JOB SUMMARY
The Senior Buyer works with System Departmental staff to handle formal solicitations and develop, evaluate, and negotiate contracts for a wide range of products and services.

Exercises considerable independent judgment and technical expertise in developing contract requirements, contract-specific language, and detailed evaluation criteria for highly complex acquisitions as determined by Supervisor and/or Director.

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 evaluates justification/input documents submitted by client departments to assess appropriate use of processes.

Prepare responses to requests from Supervisor & Administration.

Under the direction of 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 contract specific language.

Conduct advanced 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 complex acquisitions and 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.

Participate with Supervisor and/or Director in consultation with General Counsel's Office regarding legal requirements and contractual issues.

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

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

Consult with Risk Management to establish insurance requirements for solicitations as needed.

Prepare responses 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 and reports.

Develop, analyze, and negotiate contracts to obtain mutually agreeable terms and conditions, and price.

Responsible for maintaining a bid calendar of current projects and contracts.

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

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

May provide guidance and represent the Department at meetings in the absence of Supervisor and/or Director.

Provide procurement technical expertise for projects and programs as assigned.QUALIFICATIONS
Education & Experience

• Bachelor's degree required in Business/Purchasing or any related field
• 8 years of directly-related work experience may be considered in lieu of required degree
• 5 years' experience in purchasing department operations and buying, or procurement management 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:oCertified Professional Public Buyer (CPPB)oCertified in Supply Management (CSM)oCertified Texas Purchaser (CTP)

Special Skills

• MS Office Programs
• Information Management Systems
• Budget Management
• State of Texas Procurement Laws and Regulations
• Request for Qualifications/ Proposals

Competencies

• 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. Must be able to perform all job requirements with or without reasonable accommodations; remain in a stationary position during shift; move items weighing up to 25 pounds; position self to operate job equipment; apply established protocols in a timely manner. Must access, input and retrieve information from technology devices; communicate with others to accomplish job requirements. 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

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 health care 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.