Compensation Range:

Our full-time positions come with an array of excellent benefits including comprehensive healthcare coverage, a pension plan, flexible spending accounts and even a tuition reimbursement program.

At Lancaster County, we understand the importance of work-life balance. That's why we offer paid time off for sick, vacation and holidays, an employee assistance program, and family medical leave.

If you're passionate about making a difference, apply today to join us in serving the community!

Job Description:

JOB SUMMARY

• The Buyer III is responsible for performing all facets of County government procurement including but not limited to preparing and coordinating Invitation for Bids (IFB) and Requests for Proposals, awarding contracts, preparing, reviewing and awarding County purchase orders.
• The goal of the Buyer III, as directed by the Director and Deputy Director of Purchasing, is to meet the purchasing needs of County departments within the guidelines of State and County policies and procedures.

REPORTING RELATIONSHIPS 

• This position supervises the Operations Team comprised of two (2) Buyer I (Warehouse) positions and a Courier position. 
• The Buyer III will report directly to the Deputy Director of Purchasing.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

• Manage the day-to-day workflow of Operations Team, as it relates to the timely receipt and delivery of mail, office supplies, and other goods.
• Supervise, manage, and evaluate work of Operations Team, providing coaching and mentoring as necessary.
• In consultation with Director, interview and make recommendations regarding new hires, terminations and other needed discipline within the Operations Team.
• Performs Operations Team evaluations and updates job descriptions, after consultation with Director. 
• Assists with the training and development of Purchasing Team to ensure sufficient cross-trained to maintain continuity departmental of services.
• Identify and address, after consultation with Deputy Director and/or Director, operational practice and performance inefficiencies.
• Update process and procedure documents, as assigned by the Deputy Director or Director.
• Prepare, issue and review Invitation for Bids (IFB), Requests for Proposals (RFP), Requests for Quotations (RFQ), and Requests for Information (RFI).
• Act as the purchasing representative to County departments and commodities, as assigned by Director.
• Analyze and recommend purchasing strategy.
• Prepare and review County purchase orders.
• Prepare, review, and manage County contracts, as assigned, in consultation with the Director.
• Review and obtain any legal opinions needed throughout the procurement process. 
• Provide guidance or instructions on procurement to County departments.
• Perform as a liaison between County and vendors.
• Oversee contractor or supplier performance.
• Establish and maintain County online vendor account access specific to the Purchasing Team.
• Assists in the supervision and coordination of multi-county and multi-municipality contracts.
• Provide coverage of Mailroom and Courier, as needed. 
• Develop a working knowledge of cooperative contracts available for County procurement.
• Develop a working knowledge of online government resources, particularly State and Costars contracts.
• Develop an understanding with PA County Code, and Lancaster County’s policies and procedures.
• Advise the Director of Purchasing of any issues affecting the County or the County departments.
• Participate, where assigned by the Director, on the SPCCPB (Southeastern PA Cooperative Purchasing Board), PAPPA (PA Public Purchasing Association), and the Lancaster County Cooperative Purchasing Board.
• Help develop strategies for online procurement services.
• Participate, where assigned by the Director, on committees or special projects.
• Perform other duties, tasks and special projects as required.

OTHER SPECIFIC TASKS OR DUTIES

•  Perform all other duties, tasks, and special projects related to position as required.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS 

• Bachelor's degree in Business Administration or a related field; OR
• Associate's degree in business administration or in a related field; AND Four or more years of related experience in performing the essential functions of this job; OR
• Four years of experience as a Buyer II; OR
• Any equivalent combination of education, experience and training that provides the required knowledge skills and ability to perform this job

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES 

• Strong contract experience.
• Strong knowledge of procurement process.
• Strong project management skills.
• Ability to work independently and remain focused on task.
• Ability to handle and resolve problems in a timely manner.
• Excellent organizational skills.
• Able to carry tasks to completion.
• Accurate and detail oriented
• Strong knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite required.  Knowledge of Workday beneficial.
• Working knowledge of budgets and spreadsheets.
• Strong professional ethics.  Requires a significant degree of discretion and judgement.
• Strong negotiation skills.
• Strong customer service skills.
• Excellent time management.
• Excellent interpersonal, verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to work on conceptual design and policy development on a team.
• Familiar with the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania's County Code.
• Perform all other duties, tasks, and special projects related to position as required.

REQUIRED LICENSES/CERTIFICATIONS/CLEARANCES

• Pre-employment background check, drug testing, and references.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS/WORK ENVIRONMENT

• While performing the duties of this position, the employee is frequently required to stand, sit, walk and talk and listen.
• Occasionally the employee will be required to travel by car to other county locations for meetings.
• Occasionally the employee will need to lift 50 lbs. or less.
• This is mainly a "desk" position using a computer and phone to communicate.

The County of Lancaster offers comprehensive benefits to our employees.  Read more about our benefits here.

Lancaster County Government provides Equal Employment Opportunity for all persons regardless of race, religion, age, sex, national origin, genetic information or disability. The County also observes all applicable laws regarding Veterans status. The County reflects this action in all areas of employment and compensation practices and policies. Employment with the County is based upon the ability to perform the job as well as dependability and reliability once an individual is hired.