The posting
Processes requisitions into purchase orders to purchase goods and services for user Departments, within the department policies and procedures, Standard Operating Procedures, and the Augusta, GA Code of Ordinances, follows Federal, State and Local laws, and supervisors’ instructions.
Key Responsibilities and Performance Standards
- Receives, reviews, and evaluates purchase requisitions in the City’s CentralSquare system to verify accuracy, completeness, supporting documentation, funding information, and compliance with applicable procurement policies, procedures, and Augusta, GA Municipal Codes. Processes and oversees the issuance of purchase orders and ensures purchasing transactions are completed accurately and efficiently.
- Confers with supervisor to obtain direction regarding work assignments and priorities; organizes tasks in order to complete assigned work; monitors status of work in progress and inspects completed work; confers with co-workers; assists with complex/problem situations; provides technical expertise; and assists with training and instructing co-workers regarding operational procedures and proper use of equipment.
- Assists in resolving complex internal and external procurement and purchasing issues, including vendor non-compliance, late or damaged shipments, short shipments, emergency purchasing requests, and other time-sensitive or escalated matters. Coordinates with vendors, departments, Procurement leadership, and other stakeholders to research issues, identify appropriate solutions, and ensure timely resolution while maintaining compliance with applicable policies, procedures, and contractual requirements. Assists with the research, compilation, and processing of Open Records Requests related to purchasing and procurement activities.
- Maintains a consistently high-quality, customer-focused approach in all interactions and transactions, providing professional, responsive, and solutions-oriented service to internal departments, vendors, the general public, and other external customers. Serves as a knowledgeable resource to customers by providing accurate information, explaining procurement requirements and processes, and facilitating effective resolution of purchasing-related concerns.
- Provides vendor training and guidance regarding purchasing procedures, requirements, documentation, and applicable City procurement processes. Reviews and distributes completed purchase orders to vendors and requesting departments to facilitate timely fulfillment and accurate communication of purchasing requirements.
- Reviews and processes corrections and modifications to purchase orders and coordinates change orders to ensure purchasing records accurately reflect authorized changes. Assists in researching and resolving vendor disputes, discrepancies, and purchasing-related issues by coordinating with vendors, departments, and Procurement leadership.
- Serves as a liaison between City departments, field offices, and the Procurement Division, facilitating communication, resolving issues, providing technical guidance, and ensuring purchasing requirements and procedures are consistently understood and followed across operating units.
- Obtain price quotes from vendors, process purchase orders, distributes copies, and maintain files. Assist in vendor management. Maintains files as directed.
- Reviews emergency procurement requests for accuracy, completeness, and compliance with applicable procurement policies, procedures, and Augusta-Richmond County Codes. Verifies required supporting documentation and justification, identifying discrepancies or missing information, and coordinating with departments to resolve deficiencies. Prepares and generates reports related to emergency procurements to support procurement oversight, compliance, and management review.
- Performs other duties of a similar nature or level as required.
Education: Bachelor’s degree, BBA preferred, or associate’s degree in business, accounting or related field of study. certification in purchasing or related field preferred. Certification: Certification in purchasing or accounting is preferred.
Experience: A minimum of two years of experience with an Associate’s Degree, or certification, or five (5) years’ experience with a High School Diploma or G.E.D. Strong preference to Public Work Experience in a local municipality, city or state level. A combination of the above degrees, certifications, and years of experience may be considered.
Knowledge/Skills/Abilities:
- Must be able to work in a fast-paced environment, sometimes with shifting priorities.
- Must be able to make rational, good and solid judgement decisions.
- Thorough knowledge of standard procurement principles and best practices
- Proficiency in basic mathematics and interpersonal relations. Detail-oriented and well-organized
- Familiarity with Augusta, GA and departmental policies and procedures
- Good communication skills both written and oral. Demonstrated ability to work independently.
- Experience with Microsoft Office Suite such as Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook and Teams.
OTHER:
Travel from office to other locations may be required for this position.
PERFORMANCE APTITUDES
- Data Utilization: Requires the ability to review, classify, categorize, prioritize, and/or analyze data. Includes exercising discretion in determining data classification, and in referencing such analysis to established standards for the purpose of recognizing actual or probable interactive effects and relationships.
- Human Interaction: Requires the ability to work with others to build a united team effort. May assist with training.
- Equipment: Requires the ability to operate, maneuver and/or control the actions of equipment, machinery, tools, and/or materials used in performing essential functions.
- Verbal: Requires the ability to utilize a wide variety of reference, descriptive, and/or advisory data and information.
- Math: Requires the ability to perform calculations for essential job functions, specifically in Microsoft Excel
- Functional Reasoning: Requires the ability to apply principles of influence systems, such as motivation, incentive, and leadership, and to exercise independent judgment to apply facts and principles for developing approaches and techniques to resolve problems.
- Situational Reasoning: Requires the ability to exercise judgment, decisiveness and creativity in situations involving the evaluation of information against sensory, judgmental, or subjective criteria, as opposed to that which is clearly measurable or verifiable. Looking for a can-do, positive attitude and productive work environment.
- Physical Abilities: Tasks require the ability to perform sedentary to light work. Tasks may involve extended periods of time at a keyboard or workstation.
- Sensory Requirements: Some tasks require the ability to perceive and discriminate colors or shades of colors, sounds, depth, texture, and visual cues or signals. Some tasks require the ability to communicate orally.
- Environmental Factors: Essential functions are regularly performed without exposure to adverse environmental conditions. Local, out of office travel may be required.
