TDA – Purchaser

TSABAA; Austin (TX); Hybrid; USD 64,000 - 67,000; Full time

Job summary

The Texas Department of Agriculture Financial Services Division is seeking a Purchaser in Austin, Texas. The role focuses on advanced purchasing, bid management, and contract administration to ensure compliance with state and federal requirements.

You will provide subject matter expertise, train agency staff, maintain procurement records, and develop purchasing policies while working under minimal supervision for the F&N division.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or higher is required; substitutions allowed for related work experience.
• At least 3 years’ work experience in purchasing, procurement and/or contracts.
• CTCM/CTCD or ability to obtain within 1 year of employment.
• Substitution: Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Public Administration, Accounting, Finance or related field may substitute for required work experience.

Responsibilities

• Plan, organize, coordinate and write complex specifications for bids and solicitations; prepare procurement documents and related correspondence.
• Prepare formal solicitations and award recommendations; set bid opening dates, post bids, attend vendor meetings, tabulate and award bids; issue purchase orders.
• Process purchase requests and convert requisitions to purchase orders; maintain detailed procurement records.
• Review requisitions for correctness, completeness, and compliance before processing procurement.
• Coordinate with vendors and agency programs to ensure timely delivery and resolve issues.
• Assist with HUB/MWBE strategies and goal attainment.
• Research, analyze, report and recommend procurement-related matters.
• Monitor agreements and ensure continuity of recurring services; update policies and procedures.

Skills

Purchasing

Procurement

Vendor relations

Attention to detail

Analytical thinking

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Job description

Salary Information: B21, $5,775.00-$5,985.00/MO.

State Classification: Purchaser V – 1934

FLSA Status: Exempt

Posting Number: 26-61375-2R

Location: Austin, TX

Telework Option: TDA does not offer telework, and all employees are required to be physically present for work.

WHO ARE WE

The Texas Department of Agriculture Financial Services Division supports TDA programs by performing financial duties in the areas of accounting, budget, purchasing, contracting, accounts payable and payroll.

WHAT YOU’LL DO

The Purchaser will perform advanced purchasing and procurement functions for the Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA) to ensure that all federal and state purchasing requirements are met in an accurate and timely manner. You will provide subject matter expertise, customer service assistance, and training to agency staff related to purchasing; ensure strict adherence to bid dates and specifications and serves as agency resource on all agency purchasing functions. You will work under minimal supervision with considerable latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment.

This position works solely for the Food & Nutrition (F&N) division.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Plan, organize, coordinate and write complex specifications for invitation for bids, request for offers, request for information and request for proposals; prepare procurement documents and related correspondence.
• Prepare formal solicitations as well as recommendations for awards of contracts; set opening dates for bids; post bids; attend vendor meetings; and tabulate, analyze and award bids, including issuance of purchase orders to vendors.
• Process purchase requests, convert requisitions to purchase orders, and maintain detailed records of items purchased in the procurement and contracting system.
• Review requisitions in the procurement and contracting system for correctness, completeness and compliance prior to processing agency procurement.
• Work with vendors for effective delivery of goods and services and with programs to document performance and resolution.
• Assist with HUB/MWBE strategies for goal attainment.
• Research, analyze, report, and recommend on matters related to purchasing.
• Review and track agreements in conjunction with divisions to ensure continuity of recurring services.
• Coordinate maintenance of procurement records, both hardcopy and electronic.
• Develop, update and maintain policies, procedures, rules and regulations for purchasing; and assist in monitoring purchasing staff compliance with policies and procedures.
• Follow all TDA policies and procedures.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS/REQUIREMENTS FOR THE POSITION (The application must state how each of the following qualifications are met – resumes do not take the place of the required state of Texas application which must be completed in CAPPS or WIT.)

• Bachelor’s degree (a high school diploma and two years of work experience related to the primary duties may substitute for the bachelor’s degree).
• Three (3) years’ work experience in purchasing, procurement and/or contracts.
• Certified Texas Contract Manager (CTCM) and Certified Texas Contract Developer (CTCD) or ability to obtain within (1) one year of employment.
• Substitution: Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Public Administration, Accounting, Finance or related field may substitute for required work experience.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Work experience as a purchaser in government developing solicitations and contracts for high-value or complex procurements.
• Certified Texas Contract Manager (CTCM) and Certified Texas Contract Developer (CTCD).

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES

Knowledge of purchasing and procurement methods and procedures; state procurement principles and practices; supply sources; the principles of business administration and accounting; negotiating contracts; preparing purchase orders, solicitations and contacts; and of policies and procedures of procurement and contract management.

Skill in resource planning and budget development for procurements; evaluating and understanding fiscal data for viability, capability, accountability and compliance with contract requirements; math aptitude; attention to detail; critical thinking skills providing customer service excellence to both internal and external customers; and in operating a personal computer with applicable software.

Ability to analyze, evaluate and summarize financial and management records for accuracy and compliance to procedures, rules and regulations; evaluate data for compliance with contract requirements; analyze problems, evaluate alternatives and recommend effective solutions; process information in a logical manner and to assess validity; adapt successfully and quickly to change and deliver quality results in a timely manner; plan, organize and work independently, as well as within a team environment; work effectively in high-pressure situations and manage a high-volume workload; and to exercise sound judgment and discretion.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS & WORKING CONDITIONS

Normal office work environment and may have exposure to dust and environmental allergens consistent with normal business activities and human contact. Mostly sedentary in nature but may involve walking; standing; pulling and pushing; kneeling, stooping, and bending; performing tasks requiring fine motor skills and coordination; and safely lifting and carrying items weighing up to 5% pounds. Must be able to work extended periods at a computer and may require working extended hours and some evenings and weekends, as needed. May involve travel (up to 5%), occasionally overnight.

TELEWORK & WORK HOURS

The agency does not offer telework. TDA employees are required to be physically present for work.

The agency’s core business hours are from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. TDA also provides limited customer service between 6:00-8:00 a.m. and 5:00-6:00 p.m.

We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment Visa.

BENEFITS

The State of Texas offers a variety of benefits for you and your family that are comprehensive and, on average, make up about one-third of total compensation. Benefits include:

• A valid government-issued driver’s license, which is recognized by the Texas Department of Public Safety and in good standing, and an acceptable driving record are required. TDA will verify this information with the Texas Department of Public Safety. Applicants with a driver’s license not issued by the State of Texas should obtain and be prepared to provide a copy of their current driving record on or before their first day.

Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO): TDA is an equal employment opportunity (EEO) employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, age, genetic information, military status, or protected activity.

Reasonable Accommodations: If you are scheduled for an interview and require any reasonable accommodation in our interview process, please inform the hiring representative who calls you to schedule your interview or an HR representative at 512-463-7423. Whenever possible, please give the hiring or HR representative sufficient time to consider and respond to your request.

TDA participates in E-Verify and will provide the Social Security Administration and, if necessary, the Department of Homeland Security, with information from each new employee’s Form I-9 to confirm work authorization.

H-1B Visa Sponsorship: We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment Visa.

Military and Former Foster Child Employment Preference: TDA complies with the provisions of the veterans and former foster child employment preference acts. Please contact our Human Resources-Veterans Liaison at [phone] for assistance.

Additional Military Occupational Specialty (MOS) Code or Crosswalk information is available from the Texas State Auditor’s Office at Property, Management and Procurement MOS Codes.