PURCHASING AGENT (Unclassified)
Purchasing Agent is an unclassified role, so it is appointed at the discretion of the hiring authority and does not carry the usual exam-and-tenure track.
What it takes is 5 years of relevant experience.
How to apply
This title is not filled by examination — agencies appoint directly.
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Purchasing Agent 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, plans, organizes and directs the activities of the purchasing unit; prepares purchasing procedures; does related work as required.
Examples of work
Establishes and develops accepted purchasing methods and records in accordance with prescribed laws, rules, regulations, standards, policies and procedures; reviews requisitions for operating and maintenance equipment, materials and supplies; locates and investigates suitable reputable sources of supply; prepares specifications; reviews submitted bids for content and after thorough analysis, makes recommendations for the acceptance of rejection of bids; communicates directly with vendors by telephone or correspondence; interviews vendors to determine product line and usefulness; handles complaints by taking the proper action; develops and implements a centralized purchasing system including all necessary procedures, forms and files; records the claims of vendors for materials and services; prepares periodic reports and statements; maintains bidders lists; prepares all purchase contracts; prepares purchasing procedures and bill payments; assigns, supervises and reviews the work of subordinates; prepares the temporary and final appropriation budgets and appropriate transfers; confers with other departmental representatives on the standardization of supplies used and the need for specialized equipment; establishes and maintains needed records and files; responsible for obtaining professional, consulting and other services on a contractual basis; may be responsible for the management of a central storeroom.
Requirements
Graduation from a four year course at an accredited college or university.
Note
Applicants who do not meet the above educational requirements may substitute additional work experience as described below on a year for year basis.
Five years of experience in the writing of purchase specifications and in the purchase of equipment, materials and supplies on a large scale.
Possession of a valid New Jersey driver's license may be required.
Thorough knowledge of the accepted procedures used in making large scale purchases; of the laws, rules and regulations affecting purchasing; of the accepted preparation of specifications of commodity markets, marketing practices and commodity pricing methods and of the application of bookkeeping methods to procurement practices.
Ability to read, write, speak and understand English sufficiently to perform the duties of this position; ability to interpret market prices and trends and apply such interpretations to procurement problems; to establish and maintain harmonious working relationships; to review and prepare specifications; to recommend suitable action on bids; to establish and maintain adequate purchasing and other records.