Assistant Purchasing Agent

Middlesex County - New Brunswick, NJ

Full-time - Mid Level

New Brunswick, NJ

About the position

The Office of Purchasing within the Department of Finance is responsible for managing all purchases for the County of Middlesex, ensuring compliance with proper procedures, regulations, and laws. The Assistant Purchasing Agent will play a crucial role in this office, providing supervision to the purchasing staff under the direction of the Purchasing Agent. This position involves assisting in complex tasks related to the procurement of supplies and services, making it essential for the candidate to have a solid background in government purchasing. The successful candidate will be expected to oversee the work of specification writers and support staff, ensuring that all requisitions and purchase orders are appropriately approved and processed. Additionally, the Assistant Purchasing Agent will assist in developing purchasing methods, procedures, and records that align with the prescribed laws and regulations. In this role, the Assistant Purchasing Agent will also serve as a backup to the Purchasing Agent for all statutory functions, which includes attending Commissioner meetings. The position requires the candidate to draft specifications based on the needs of various offices, review and approve requisitions, and research product availability both on the open market and through state contracts and cooperatives. Staying informed about new laws and regulations regarding New Jersey government purchasing is also a critical aspect of this role. The Assistant Purchasing Agent will be expected to perform other duties as assigned, contributing to the overall efficiency and effectiveness of the purchasing office.

Responsibilities

• Supervises specification writers and support staff.
• Reviews specifications for appropriateness.
• Supervises staff in the approval of requisitions and purchase orders.
• Assigns work to staff and monitors progress.
• Assists in developing purchasing methods, procedures, and records in accordance with laws and regulations.
• Acts as backup to Purchasing Agent for all statutory functions, including attendance at Commissioner meetings.
• Coordinates with offices to determine needs for commodities.
• Drafts specifications based on office needs.
• Reviews and approves requisitions for appropriateness.
• Researches product availability on the open market and on State Contracts and Co-ops.
• Stays up-to-date on new laws and regulations regarding New Jersey government purchasing.

Requirements

• Graduation from an accredited college or university with a bachelor's degree is preferred.
• Four (4) years of experience in writing purchase specifications and purchasing equipment, materials, and supplies in a large government or private agency is preferred.
• A valid Qualified Purchasing Agent (QPA) certification issued by the State Division of Local Government Services is required, or candidates must be scheduled to take the QPA exam within the next six (6) months.
• Knowledge of local government procedures and New Jersey Local Public Contracts Law.
• Knowledge of procedures used in making purchases.
• Knowledge of methods and standards used in the preparation of purchase orders and specifications.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to multitask and manage multiple priorities.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook).
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.