Buyer – 12mth Term (2)

Job Posting

Halifax Regional Municipality is inviting applications for two, up-to-12-month term Buyer positions in the Procurement Division of Finance and Asset Management. Halifax Regional Municipality (HRM) is committed to reflecting the community it serves and recognizing Diversity and Inclusion as one of the Municipality’s core values. We have an Employment Equity Policy, and we welcome applications from African Nova Scotians and Other Racially Visible Persons, Women in occupations or positions where they are underrepresented in the workforce, Indigenous/Aboriginal People, Persons with Disabilities and 2SLGBTQ+ Persons.  Applicants are encouraged to self-identify on their electronic application.

Under the direction of the Inventory Administration Supervisor, the Buyer is responsible for the timely and accurate procurement of goods and services in response to requests from HRM Business units. Buyers are strategically placed at high-volume worksites within HRM and are typically a business unit’s primary point of contact with Procurement. Buyers assist their Business unit clients to meet their service delivery objectives through procurement of required materials and have a direct impact on the consistency and integrity of operational and financial information recorded in SAP and Fleet Focus Systems.

Buyers provide time-sensitive guidance and advice to clients on HRM Procurement policy, Procurement services, procedures, processes, and best practices. Buyers are responsible for monitoring procurement activities, controlling HRM Inventory assets in excess of $5 million dollars, and carry out purchases in excess of $12 million dollars annually. Buyers manage supplier relationships, conduct routine supplier business reviews and meetings, evaluate supplier performance and vendor compliance, report on issues identified and escalate as needed. Buyers must have a broad knowledge of HRM Business Units’ operation and requirements along with extensive knowledge of their supplier community. Buyers are expected to learn a complex IT landscape, utilizing two interfaced ERP systems, SAP, and Fleet Focus.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
•Source all inventory materials and apply the appropriate procurement delivery approaches (i.e., standing offer, low value purchase, competitive public bidding, alternative procurement process, etc.).
•Prepare competitive bid documents for stock and special-order items, conduct invitational bidding processes and award to successful bidder in compliance with the Procurement Policy to obtain best value for HRM.
•Recommend alternatives sources for materials and logistics when established sources are unable to meet operational requirements.
•Perform material requirements planning (MRP) including the determination of appropriate physical inventory levels and adjustments through the application of inventory control principles.
•Create, organize, and prioritize requisitions and purchase orders.
•Approve purchases within their delegated authority level.
•Manage the ordering process from requisition to receipt, expediting orders and tracking shipments including in transport to ensure deadlines are met. Provide tracking and scheduled arrival updates and ongoing communication until product is received.
•Create and manage SAP Materials Master (MM) and Purchasing Info Records (PIR)
•Maintain inventories, monitor usage inconsistencies, price changes, pack changes and vendor back orders.
•Address inbound order issues, returns, re-core, and supplier recalls.
•Arrange for warranty and rebuild services.
•Oversee inventory to investigate and process discrepancies and prevent stock-out and over stock materials.
•Investigate invoice discrepancies for resolution to allow for reconciliation (i.e., packing slips, goods receipt, damaged, quantities received, undelivered and on backorder).
•Vendor performance management through support and communication, monitoring vendor activities, capabilities, and performance
•Evaluate low value purchases for compliance.
•Identify non-compliance with procurement processes.
•Perform scheduled physical inventory counts and assist with count reconciliation.
•Participate in continuity of operations plan by assisting in urgent situations and/or emergency management operations. Tasks assigned may differ from regular duties during an emergency.

QUALIFICATIONS
Education and Experience:

• Minimum three (3) years customer service experience.
• Completion of a recognized business, procurement, or supply chain management program.
• 3 years’ experience in a high-volume procurement operation using ERP software.
• Extensive experience sourcing & purchasing heavy & light automotive repair parts is an asset.
• A suitable combination of education and experience will be given consideration.
• There is a requirement to complete the Public Sectors Procurement Essentials course PSPP 101 within twelve (12) months of assuming this position. The successful candidate must enroll in and successfully complete service in-house SAP, Fleet Focus, and purchasing courses during their training period.

Technical / Job Specific Knowledge and Abilities:

• A strong knowledge of HRM’s procurement Policy & Processes to carry out responsibilities and to direct, inform and guide clients.
• A strong knowledge of SAP and Fleet Focus functionality and how data interacts between systems.
• Intermediate to advanced Microsoft Excel spreadsheet skills.
• A strong ability to learn, understand and master the complexities of two interfaced business systems.
• Strong ability to learn and use technical parts and service manuals using different supplier Platforms (CatView, Adobe Acrobat, Web based or paper copies.).
• Thorough inventory management expertise and market supply knowledge.

Security Clearance Requirements:  Applicants may be required to complete an employment security screening check.

Please note – Testing may be conducted as a component of the selection process to assess technical and job specific knowledge. Candidates, who are selected for testing, may be tested in a group setting, scheduled at the employer’s discretion.

Competencies:  Analytical Thinking, Organization & Planning, Customer Service, Teamwork & Cooperation, Communication, Valuing Diversity

WORK STATUS: 12 Month Term, Full-Time

HOURS OF WORK:  8:00am-4:00pm, Monday-Friday; 35 hours per week

SALARY:  Level 5, $28.54/hour as per NSGEU Local 222 Collective Agreement

WORK LOCATION:  Will be required to work at various locations throughout HRM as operationally required (40 Alderney Dr, 150 Thornhill Drive, 200 Illsley Avenue,196 Waverly Road, Dartmouth and 110 Grassy Lake Road in Halifax.)

CLOSING DATE:  Applications will be received up to 11:59pm on Sunday, August 27, 2023

This is a bargaining unit position.  External applicants will only be considered if there are no qualified bargaining unit candidates.

Please note: We thank all applicants for their interest, however, only those selected for an interview/assessment will be contacted.

During the recruitment process, applicants have the right to request an accommodation.  Applicants invited to participate in an assessment process (such as an interview or testing) and who require accommodation, should discuss their needs with the Recruiter when invited to the assessment process.

(Position # 78628696 and 72284224)