Purchasing Agent/ Senior Purchasing Agent

Job Description

Purchasing Agent/ Sr. Purchasing Agent

Job Announcement No: 25-099

Vacant Position(s): 1

Department: Executive Office

Applications Accepted through Sunday October 5,2025

Grade: Salary Range: SEE BELOW Grade: SEE BELOW

Hours: 8:00 am – 5:00 pm (Flexible)

Position Summary:

Under limited supervision, this position is responsible with assigned buyer activities for preparing the procurement of materials, equipment, supplies, and services commonly used by Charleston Water System (CWS).

Essential Functions:

- Ensure associates and departments comply with CWS Purchasing Manual and determine sourcing methods for best interest of CWS.

- Review, approve (under authorized authority), and prepare requisitions from assigned departments daily through the CWS ERP- Dynamics 365 F&O system. When necessary, approve and expedite purchase orders of an emergency nature.

- Prepare and solicit Invitation for Bid (IFB), Request for Proposals (RFP), and Request for Quotes (RFQ). Advise departments in the development of specifications for materials or equipment. Conduct pre-bid conferences and bid openings. Receive and analyze bids considering specifications to determine the responsive and responsible Bidder for award.

- Participate in development, suggest, and perform testing on the Charleston Water System E.R.P.- Dynamics 365 F&O.

- Assist Purchasing Department with facilitating vendor collaboration through vendor portal and CWS website.

- Assist with administering CWS’s Purchasing Card Program by providing training to departments, issuing/terminating credit cards, and providing reports to departments through WORKS software.

- Coordinate surplus property, evaluation, reassignment, and disposal.

- Develop and maintain system for monitoring MPA’s. Issue solicitation, analyze, and issue contracts for inventory. Monitor contract activity to ensure compliance with specifications and requirements.

- Interview vendors and perform independent research to keep abreast of new products and technology.

- Review publications and regulations to keep abreast of legislation affecting the purchasing function. Provide guidance regarding current purchasing policies, procedures, laws, and regulations.

- Attend local and state purchasing and minority business functions, maintain contact with vendor’s consultants, outside user groups/associates including minority businesses to gain information and receive recommendations related to group activities and responsibilities.

- Facilitate on-site or virtual training to associate on CWS purchasing procedures and new products.

- Participate in the development and implementation of goals, objectives, policies,

and priorities for the purchasing department.

- May be required to work under emergency conditions.

- Regular attendance required.

- Job performance must conform to all CWS policies and procedures.

- Specific knowledge of CWS Environmental Management System Policy and Procedures.

Additional Duties

- Perform other related duties as assigned.

Job Requirements

Physical Requirements, Activities, and Working Conditions

- Frequent sedentary work with extended sitting required.

- Occasionally positions self to exert up to 20 lbs. of force to lift and transport objects. Objects greater than 50 lbs. require a two-person operation.

- Constantly operates a computer and other office productivity machinery such as but not limited to a telephone, calculator, fax, copier and calculator.

- Ability to understand and execute complex written and oral instructions.

- Ability to observe and comprehend computer screens and reports for understanding and action.

- Ability to reach, pull, handle documents as required to maintain an up-to-date filing system.

- Must be able to wear Personnel Protective Equipment (PPE) as defined in the Job Safety Analysis (JSA) to perform the required essential functions.

Education and Experience

- See below.

PURCHASING AGENT

Salary Range: $58,094.40 ($27.93/hr) - $90,064.00 ($43.30/hr)

The candidate demonstrating the following abilities may be placed at a Grade 109:

- Bachelor’s degree in business or accounting and three (3) years purchasing related experience or a combination of education and experience in a purchasing related position to equal nine (9) years.

- Considerable knowledge of purchasing methods and procedures, sources of supplies, and price trends.

- Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationship with vendors and company-wide staff.

- Familiarity with accounting practices as applied to the purchasing function.

- Broad knowledge of automotive (cars, vans, trucks, accessories and equipment), chemicals (oils and lubricants, etc.), shop equipment (lifts and tools), and construction equipment (backhoe/front-end loaders, trailers, air compressors and accessories, etc.).

- Public sector procurement experience highly preferred.

- Prior work record indicating dependability and conscientiousness.

Licenses, Certifications, Registrations

- This position does not require special designations.

- Certified Public Buyer (CPPB) or equivalent preferred.

Senior purchasing agent

Salary Range: $64,500.80 ($31.01/hr) - $99,964.80 ($48.06/hr)

The candidate demonstrating the following abilities may be placed at a Grade 110:

- Bachelor’s degree in business or accounting and four (4) years public purchasing related experience or a combination of education and experience in a public purchasing related position to equal ten (10) years.

- Considerable knowledge of purchasing methods and procedures, sources of supplies, and price trends.

- Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with vendors and company-wide staff.

- Familiarity with accounting practices as applied to the purchasing function.

- Broad knowledge of automotive (cars, vans, trucks, accessories and equipment), chemicals (oils and lubricants, etc.), shop equipment (lifts and tools), and construction equipment (backhoe/front-end loaders, trailers, air compressors and accessories, etc.).

- Public sector procurement experience highly preferred.

- Prior work record indicating dependability and conscientiousness.

Licenses, Certifications, Registrations

- Certified Public Buyer (CPPB) or equivalent required.

Training Needs:

- OSHA and Departmental safety training as required.

- Skills Based Training.

- Standard Operating Instruction (SOI) per department requirements.

- ISO 14001 standards for department and company.

- See Department Competency and Training Matrix for this position.

Potential Career Path:

ELIGIBILITY FOR PROMOTION TO VARIOUS POSITIONS THROUGHOUT THE COMMISSION DEPENDS UPON INDIVIDUAL QUALIFICATIONS, AND NOTED JOB PROGRESSIONS ARE NO GUARANTEE OF CAREER PATH TO THESE OR ANY OTHER JOB(S) AT THE COMMISSION.

- Financial Analyst

- Auditor

- Senior Purchasing Agent

- Purchasing Manager