Class Code: 00212
IOWA DEPARTMENT OF ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES –
HUMAN RESOURCES
PURCHASING AGENT 3
DEFINITION
Conducts formal
solicitation and bidding process for a variety of goods/services for multiple
state agencies/institutions; makes final decisions on procurement methods,
contract and purchase order terms/conditions; at this level, positions
investigate new products, supply sources, procurement strategies and promote
master contracts to political subdivisions and work with vender community/targeted;
performs related work as required.
The
Work Examples and Competencies listed are for illustrative purposes only and
not intended to be the primary basis for position classification decisions.
WORK EXAMPLES
Formulates
the purchasing policies and procedures for various state agencies to maintain
an economically adequate inventory of equipment, supplies, and materials;
ensures adherence to these policies.
Forecasts needs for supplies, equipment, and materials
and establishes a schedule of delivery for the items and maintains
relationships with agencies and vendors to assure purchase needs are met on a
timely basis.
Develops and maintains vendors’ bid files; attends/conducts
formal bid lettings, awards bids for equipment, materials, and supplies and secures
items at reasonable prices.
Writes product specifications for technical/major
purchases and verifies conformance of purchases to specifications.
Recommends items or services for purchasing on term
contracts and distributes contract material to agencies; assures that agencies
understand and can comply with the terms of the contracts.
Establishes
standards for determining when equipment is obsolete, surplus, or can be
disposed of and takes appropriate action.
COMPETENCIES REQUIRED
Knowledge of purchasing
methods and procedures including open-market purchasing methods, formal
contracting techniques and competitive bidding.
Knowledge of terminology
related to the procurement, shipment, and delivery of items.
Knowledge of the economic
factors of supply and demand as they pertain to the availability and pricing of
items.
Knowledge of product
specifications pertaining to standardized, expendable items and non-expendable
items.
Ability to conduct market
analysis including market conditions and pricing benchmarks.
Ability to research the
marketplace for new products, sources of supplies, materials, equipment and
suppliers.
Ability to market master
contracts to various state and local entities.
Ability to recognize, and
suggest remedies to problems which may arise in purchasing policies and
procedures.
Ability to communicate
effectively orally and in writing with suppliers and manufacturers’
representatives to write accurate product descriptions that reflect the
equipment and supply needs of the agency.
Ability to evaluate sample
items of supplies to determine conformance to product specifications to
evaluate the capability of suppliers in meeting the product demands of the
agencies.
Ability to deal skillfully
and tactfully with suppliers to ensure adequate and timely response to agency
purchasing needs.
Ability to implement and
practice such procurement policies and procedures that will assure overall
economic purchasing in the agency.
Displays high standards of
ethical conduct. Exhibits honesty and
integrity. Refrains from theft-related,
dishonest or unethical behavior.
Works and communicates with
internal and external clients and customers to meet their needs in a polite,
courteous, and cooperative manner.
Committed to quality service.
Displays a high level of
initiative, effort and commitment towards completing assignments
efficiently. Works with minimal
supervision. Demonstrates responsible
behavior and attention to detail.
Responds appropriately to
supervision. Follows policy and
cooperates with supervisors.
Aligns behavior with the
needs, priorities and goals of the organization.
Encourages and facilitates
cooperation, pride, trust, and group identity.
Fosters commitment and team spirit.
Expresses information to
individuals or groups effectively, taking into account the audience and nature
of the information. Listens to others
and responds appropriately.
EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE, AND SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS
Graduation from high school, or G.E.D., and eight
years of full-time work in the procurement of technical, standardized,
expendable and non-expendable items;
OR
graduation
from an accredited four-year college or university with a bachelor’s degree in
business or public administration, accounting or economics and four years of
the required experience;
OR
an equivalent combination of education and
experience substituting one year of education (30 semester hours or one year)
for each year of the required experience;
OR
graduate
course work from an accredited college or university in business or public
administration, accounting or economics, may be substituted to a maximum
substitution of one year (30 semester hours or one year) of the required
experience;
OR
employees with current continuous experience in the
state executive branch that includes experience equal to eighteen months as a
Purchasing Agent 2.
SELECTIVE CERTIFICATION
For designated positions, the appointing authority,
with Iowa Department of Administrative Services – Human Resources Enterprise
prior approval, may request those applicants possessing a minimum of twelve
semester hours of education, six months of experience, or a combination of
both, or a specific certificate, license, or endorsement in the following area:
140 data
processing
Applicants wishing to be considered for such designated
positions must list applicable coursework, experience, certificate, license or
endorsement on the application.
Effective Date:
09/07 JG