Strategic Purchasing & Vendor Relations Lead

Personnel Board of Jefferson County; Birmingham (AL); On-site; USD 81,000 - 126,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical and dental insurance

Pension plan

Paid holidays

Sick and vacation leave

Job summary

The Personnel Board of Jefferson County in Birmingham, Alabama seeks a Purchasing Agent to oversee procurement operations, supervise staff, develop specifications and bid proposals, and manage vendor bids and contracts. You will issue purchase orders, maintain vendor relationships, and assist with budgeting while ensuring compliance with applicable regulations.

The role emphasizes cost-saving opportunities, process improvements, and ethical procurement practices within a governmental framework.

Qualifications

• Experience in purchasing, procurement, and/or acquisition to include sourcing of materials and supplies, contract administration, negotiation, vendor management, inventory management, and implementation of cost-saving strategies.
• Experience supervising professional and clerical personnel (e.g., approving leave, counseling employees and taking disciplinary action, and conducting performance appraisals).
• Experience in creating specifications and bid proposals, awarding bids, and creating purchase orders.
• Experience in data analysis (e.g., forecasting, market trends, strategic vendor engagement).

Responsibilities

• Direct the daily operations of the organization’s procurement activities to maximize value through strategic sourcing and supplier management.
• Collaborate with finance, legal, operations, and inventory management to align procurement with business objectives.
• Establish and maintain procurement policies and guidelines, ensuring compliance with state and federal laws when updating procedures.
• Procure and manage inventory to meet departmental operational needs.
• Develop and implement procurement strategies by analyzing market trends and supply chain risks to identify savings opportunities.
• Supervise staff by assigning work, providing feedback, and coordinating training.

Skills

Vendor negotiation

Budgeting & forecasting

Regulatory compliance

Procurement leadership

Data analysis

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Public Administration, Accounting, Finance, Purchasing/Procurement, or related field

Job description

The Personnel Board of Jefferson County in Birmingham, Alabama seeks a Purchasing Agent to oversee procurement operations, supervise staff, develop specifications and bid proposals, and manage vendor bids and contracts. You will issue purchase orders, maintain vendor relationships, and assist with budgeting while ensuring compliance with applicable regulations.

The role emphasizes cost-saving opportunities, process improvements, and ethical procurement practices within a governmental framework.