Senior Buyer

Surrey Schools values an inclusive school district where equity is deeply embedded, and diversity welcomed. We acknowledge the profound responsibility we all have in ensuring that our schools and district sites foster an atmosphere where everyone feels secure, respected, and valued. Our commitment to providing a quality education extends beyond academic excellence; we are committed to creating and cultivating diverse, inclusive, and barrier-free environments for all applicants, employees, students, and their families. Our identity, as Surrey Schools, is expressed in the shared values of openness, fairness and tolerance and recognizes the importance of diversity of identity and thought. We are an equal opportunity employer and welcome applicants from all backgrounds.

THE ROLE

• A Senior Buyer performs work relating to the procurement of a wide variety of goods, materials, services, and equipment of a high dollar value and of a complex nature for the School District.
• A Senior Buyer is utilized as a liaison with other stakeholders and may represent the purchasing department on various committees as needed.
• Monitors purchasing activity for opportunities for e-procurement, vendor development, contract administration, and other operational efficiency improvements.
• Monitors’ volumes and workloads to ensure deadlines and user needs are met. Perform tasks as a senior purchasing team member and provides direction and guidance to Purchasing Staff as needed. Submits recommendations for improvements to Management. Assists Buyers (as needed) to meet customer service levels in peak periods of activity. Work is conducted under the direction of Management and involves the exercising of independent judgment and action within defined parameters.

TYPICAL RESPONSIBILITES

• A Senior Buyer is responsible for acting as a project manager for competitive bid projects including:
• Working with end user department representatives to determine product specifications, service requirements, necessary vendor certifications, project timelines, and other requirements to ensure that end users get a solution that is optimized to provide the best value when considering quality, schedule, and cost.
• Development of competitive bid documents including Request for Proposal (RFP), Request for Quote (RFQ) and Request for Supplier Qualifications (RFSQ). Conceptualizing and creating bid document strategy including quantitative and qualitative evaluation questions, bid evaluation criteria, and other requirements necessary to determine the best value to the organization for each specific project.
• Management of competitive bid projects in accordance with legal and treaty obligations to prevent court and tribunal challenges.
• Formation, training, and guidance of the bid evaluation team comprised of end user representatives from stakeholder departments to ensure fair bid evaluations that are defensible against trade tribunal or legal challenges.
• Prepares final evaluation analysis and forwards to user departments for review and award.
• Constructs Approval of Award for stakeholder sign off and support of award decisions as determined by the end user department.
• Preparation of Approval of Award documents for sign off by the Secretary-Treasurer or their delegate.
• Preparation of contract documentation that ensures that suppliers are accountable for the quality, price, schedule, qualification, and legal obligations associated with the project.
• Contract management to ensure that chosen suppliers meet all commitments and, where necessary, take corrective action for any issues of concern.
• Reviews purchasing requisitions to determine the appropriate methods of acquisition through value analysis and determines appropriate competitive bidding tools and methods.
• Interprets and applies District policies and regulations, and follows Trade Agreement procurement processes (NWPTA, CFTA, WTO, NAFTA, etc.).
• Ensure district privacy compliance requirements are met and maintains internal and external confidentiality, as required.
• Under supervision, oversees contracts including monitoring user serviced contracts, resolving problems and conflicts both internally and externally through constructive, mediation of disagreements that minimize District’s legal risks.
• Serves users by providing standard and district product catalogues, product cost information, sources, and organizing the ordering process.
• Monitors and reports cost savings and cost avoidance for the purchasing department.
• Obtains statistical data and prepares reports to management for department associated activities. Provides guidance and direction for donation processing.
• Locates market sources for standard and non-standard items. Discusses requirements with suppliers, obtains all relevant information for evaluation and comparison purposes, and reviews findings with end-users.
• Recommends changes to departmental documents and procedures. Identifies specifics of such changes and prepares drafts of proposed forms and procedures as appropriate.
• Provides assistance to District Procurement Card users.
• Organizes operational meeting content with Management and staff. Prepares short - and long- term goals for their areas of responsibility.
• Provides guidance and support to Buyers and other Purchasing staff and assists in their training.
• Performs related duties, as required.

