Buyer Full-time, Permanent, 12 months per year, 35 hours/week

Education Centre (1994 Fisher Dr, Peterborough, ON K9J 7A1)

Salary: $33.65 to $37.38 per hour (Pay Band 7-MV1)

Start Date: TBD

Posting Closing Date: TBD

Reason : This posting is for an existing vacancy within our organization. Who We Are The Kawartha Pine Ridge District School Board (KPR) offers a world-class education for approximately 35,000 students in 87 schools. Spanning over 7,000 square kilometers, across diverse rural and urban communities in southeastern Ontario, KPR serves the Municipality of Clarington, Northumberland and Peterborough Counties, and City of Quinte West/Murray Ward.

The Board is situated on the traditional territory of the Michi Saagiig Anishinaabeg people, serving three vibrant Indigenous communities which include Alderville First Nation, Curve Lake First Nation and Hiawatha First Nation.

Today, the Kawartha Pine Ridge school district is home to many First Nations, Métis and Inuit peoples and we acknowledge the contributions and accomplishments of all Indigenous people across Turtle Island, current and throughout history.

All positions in the Kawartha Pine Ridge District School Board support the schools priority of student achievement and the Boards mission to educate our students to excel in learning, to succeed in life and to enrich our communities.

We offer eligible employees a comprehensive employee pension (OMERS) and benefit package upon start date, a commitment to ongoing learning, and an exceptional work environment. Purpose All positions in the Kawartha Pine Ridge District School Board support the schools priority of student achievement and the Board’s mission to educate our students to excel in learning, to succeed in life and to enrich our communities.

Employees demonstrate empathy and respect in all interactions, are committed to service excellence, and embrace change through innovation.

The purpose of the Buyer position is to provide strategic and comprehensive expertise in support of the Manager, Procurement and Central Services with the effective and efficient operation of the department. Ensuring the Board receives the best value for money expended on goods, services, and construction, analyzing new opportunities, providing training and support for various processes in the department, expediting materials and customer service assistance for the system. The Buyer will also support and be a member of various strategic project teams providing the team with all logistical and purchasing coordination for efficient completion of the projects. All duties will be performed while adhering to Ontario Broader Public Sector Procurement Directive, Board Purchasing Policy and Regulations, Canadian Free Trade Agreement, Canadian European Union Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement along with any other relevant legislation and trade agreements.

Reports to: Manager Finance

Main Responsibilities

• Coordinate competitive bid cycle for goods, services, construction, prequalification of vendors and professional service requirements for the Board; includes soliciting of requirements from initiating departments and professional consultants, writing, editing specifications for review; create prepare and release of competitive bid documents through electronic bid service provider; evaluate bids, prepare award notifications and formal contracts for review; issue notification of award of contracts; update and upload contract information in contract management module, support of Manager, Procurement and Central Services and department Managers with vendor performance in the enforcement of adherence to contractual terms and conditions and formal vendor performance management documentation.
• Support to various Capital and other Strategic Projects; through coordination and procurement of all required logistical services (moving, packing, storage and delivery) and purchase of all required furniture and equipment for the each project to provide efficient completion of projects; coordinate each project needs for logistics and procurement of goods and other services by participating as a member of the project team meet, coordinate and discuss present options to team members; teaching staff and others.
• Coordination of the disposal of surplus furniture and equipment with consideration given to feasibility and cost effectiveness, along with the environmental impact of each option; through re distribution to other sites, arrange for warehousing and storage, arrange and coordinate the sale through public auction, donation to non-profit, disposal through recycling and landfill with the salvage and sale of recycle materials, includes cleanup of decommissioned school and other site along with complete refreshes of school.
• Provide system support as required with the sourcing of lower dollar purchases; by actively sourcing and obtaining quotation on the required goods or services and/or providing functional guidance to reach compliance with policy and regulations.
• Identify and recommend opportunities for Vendors of Record for goods and services and for Standardization of these items; through compiling specifications, sourcing product, identifying opportunities through the analyzes of current usage and meeting with and arranging demonstrations/evaluations with end users.
• Acts as department liaison and initial contact for Purchasing Department; provides customer service and assistance expediting purchases; provides training and support for online requisitioning and other contracted systems as requested.
• Requisition processing.
• Automated tendering system database maintenance; adding and deleting items for ordering with on-line financial/purchasing system.
• Administration of lessees for non-instructional spaces and provides assistance to manager with administration of lessees.
• Other duties as assigned.

