Job Description:

We are currently seeking a Buyer who will advance the institution’s proud tradition of excellence in academics, student life and community service.

The Opportunity
You: You’re skilled at balancing long- and short-term goals, juggling many different projects at the same time and creating innovative solutions to challenges.

Your mission: We’ll rely on you to works with system departmental staff to handle formal solicitations and develop, evaluate and negotiate contracts for a wide range of products and services, ensuring that all purchases are made in accordance with HCC policies and applicable governing laws.

Your work: In this role, you’ll review client department requests and conduct advanced industry/product market research to identify alternative supply sources. You’ll coordinate the inclusion of small-business participation and handle complex acquisitions and prepare solicitation/award documents, including PRC summaries. Finally, you’ll maintain a bid calendar of current projects and contracts, and lead your team by promoting open, fair and competitive selection processes.

Next steps: If you always have the student experience in the forefront of your planning and execution, if you’re a collaborator, an innovator and a person who gets things done, apply today!

Job Summary

The Buyer is an entry-level position
that works with System Departmental staff to develop and evaluate solicitations
and negotiate terms of purchase for a wide range of products and services and
will handle all types of informal solicitations. Exercises independent judgment
and technical expertise in developing solicitation requirements, scopes of work
project specific terms & conditions, and evaluation criteria for
acquisitions as defined by Management. Ensures that all purchases are made in
accordance with HCC Policy, procedures and applicable governing laws.

 

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Review client Department requests for
relevance, and evaluate justification/input documents submitted by client
departments to assess appropriate use of processes.

 

Prepare responses to requests from
Supervisor and/or Director & Administration.

 

Under the direction of the Supervisor
and/or Director, provide guidance to System Departments regarding procurement
processes, providing technical expertise regarding appropriate procurement method,
scopes of services, market research, evaluation criteria and associated
weighting, and specific terms and conditions of purchase.

 

Conduct industry and product market
research (including issuing Requests for Information) to identify alternative
sources of supply.

 

Prepare solicitations to promote an
open, fair, and competitive selection processes.

 

Handle acquisitions of varying
degrees of complexity, prepares solicitation and award documents, including
Summary of Procurements and agenda items as needed.

 

Serve as a non-voting Chairperson of
Evaluation Committees to ensure an effective, transparent, unambiguous, and
fair process.

 

Review requests for non-competitive
solicitations (sole sources) and recommends specification changes to eliminate
all artificial barriers that may limit or reduce competition.

 

Prepare for, and participate with
Supervisor and/or Director in any protest hearings.

 

Coordinate the inclusion of Small
Business participation in accordance with current policy and procedures and
participates in Small Business events.

 

Prepare response for public records
requests.

 

Perform contract administration
including advising on contractual requirements to contractor and Client
Departments.

 

Consult with Supervisor and/or
Director and Client Department to prepare for meetings to resolve contract
disputes.

 

Prepare supplemental agreements,
contract modifications and change orders.

 

Prepare reports at the direction of
Supervisor and/or Director.

 

Attend meetings and functions,
including delivering presentations as directed by Supervisor and/or Director.

 

Provide procurement technical
expertise for projects and programs as assigned.

 

Perform other duties, tasks and
assignments as required.

 

QUALIFICATIONS

Education & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in
Business/Purchasing or any related field required

• 8 years of directly-related work
experience may be considered in lieu of required degree

• 3 years of purchasing experience
that displays hands-on experience in purchasing a broad range of materials,
equipment and services required

• Experience in purchasing and/or
procurement in an educational environment or governmental agency preferred

 

Licensing & Certification

• Valid Texas Driver License

• Certification in any of the
following (equivalent or advanced) preferred;

o Certified Professional Public Buyer
(CPPB)

o Certified in Supply Management
(CSM)

o Certified Texas Purchaser (CTP)

 

Special Skills

• MS Office Programs

• Information Management Systems

• Budget Management

• State of Texas Procurement Laws and
Regulations

• Delivering High Quality Work

• Accepting Responsibility

• Serving Customers

• Supporting Organizational Goals

• Driving Continuous Improvement

• Acting with Integrity

• Thinking Critically

• Managing Change

• Communicating Effectively

 

Working Conditions

General office.
May frequently be required to walk; stand; sit; use hands to handle or feel;
reach with hands and arms; and talk or hear. Specific vision abilities required
by this job include close vision and distance vision. Use of personal computing
equipment, telephone, multi-functioning printer, photocopier, file cabinets,
and calculator. Manual dexterity, ability to lift up to 25 pounds, ability to
reach and bend, and use 2-step stool while safely lifting and lowering boxes.
Ability to travel to and from meetings, training sessions or other
business-related events. May be required to work after hours to include
weekends and holidays.

 

SECURITY SENSITIVE: This job class may contain positions that are security sensitive and
thereby subject to the provisions of Texas Education Code § 51.215

  

The Organization

Houston Community College (HCC) is composed of 14 Centers of Excellence and numerous satellite centers that serve the diverse communities in the Greater Houston area by preparing individuals to live and work in an increasingly international and technological society. HCC is one of the country’s largest singly-accredited, open-admission, community colleges offering associate degrees, certificates, workforce training, and lifelong learning opportunities.

 

The Team
Play a central role at HCC as you keep our everyday operations running like clockwork. You’ll get the chance to make things happen and work closely with inspiring leaders across different parts of the institution. Whether your role is supportive, administrative, financial or something else, you’ll be part of a dynamic team that not only provides HCC students with cutting-edge academic and career tools, it also takes care of its people.

 

Location

Houston is a city with limitless possibilities:

• Fourth-largest city in the U.S. and home to 54 Fortune 500 companies, second only to New York City’s 55.


• Approximately 145 languages are spoken here.


• Overall after-taxes living costs are 5.6 percent below the average for all 308 urban areas recently surveyed.


• Houston is a major-league sports town, and don’t forget the annual Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo.


• The weather is great! Mild winters ensure that outdoor activities can be enjoyed year-round.


• World-renowned medical care. The Houston metro area has long been known for its first-rate healthcare system, with many Houston area hospitals consistently ranking among the nation’s top institutions.


• With over 150 museums and cultural institutions in the Greater Houston area, museums are a large part of Houston’s cultural scene. 


• Houston is the Culture & Culinary Capital of Texas with more than 7,500 restaurants and eating establishments covering 60+ cuisines.  

 

If this sounds like the role for you and you’re ready to join an amazing team, please apply right away. 

 

 

EEO Statement 

Houston Community College does not discriminate on the bases of race, color, religion, sex, gender identity and expression, national origin, age, disability, sexual orientation or veteran’s status.  The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding the non-discrimination policies:

 

Osvaldo Gomez, Director EEO/Compliance, Title IX Coordinator
Office of Equal Opportunity and Title IX

PO Box 667517                                   

Houston TX, 77266

713 718.8271 or hcc.oeotix@hccs.edu  

 

HCC values its employees and their contributions, promotes opportunities for their professional growth and development, and provides a positive working and learning environment that encourages diversity, innovation and creativity, and inclusion.

 

Individuals with disabilities, who require special accommodations to interview, should contact  (713) 718-8565.

Apply Now