Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago

Supervising Buyer (#20001823)

General Statement

Under direction, supervises the day-to-day procurement activities of Buyers and/or Senior Buyers in the Acquisition Division.

Essential Job Functions

Essential job functions are fundamental, core functions common to positions in a classification.  They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all job duties for any one position in the class.  Since class specifications are designed to be descriptive and not restrictive, incumbents may complete one or all of the job duties listed or tasks of similar kind not specifically listed here.
  • Ensures that procurement of goods and services complies with the District's Purchasing Act and internal policies. 
  • Reviews the activities and work products of Buyers and/or Senior Buyers. 
  • Reviews requisitions and change order requests from using departments prior to assignment to Buyers or Senior Buyers. 
  • Reviews Requests for Quotations and purchase orders prior to assignment to Buyers or Senior Buyers. 
  • Meets with potential vendors and acts as liaison between suppliers, requisitioners and vendors. 
  • Assists in the process of assigning NIGP commodity codes to vendors requesting to be added or changing information on vendor master database; monitors additions, updates and corrections to the vendor master database made by other staff. 
  • Assigns, supervises and reviews work; ensures staff compliance with District policies and procedures including Personnel Rules and Administrative Procedures; completes performance reviews; addresses employee complaints and grievances; may recommend employment actions such as hiring, transfer, suspension, promotion or discharge.

Other Job Functions

  • Recommends changes or improvements in workflow associated with the procurement process.  
  • Acts as Procurement Manager in their absence. 
  • Performs other duties as assigned.

Environmental Conditions

Work is performed in a typical office environment and requires the use of standard office equipment including computers.

Desirable Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

  • Considerable knowledge of generally accepted purchasing principles, practices, procedures, and statutory requirements applicable to large scale governmental purchasing.  
  • Considerable knowledge of contract development and administration.   
  • Considerable knowledge of supply sources for a wide variety of materials, supplies and equipment utilized by the District.    
  • Knowledge of recent developments, current literature and sources of information in governmental purchasing.    
  • Skill in performing routine to moderately complex mathematical computations and tabulations related to the procurement function.  
  • Interpersonal skills.   
  • Ability to use computer systems and applications related to the procurement function.   
  • Ability to plan and supervise purchasing activities in a way that is conducive to efficiency and full performance. 
  • Ability to communicate effectively, orally and in writing.

Minimum Qualification Requirements

Graduation from a four-year accredited college or university majoring in business or public administration or a related field and five years of experience in purchasing materials, supplies, and equipment as a prime duty.

Substitution

Additional experience in purchasing materials, supplies and equipment as a prime duty may be substituted for the required education on a year-for-year basis.  Graduate study in business or public administration may be substituted for the required experience on a year-for-year basis to a maximum of two years.

Promotional Requirement

  • One year of service with the District as a Senior Buyer.
  • Civil service status as a Senior Buyer. 
CLASS: 20001823; EST: 1/1/2001; REV: 1/1/2024;