Buyer - Jobs in Surrey, BC

Job Description

The Surrey School District respectfully acknowledges that our schools reside on the traditional, unceded, and shared territories of Coast Salish peoples: The q íc y - Katzie, the qwa: nn - Kwantlen and the SEMYOME - Semiahmoo First Nations, who have been stewards of this land since time immemorial.Surrey Schools values an inclusive school district, where equity is deeply embedded and diversity welcomed. We are committed to creating and cultivating diverse, inclusive and barrier-free environments for all applicants, employees, students, and their families. We work to continuously grow and improve our practices, celebrate our differences, and empower people to promote positive change in our communities. Our identity, as Surrey Schools, is expressed in the shared values of openness, fairness and tolerance and recognize the importance of diversity of identity and thought. We are an equal opportunity employer and welcome applicants from all backgrounds.Surrey Schools, recipient of the BC Top Employers and Canadas Greenest Employer awards, is the largest school district in BC and the second largest employer in Surrey. Spread across one of the fastest-growing cities in British Columbia, Surrey Schools provides quality education to over 77,000 students with 124 schools sites and a variety of other learning facilities, offering a broad range of innovative programs and services to support the learning of our students. The Surrey School District team of approximately 13,000 employees works tirelessly every day to ensure that children are getting the best start they can, providing the preparation to be our leaders of tomorrow.Further information regarding our district is available on our website: https://www.surreyschools.caA Buyer performs work relating to the procurement of a wide variety of goods, materials,services and equipment for the school district. An employee in this classification processes requisitions, clarifies requirements with user departments, draws tenders, obtains and evaluates quotations, prepares and places orders, and ensures that orders are expedited. Considerable discussion with a wide range of users and suppliers is involved in locating sources of supply, determining suitability of goods available, and ensuring that they satisfy the needs of users. A Buyer also acts as a resource to staff throughout the district by providing advice and information regarding purchasing policies and procedures, markets and sources.A Buyer provides direction to clerical employees engaged in related work, and oversees use ofan automated tender system for certain items. Ensures that deadlines and user needs are metWork is conducted under the direction of management and involves the exercising of independent judgement and action within defined parameters.TYPICAL RESPONSIBILITIESReviews purchasing requisitions to determine the exact nature of goods and services orderedContacts originators and discusses and clarifies requirements, proposed end-users and possible alternativesWrites product descriptions and specificationsDevelops and authors requests for quotations (RFQs),and ensures that all related documentation is promptly processedAnalyses and evaluates bids and quotations and ensures that all comparative data is consideredSelects best alternative, and signs and forwards purchase orders for counter signing by manager and maintains confidentiality, as requiredReviews and considers new bidders and products and maintains liaison with vendors to consider products and resolve problemsUnder supervision, oversees contracts including monitoring, resolving problems and protecting the Districts rightsServes users by providing standard and district product catalogues, product cost information, sources, and organizing the ordering processLocates market sources for standard and non-standard itemsDiscusses requirements with suppliers, obtains all relevant information for evaluation and comparison purposes, and reviews findings with end-usersDiscusses problems relating to the quality or usefulness of purchases with user departmentsArranges for replacements or refunds with suppliers and negotiates the exchange of goodsSolves problems relating to purchasing duties. Expedites warranty claimsControls an automated tendering system used for the purpose of large orders of standard items such as annual school suppliesPlans, assigns, prioritizes and directs the work of clerical staff engaged in related work, informs the manager of any major problems or deficienciesRecommends changes to departmental documents and proceduresIdentifies specifics of such changes and prepares drafts of proposed forms and procedures as appropriateFacilitates strategic purchasing and provides advice, guidance and information regarding purchasing policies and procedures to district staffPerforms related duties, as requiredJOB REQUIREMENTSKNOWLEDGE, ABILITIES AND SKILLSAbility to satisfy multiple service requirements with urgent deadlinesKnowledge of the types, quantities, sources and prices of goods and services used by the school districtKnowledge of the practices, procedures and techniques used in large scale computerizedpurchasing operationsKnowledge of market conditions, price trends, delivery and pricing practices prevalent in both the public and private sectorsKnowledge of legislation regarding purchasing including, purchasing contracts, sale of goods bid and performance bonds, tendering, tax regulations, etc.Ability to interpret Board policies, regulations and procedures governing the purchase of goods and servicesKnowledge of business English and terminology related to departmental functionsAbility to organize, prioritize and coordinate work. Ability to assist and direct the work of junior staffAbility to solve problems related to the nature and scope of workAbility to evaluate the comparative quality and price characteristics of bids to determine the most appropriate suppliersAbility to prepare reports, correspondence and documents related to the procurement of goods, materiel, services and equipmentAbility to accomplish tasks using computers and departmental specialized software applications for word processing, spreadsheet, database, Internet, etc.Interpersonal skills and the ability to effectively work with staff and vendorsTRAINING AND EXPERIENCECompletion of grade 12 plus additional training at the post-secondary level in office practices and the utilization of softwareSuccessful completion of Level 2 of the Purchasing Management Association of Canada course leading to a Professional Purchasing DiplomaThree years’ previous experience in purchasing goods and services for large organizations, or an equivalent combination of training and experienceInterested and qualified applicants should apply by clicking apply online below by 4pm Wednesday February 15th, 2023. Be sure to upload resume and cover letter.Note: The successful applicant is required to consent to a Criminal Record Search prior to employment. Only applicants selected for interviews are contacted. To all others, thank you for your interest.Quick Apply

• Terms & Conditions
• New Privacy
• Privacy Center
• Accessibility

For Job Seekers

• Browse Jobs
• Advanced Job Search
• Emplois Quebec

For Employers

• Post a Job
• SimplyHired OnDemand

Stay Connected