SENIOR PURCHASING ASSISTANT
Senior Purchasing Assistant is a competitive local-government title, the kind you test for: the exam result, not a hiring manager's pick, decides where you land in line.
What it takes is 2 years of relevant experience.
How to apply
This title is filled by competitive examination.
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Senior Purchasing Assistant is a local service title. It is filled by the counties, municipalities, authorities and other employers that have adopted civil service under Title 11A, not by State departments. Those employers set pay by ordinance or contract rather than from a State salary schedule, which is why most local titles carry no salary range here.
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Official job specification
The text below is the official specification published by the New Jersey Civil Service Commission. The plain-language summary and analysis above are derived from it by NJ Civil Service Navigator. Source: the official specification page at NJ CSC.
Definition
Under direction, takes the lead and/or performs the more responsible and complex work involved in the purchasing of materials and supplies; does related duties as required.
Examples of work
- Orders equipment and supplies of a limited nature according to accepted purchasing methods as prescribed by laws, rules, regulations, standards, policies, and procedures.
- Prepares simple specifications.
- Receives and reviews requisitions prior to submission to the Purchasing Agent.
- Interviews sales representatives who have been authorized by the Purchasing Agent and makes recommendations on purchases to the Purchasing Agent.
- Communicates with vendors by telephone or correspondence.
- Receives, reviews, and approves vendor claims and forwards them to the Purchasing Agent.
- Maintains liaison with municipal department heads and confers with them in regard to their needs for materials and supplies.
- Recommends the use of substitute or alternative products.
- Handles complaints.
- Is responsible for the posting of purchase information into the purchase ledger.
- Performs clerical work involved in preparation of contracts following the awarding of bids.
- May take the lead over clerical staff.
- Maintains needed records and files.
- Will be required to learn to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording information systems used by the agency, office or related unit.
Experience
Two (2) years of experience in the preparation and processing of requisitions and/or in the purchase of equipment, materials, and/or supplies
License
Appointees will be required to possess a driver's license valid in New Jersey only if the operation of a vehicle, rather than employee mobility, is necessary to perform essential duties of the position.
Knowledge, skills and abilities
- Knowledge of methods and procedures involved in the requisition and/or purchase of equipment, materials, and/or supplies
- Ability to comprehend and analyze supply problems.
- Ability to establish and maintain harmonious working relationships with vendors and department representatives.
- Ability to maintain purchase and other records.
- Ability to learn to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording information systems used by the agency, office or related units.
- Ability to read, write, speak, understand, or communicate in English sufficiently to perform the duties of this position. American Sign Language or braille may also be considered as acceptable forms of communication.
- Persons with mental or physical disabilities are eligible as long as they can perform essential functions of the job with or without reasonable accommodation. If the accommodation cannot be made because it would cause the employer undue hardship, such persons may not be eligible.
Note
The examples of work for this title are for illustrative purposes only. A particular position using this title may not perform all duties listed in this job specification. Conversely, all duties performed on the job may not be listed.