JOB REQUIREMENTS

KNOWLEDGE, ABILITIES AND SKILLS

• Knowledge of the types and appropriate use of Competitive Bidding tools, RFP, RFQ, and RFSQ.
• Knowledge and experience with Canadian procurement law, treaty obligations, public procurement competitive bidding methodologies, WorkSafe BC requirements, and other legal requirements.
• Knowledge of the practices, procedures and techniques used in a large, high volume computerized public purchasing operation.
• Knowledge of market conditions, price trends, delivery and pricing practices prevalent in both the public and private sectors.
• Communicates effectively with a variety of stakeholders in writing (briefings/presentations) and verbally (meetings, one-on-one). Knows the audience and can adjust the communication accordingly, adapting to questions and audience needs. Projects a positive and poise presence; is influential, present, and attentive.
• Ability to apply global supply chain methodologies and strategies to obtain best value.
• Ability to interpret and apply under direction, all purchasing policies, regulations and procedures governing the purchase of goods and services.
• Ability to satisfy multiple service requirements with urgent deadlines. Ability to organize, prioritize and coordinate work.
• Demonstrated ability to direct the work of other purchasing staff.
• Ability to solve problems related to the nature and scope of work using quantitative and qualitative analytical skills.
• Ability to evaluate quantitative and qualitative data of bids to determine the most appropriate suppliers.
• Ability to prepare reports, correspondence and documents related to the procurement of goods, services and equipment.
• Ability to accomplish tasks using computers and departmental specialized software applications for word processing, spreadsheet, database, Internet, bid posting, bid receipt, bid evaluation, contract award, and contract management, etc. (intermediate or advanced levels)
• Interpersonal skills and the ability to effectively work with vendors. Ability to work as a member of a collaborative team.
• Experience leading cross-functional project teams in a complex business environment, with multiple stakeholders and strategic considerations.
• Sound judgement and business acumen as analysis, trade-offs and decisions are informed by a broad, comprehensive, and long-term view while taking into consideration internal and external stakeholders. Has a strategic thinking mindset reflected in their day-to-day work; can “connect the dots” understanding how one issue or decision impacts others.
• Plans-ahead, problem solves, increases efficiency for the Department and District.
• Skill in making process improvements by being open to stakeholder recommendations for innovations and changes.
• Ability to develop collaborative relationships within, and with external partners in support of district objectives.
• Ability to understand the value of workforce diversity and the importance of including different perspectives to inform solutions to business problems. Ensures that decisions support the broader needs of the organization.
• Ability to manage stress, a high volume, variable workload, and competing demands. Promotes and manages resiliency. Is self-aware and understands how their behaviour impacts others.
• Ability to lead by demonstrating commitment and accountability. Is open to learning and demonstrates through their actions the importance of self-development.
• Accountable influencer that shapes perspectives and drives results.

TRAINING, EXPEREINCE & LICENCES

• Six years recent purchasing experience in a public organization
• Supply Chain Management Professional Designation (SCMP)
• Membership in good standing in the Supply Chain Management Association of Canada
• Knowledge of the types and appropriate use of Competitive Bidding tools, RFP, RFQ, RFT, RFSQ, RFI and EOI.
• Knowledge of public procurement provincial/federal laws, legislation and treaties.

This is a unionized position that offers an hourly wage rate of $39.69 per hour plus a liberal benefit package including pension, health, vacation, and sick benefits, effective date per collective agreement.

Qualified applicants can apply by clicking the "apply" button to the right of the posting.

Note: Only those applicants selected for interviews will be contacted. To all others, thank you for your interest.

This job is classed under Procurement and purchasing agents and officers (NOC 12102) in Canada’s National Occupational Classification (NOC). Here’s how NOC describes the work in general; the posting above has the details for this job.

Procurement and purchasing agents and officers source and purchase general and specialized equipment, materials, business services and land or access rights for use or for further processing by their establishment. They are employed throughout the public and private sectors.

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