agenda items as needed.

Review staff workload and make necessary changes to expedite the procurement process.

Serve as a backup to Supervisor and/or DirectorServe 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, protest hearings and contractual issues.

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.

Responsible for maintaining a bid calendar of current projects and contracts.

May provide guidance; attend meetings and functions, including delivering presentations as directed or in absence of Supervisor and/or Director.

Perform other duties, tasks and assignments as required.

QUALIFICATIONS

Education & Experience

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Purchasing or related field required
• 8 years directly related experience may be considered in lieu of required degree
• 5 years combined experience in purchasing department operations or procurement management, and legal aspects of procurement and contract law required
• Experience in a public procurement and contracting, educational or governmental agency environment preferred

Licensing & Certification

• Valid Texas Driver License
• Certification in any of the following (equivalent or advance) required; applicants who are not currently
• Certified, will be considered provided they agree to obtain the
• Certification within eighteen (18) months of employment (as a condition of their continued employment):
  • Certified Professional Public Buyer (CPPB),
  • Certified in Supply Management (CSM), or
  • Certified Texas Purchase (CTP)

Special Skills

• MS Office Programs
• Information Management Systems
• Project Management
• Procurement-related State of Texas laws and regulations
• Request for Proposals/Qualifications
• Negotiation and Resolution

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

Houston is a city with limitless possibilities:

• 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].