Champaign County
Job Description

Job Title: Buyer
Department: Administrative Services
Reports To: County Administrator
FLSA Status: Non-exempt
Employment Status: Bargaining Unit - AFSCME General Unit
Prepared Date: April, 2004

SUMMARY Secures goods and services for Champaign County departments.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following. Other duties may be assigned.

Provides purchase requisitions and purchase orders for goods and services in a timely manner as required by Champaign County departments; secures additional information on departmental needs and may prepare recommendations on vending sources.

May personally approve requisitions and select vendors for purchases valued at less than one hundred dollars.

Secures goods for stores inventory; process supplies requisitions received from County departments; processes purchase orders, requisitions and accompanying invoices for payment on stores inventory items.

Accepts deliveries and reviews orders received for accuracy and condition of merchandise; performs liaison between departments and service representatives for maintenance and repair work on photocopy machines, vending machines and other office equipment.

Maintains computerized stores inventory records, which includes tabulating and recording data on inventory costs and supply levels to ensure an accurate and cost efficient inventory of supplies.

Routinely interprets the County's Purchasing Policy; seeks new vendors who may qualify to do business with the County and identifies vendors for purchases.

Requires frequent contacts with vendors and other designated purhasing staff of other Champaign County departments.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES This job has no supervisory responsibilities.

QUALIFICATIONS To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE Bachelor's degree in Business Administration or Marketing or a related field from a four-year college or university and at least two years of responsible buying experience; or equivalent combination of education and experience. Requires accurate, timely and effective purchasing skills and the ability to review, verify and process requisitions and purchase orders.

LANGUAGE SKILLS Ability to read and interpret documents such as price lists, catalogs, requisitions, vendor quotes and invoices. Ability to write routine reports and correspondence. Ability to speak effectively to vendors and employees of the organization.

MATHEMATICAL SKILLS Ability to calculate figures and amounts such as discounts, interest, commissions, proportions, percentages, area, circumference, and volume. Ability to apply concepts of basic algebra and geometry.

REASONING ABILITY Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out instructions furnished in written, oral, or diagram form. Ability to deal with problems involving several concrete variables in standardized situations.

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS As required.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; and talk; or hear. The employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; and reach with hands and arms. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus.

WORK ENVIRONMENT The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularaly exposed to outside weather conditions. Normal office conditions. The noise level in the work environment is usually quiet.

NOTE: This document contains wording of a general class of positions with the Champaign County Salary Administration program. The description contains examples of duties and responsibilities which may or may not be considered to be "essential functions" to a particular job position within this job class. "Essential functions" are to be determined at the position or job level with each department