Buyer

The Port Authority’s Procurement Department has a successful record of excellence in procuring some of the most innovative procurements in the U.S., including the Goethals Bridge Modernization, the LaGuardia Airport Central Terminal Building, and the new Terminal One at Newark Liberty International Airport. The Procurement Department is responsible for managing the procurements for Port Authority capital projects delivered using a variety of delivery methods, including design-build, construction management-at-risk, and public-private partnerships, through requests for proposals and bids.      

For almost 100 years, The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey has been designing, constructing, and operating the greater New York and New Jersey’s regional transportation infrastructure. The Port Authority’s greatest asset, however, is its people. To this end, we are looking for a self-motivated individual to join the Commodities and Services Division as a Buyer. The Commodities and Services Division promotes a competitive environment primarily through bids, managing the entire process through contract award to ensure fairness.  The ideal candidate will be experienced in implementing different source selection techniques, providing insight and guidance to internal clients on how best to achieve their needs, and be a team player who is flexible, able to multi-task, work with integrity, and demonstrate professional and ethical behavior with fair and transparent decision making. The Buyer will be able to lead teams and work independently, drive work assignments to effective and efficient conclusion, and handle a diverse portfolio of Port Authority and Port Authority Trans-Hudson (PATH) warehouse contracts.

The job generally consists of all phases of procurement-related tasks from requisition to contract award, including but not limited to consulting with client departments and formulating procurement strategy, reviewing scopes of work, pricing methodology, contract terms, developing solicitation packages, evaluating offers, and negotiating agreements.  The Buyer will utilize technology-based recording and reporting systems to analyze information. Under the supervision of the Program Director, Commodities and Services Division, the Buyer’s responsibilities will include but not be limited to:
   

• Procure goods and services for Port Authority and PATH warehouses and facilities operations.
• Analyze shopping carts (requisitions), scopes of work, pricing sheets and solicitation documents to ensure clarity, completeness and recommend revisions when appropriate.
• Research other government agency contracts online for piggybacking opportunities.
• Manage the procurement process to ensure fairness, competitiveness, transparency and integrity.
• Conduct bid, pre-award, post-award and vendor courtesy meetings at various Port Authority facilities in New York and New Jersey.
• Award contracts and purchase orders.
• Assist during the activation of emergencies by the Port Authority’s Office of Emergency Management, which may require off-site attendance.
• Work with the Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion to ensure MBE/WBE/SDVOB/DBE good-faith participation goals are met.
• Participate in the Port Authority’s MBE, WBE, SBE and SDVOB outreach functions, serving as the Procurement’s representative.
• Assist Departments with the review of authorization documents.
• Act as a liaison for dealing with non-performance, poor performance, default of contracts and payment issues.
• Gather information in response to Public Records Access (Freedom of Information) requests.

Qualifications:

Candidate must present the following qualifications to be eligible for this position:
   

• Minimum two (2) year procurement, contract administration or project management experience in a related field.
• Working knowledge of procurement principles inclusive of sourcing methods.

Desired:

Ideal candidates will present the following profile 

• Experience in comprehending, reviewing and drafting contracts, including key components such as scopes of work and pricing sheets.
• Experience navigating and effectively using electronic procurement and sourcing tools such as SAP/AVM.
• Demonstrate market research, problem-solving, analytical and negotiation skills.
• Demonstrate experience with standard business applications such as Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Adobe Acrobat and Office 365.
• Demonstrate ability to work independently.
• Demonstrate experience handling a variety of assignments and heavy workload while meeting tight deadlines in a dynamic, fast-paced environment.
• Effective written and communication skills, with a strong customer service orientation.
• Effectively interact with all levels of management.