Senior Buyer

The Surrey School District respectfully acknowledges that our schools reside on the traditional, unceded, and shared territories of Coast Salish peoples : The q̓ ícə̓ y̓ - Katzie, the qʼwa : n̓ƛʼən̓ - 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 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.

Spread across one of the fastest-growing cities in British Columbia, Surrey Schools provides quality education to over 82,000 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.

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. Performs 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

TRAINING, EXPERIENCE & LICENCES

BENEFITS

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.

APPLICATIONS

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.

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