Supervision Not responsible for supervision of work but there may be requirements to show others how to perform tasks or duties.

Education & Experience

• Completed three (3) year diploma in Business Administration majoring in Materials Management.
• Purchasing certificate/designation from a recognized professional Procurement organization.
• Minimum Ontario Public Buyers Association Principles of Effective Public Purchasing Certificate Program and must be registered in a professional designation program such as the National Institute of Governmental Purchasing’s (NIGP), Certified Professional Public Buyer (CPPB)
• Minimum three (3) year directly related experience.
• Valid driver’s license and use of own vehicle.

Specialized Skills

• Advanced level computer skills in word processing, spreadsheets and computerized financial / purchasing systems.
• Demonstrated knowledge of Federal and Provincial trade agreements, procurement directives, and applicable legislation governing public sector purchasing
• Strong customer services and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent communication and organizational skills.
• Experience, knowledge and understanding of School Board operation or other public procurement environment.
• Experience with e-tendering and with construction and maintenance procurement.

Working Conditions

• Office environment with moderate interruptions/distractions, and frequent pressure to meet deadlines.
• Portion of the requirements of this work will be within construction sites and decommissioned school sites.
• Major attention to details, concentration and visual exertion, some bending, walking and climbing of stairs, some dealing with difficult people some lifting of materials under and over 5 kg.

Expected Competencies:

• Works on projects as part of a team, exchanging ideas and contributing skills that complement those of the other team members. Fulfills commitments to team members.
• Works independently to solve problems.
• Meets standards of productivity as defined for the level and the position.
• Demonstrates concern for the accuracy and quality of work, and takes steps to correct mistakes and improve the overall task.
• Able to take on a variety of different tasks and roles within the organization.
• Can be relied upon to handle a fair workload, meet deadlines and commitments, and accept responsibility for actions. Demonstrates an ability to work independently.
• Accepts changes and responds to setbacks with minimal disruption.
• Demonstrates a sense of responsibility and commitment to the public perception of the organization. Follows through on commitments, and admits to mistakes.
• Maintains organized records, and makes efficient use of resources.
• Manages time and prioritizes tasks to ensure that deadlines are met.
• Works with an aim to support the system in attaining goals set out in the Board Action Plan.

A police records check, with a Vulnerable Sector Search and Pardoned Sexual Offenders Database Search , dated within 6 months prior to the date of hire , is a requirement for employment with this Board. Please note that there have been reports that it has taken some candidates up to 6 weeks to obtain a police check. With that in mind, we strongly recommend that you go about obtaining this search at your earliest convenience.

How To Apply Interested applicants are invited to submit a cover letter and resume through our online portal, Apply to Education (ATE), by the closing date to be considered for this opportunity. If you have any questions regarding this position, please reach out to to discuss further. We thank you for your application and your interest in working at Kawartha Pine Ridge District School Board, at this time, we will only be contacting candidates who are selected to move forward in the recruitment process.

Our Commitment Kawartha Pine Ridge District School Board is committed to a qualified workforce that is representative of the diversity of the people of Ontario and across the communities we serve. We welcome applications from candidates with diverse background and lived experiences as a member of a marginalized group, including but not limited to:

• First Nations, Métis and Inuit peoples, and all other Indigenous peoples;
• Members of groups that commonly experience discrimination due to race, ancestry, colour, religion and/or spiritual beliefs, or place of origin;
• Persons with visible and/or invisible (physical and/or mental) disabilities;
• Persons who identify as women; and
• Persons of marginalized sexual orientations, gender identities, and gender expressions.

Kawartha Pine Ridge District School Board is committed to providing barrier-free and accessible employment practices in compliance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA). Should you require accommodation through any stage of the recruitment process please make them known when contacted and we will work with you to meet your needs.

Kawartha Pine Ridge District School Board is an Equal Opportunity Employer. For more information about what this means in our organization, please refer to our website at (see "Careers" section).