Purchasing Agent

3 weeks ago

Saint Paul, United States Metropolitan Council Full time
WHO WE ARE

This position is eligible for a hybrid (both remote and onsite) telework arrangement. Candidate's permanent residence must be in Minnesota or Wisconsin.


We are the Metropolitan Council, the regional government for the seven-county Twin Cities metropolitan area. We plan 30 years ahead for the future of the metropolitan area and provide regional transportation, wastewater, and housing services.

We are committed to supporting a diverse workforce that reflects the communities we serve.


The Procurement Department assists internal Council units to buy goods and services needed to conduct Council business. In carrying out this purpose, the department complies with Council policies and procedures, laws of federal, state, and local governments, and requirements of grants the Council receives.

How your work would contribute to our organization and the Twin Cities region:

The best qualified candidate will have excellent critical thinking skills with the ability to problem solve and provide recommendations. The Purchasing Agent will work with various vendors and provide excellent customer service while being results oriented. The Purchasing Agent will procure goods and services in compliance with Council policy, state, and federal laws; manage procurement processes such as purchase requisitions, purchase orders, and requests for quotes (RFQs).

What you would do in this job

  • Administer the requisition to purchase order procurement process.
  • Review every requisition for proper information such as account coding, fund availability, and proper authorization.
  • Conduct requests for quotes (RFQs) and work with internal customers to define purchasing requirements, analyze quotes, select vendors, and establish purchase orders.
  • Assist in the identification of new sources of supply, including the utilization of disadvantaged suppliers.
  • Contact suppliers to expedite purchase orders and track past due orders.
  • Meet with vendors or refer vendors to subject experts to receive product information and correct procurement problems.
  • Resolve product problems, shipping issues, and invoice discrepancies.
  • Conduct special projects and perform other duties as assigned.
What education and experience are required for this job (minimum qualifications)

Any of the following combinations of experience (as a buyer, purchasing agent, contract administrator, inventory planner, analyst, accounts payable specialist or in a closely related field) and completed education (degree field of study in Business Administration, Finance, Operations, Supply Chain, or related field):

  • Bachelor's degree with three (3) years of experience
  • Associate degree with five (5) years of experience
  • High school diploma/GED with seven (7) years of experience


What additional skills and experience would be helpful in this job (desired qualifications):

  • Experience within purchasing, operations, supply chain, warehousing, or finance.
  • Experience working with purchasing and inventory information management systems (ERP or MRP).
  • Experience working with purchase order processes including requisitions, sourcing, and regulations.
  • Experience working with small business inclusion programs and implementing procurements to small disadvantaged businesses.

What knowledge, skills and abilities you should have within the first six months on the job:
  • Knowledge of federal and state regulations related to procurement.
  • Knowledge of competitive procurement processes and knowledge in purchasing and inventory information management systems.
  • Excellent ability for detail and accuracy.
  • Strong resiliency in the ability to perform routine tasks on a day-to-day basis.
  • Strong customer service skills, specifically with helping and responding to customers, and being well informed.
  • Effective interpersonal skills such as written and verbal communications, negotiation, and conflict resolution.
  • Excellent organizational /administrative skills with the ability to complete and meet deadlines.
  • Experience with Microsoft Office Suite.
  • Analytical skills that include mathematical skills to price, estimate and forecast costs of products/services.
  • Ability to read, analyze and interpret professional journals, technical procedures and government regulations.
  • Ability to read and write reports and business correspondence.
  • Demonstrate a sense of urgency, with the drive and ability to work with limited supervision.

What you can expect from us:

  • We offer the opportunity to make a difference and positively influence the Twin Cities metropolitan area.
  • We encourage our employees to develop their skills through on-site training and tuition reimbursement.
  • We provide a competitive salary, excellent benefits and a good work/life balance.
Additional information

Union/Grade: American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees/Grade G
FLSA Status: Non-Exempt
Safety Sensitive: No


What your work environment would be:
You would perform your work in a standard office setting. Work may sometimes require travel between your primary work site and other sites.

What steps the recruitment process involves:
  1. We review your minimum qualifications.
  2. We rate your education and experience.
  3. We conduct a structured panel interview.
  4. We conduct a selection interview.
Once you have successfully completed the steps above, then:

If you are new to the Metropolitan Council, you must pass a drug test (safety sensitive positions only), and a background check which verifies education, employment, and criminal history. A driving record check and/or physical may be conducted if applicable to the job. If you have a criminal conviction, you do not automatically fail. The Metropolitan Council considers felony, gross misdemeanor and misdemeanor convictions on a case-by-case basis, based on whether they are related to the job and whether the candidate has demonstrated adequate rehabilitation.

If you are already an employee of the Metropolitan Council, you must pass a drug test (if moving from a non-safety sensitive position to a safety sensitive position) and criminal background check if the job you're applying for is safety sensitive, is a supervisory or management job, is in the Finance, Information Services, Audit, or Human Resources departments, or has access to financial records, files/databases, cash, vouchers or transit fare cards. A driving record check and/or physical may be conducted if applicable to the position.

IMPORTANT: If you make a false statement or withhold information, you may be barred from job consideration.

The Metropolitan Council is an Equal Opportunity, Affirmative Action, and veteran-friendly employer. The Council is committed to a workforce that reflects the diversity of the region and strongly encourages persons of color, members of the LGBTQ community, individuals with disabilities, women, and veterans to apply.

If you have a disability that requires accommodation during the selection process, please email

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