Senior Buyer at Worcester Housing Authority in Worcester, Massachusetts

Job Description:

POSITION TITLE: Senior Buyer

DEPARTMENT: Purchasing

STATUS: Non-Exempt

SALARY: $31.21/hour (AFSCME Level 11)

ABOUT THE WHA:

At the Worcester Housing Authority (WHA), our mission is to enhance the Worcester community by creating and sustaining decent, safe, and affordable housing that champions stability and self-sufficiency for our residents. As the second largest housing authority in New England, widely recognized for our innovative and progressive programs, we're not just providing housing - we're building futures. We're looking for candidates who are mission-focused, goal-driven, and passionate.

The WHA is committed to developing and supporting a diverse, equitable, and inclusive community both inside and outside of the workplace. Representation is important; our clients come from all walks of life and, not unintentionally, so do our staff. We hire great people from a wide variety of backgrounds, not just because it's the right thing to do, but because it makes our agency stronger.

ABOUT THE POSITION:

Under the direction of the Vice President of Purchasing, the Senior Buyer will be responsible for the sourcing, preparation, and execution of informal quotes and formal competitive solicitations for goods and services purchased by the WHA. Daily activities include purchase order placements, purchase reconciliations, online contract catalog ordering, assisting the VP with formal public procurements, bids, and requests for quotes, contract database management, and assisting WHA departments with purchases and other purchase order-related activities. The Senior Buyer must rely on his/her working knowledge of public procurement laws and principles, including procurement laws from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, in addition to WHA procurement procedures.

This is a full-time (37.50 hours/week), fully benefitted, union position based in Worcester, MA. Please note that the salary for this position is set by union contract and is non-negotiable. Normal business hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and may require occasional overtime to accommodate project work. The WHA offers a robust wellness and benefits package, including generous paid time off, opportunities for training and development, and participation in a pension program. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the position.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

1. Process A/P invoices from all departments to ensure accuracy.
2. Reconcile all vendor statements; work with other WHA departments to ensure accounts are up to date.
3. Process all purchase orders in accordance with WHA protocols.
4. Set up contracts, non-catalog line items, and input new vendors into the Elite system.
5. Process fully executed contracts, amendments for extensions, bond requests and wage updates.
6. Submit public notices for bid solicitations and monitor critical deadlines, including new bids, re-bids, releases, pre-bids, openings, extensions, wage and bond updates, and yearly increases.
7. Responsible for the management and ordering of office supply inventory for Purchasing Department.
8. Assist the VP with other tasks as needed, including oversight of work delegated to supply team staff.
9. Maintain all contract log reports in Elite to reflect all contracts, including terms, expiration dates, required updates/documentation, and expenditures.
10. Train WHA staff and provide ongoing support of the processing of all A/P invoices, reconciliations, and Elite procurement processes as necessary.
11. Assist the VP with buying, posting, and administering an increasing number of bids procured using the COMMBUYS platform under the Operational Services Division.
12. Serve as the point person for the procurement module in the Elite system, including implementations, upgrades, and revisions to the module.

OTHER RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Performs similar job-related duties as assigned.

EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE AND SKILLS REQUIRED:

1. Bachelor's degree, preferably in business administration, management, or a related field.
2. One to three years of experience as a buyer in a similar role and/or public agency.
3. Massachusetts Certified Public Purchasing Official (MCPPO) designation required.
4. Knowledge and understanding of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts' procurement policies and federal HUD regulations.
5. Knowledge of RFQ/IFB/RFP bidding and purchase order processes and procedures.
6. Experience with procurement/financial management software.
7. Strong written, verbal, analytical, and interpersonal skills.
8. Ability to work independently, take initiative, organize and prioritize work, and to meet deadlines.
9. Supervisory experience preferred.
10. Excellent computer skills, specifically in Microsoft Teams, Word, Excel, and Outlook.
11. Ability to be relied upon to be available for work.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

1. Ability to spend prolonged periods sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
2. Ability to spend occasional periods standing and walking, including climbing stairs, as well as balancing, stopping, kneeling, crouching, and/or crawling.
3. Ability to occasionally lift, carry, push, or pull up to 50 pounds with or without assistance and with or without the use of devices and/or equipment to assist in the lifting effort.
4. Ability to bend, handle materials and tools or equipment, and reach with hands and/or arms.
5. Work may be performed with or without reasonable accommodation to a known disability.

Apply Now