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Purchasing Agent

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Purchasing Agent

Salary

$79,580.80 - $129,064.00 Annually

Location

390 Robert St. N St. Paul, MN

Job Type

Full-Time

Job Number

2025-00266

Division

Regional Administration

Department

Procurement

Opening Date

11/05/2025

Closing Date

11/20/2025 11:59 PM Central

+ Description

+ Benefits

+ Questions

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.

More information about us on our website. (https://metrocouncil.org/About-Us/The-Council-Who-We-Are.aspx)

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. ThePurchasing Agentwill work with various vendors and provide excellent customer service while being results oriented. The Purchasing Agentwill 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

+ Administers the requisition to purchase order procurement process.

+ Reviews every requisition for proper information such as account coding and proper authorization.

+ Conducts requests for quotes (RFQs) and works with internal customers to define purchasing requirements, analyze quotes, select vendors, and establish purchase orders.

+ Assists in the identification of new sources of supply, including the utilization of disadvantaged suppliers.

+ Contacts suppliers to expedite purchase orders and tracks past due orders.

+ Meets with vendors or refers vendors to subject experts to receive product information and correct procurement problems.

+ Resolves product problems, shipping issues, and invoice discrepancies.

+ Conducts special projects and performs 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.

+ Promotes an equitable, positive and respectful work environment that values cultural and diversity among all employees.

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.

More about why you should join us! (http://metrocouncil.org/Employment/Making-A-Difference.aspx)

Additional information

Union/Grade: AFSCME / Grade G

FLSA Status: Non-Exempt

Safety Sensitive:No

Full Salary Range: $38.26 - $62.05 hourly / $79,581 - $129,064 annually

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 [email protected]

We believe our employees are a key to our agency's success! In order to attract and retain high quality employees, the Council provides a highly competitive benefits package both in choice and coverage levels. Some highlights about our benefits are listed below:

+ Guaranteed monthly retirement income through Minnesota State Retirement System pension fund

+ Opportunity to save additional funds for retirement on a tax-deferred basis through a voluntary deferred compensation (457) plan

+ Two or more medical plans from which to choose, with employer contribution towards premiums over 80%

+ Dental insurance, life insurance and vision insurance

The following benefits are provided to all employees as part of working for the Council. You will have access to free:

+ Well@Work clinic

+ bus/rail pass valued at over $1200 per year

+ parking at many job locations

+ fitness centers at many job locations

+ Employee Assistance Program

+ extensive health and wellness programs and resources

01

The supplemental questions listed below are to further evaluate your education and experience and to determine your eligibility for this position. Answer each question completely and please do not type "see resume" otherwise your application will be considered incomplete, and you will not receive further consideration for this position. The experience you indicate in your responses should also be consistent with the Work History section of this application. If you attached a resume and/or cover letter to your application, it will be reviewed at the education and experience review step. I have read and understand the above instructions regarding supplemental questions.

+ Yes

+ No

02

How did you first hear about this job opening?

+ CareerForce Center

+ Community Event/Organization

+ Employee Referral

+ Facebook

+ Glassdoor

+ Indeed

+ Job Fair

+ LinkedIn

+ Metro Transit Bus Advertisement

+ Twitter

+ Website: governmentjobs.com

+ Website: metrocouncil.org

+ Website: metrotransit.org

+ Website: minnesotajobnetwork.com

+ Other

03

If you selected 'Other', please describe where you first heard about this job. If you selected 'Employee Referral' please enter the employee's first and last name, ID number (if known), and job title. Type 'N/A' if not applicable.

04

Please select the option below that reflects your education and experience level.

+ A bachelor's or higher degree in Business Administration, Finance, Operations, Supply Chain, or related field AND at least three (3) years of experience as a buyer, purchasing agent, contract administrator, inventory planner, analyst, accounts payable specialist or in a closely related field.

+ An associate degree in Business Administration, Finance, Operations, Supply Chain, or related field AND at least five (5) years of experience as a buyer, purchasing agent, contract administrator, inventory planner, analyst, accounts payable specialist or in a closely related field.

+ A high school diploma/GED AND at least seven (7) years of experience as a buyer, purchasing agent, contract administrator, inventory planner, analyst, accounts payable specialist or in a closely related field.

+ Some education in Business Administration, Finance, Operations, Supply Chain, or related field AND/OR some experience as a buyer, purchasing agent, contract administrator, inventory planner, analyst, accounts payable specialist or in a closely related fiend, but less than the options above.

+ None of the above.

05

If you have a degree, list your major field of study below. If you do not have a degree, indicate 'N/A'.

06

Please describe your experience as a buyer, purchasing agent, contract administrator, inventory planner, analyst, accounts payable specialist or closely related field. Include where you obtained this experience and a description of your job duties. If this does not apply, indicate 'N/A''.

07

Please select Please select the areas below with which you have work experience (select all that apply).

+ 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.

+ None of the above.

08

If you answered that you have experience within purchasing, operations, supply chain, or finance in question #7, please describe your experience. If this does not apply, indicate 'N/A'.

09

If you indicated that you have experience working with purchasing and inventory information management systems (ERP or MRP) in question #7, please describe your experience. If this does not apply, indicate 'N/A'.

10

If you answered that you have experience working with purchase order processes including requisitions, sourcing and regulations in question #7, please describe your experience. If this does not apply, indicate 'N/A'.

11

If you answered that you have experience working with small business inclusion programs and implementing procurements to small, disadvantaged businesses in question #7, please describe your experience. If this does not apply, indicate 'N/A'.

Required Question

Employer

Metropolitan Council

Address

390 Robert St. N.St. Paul, Minnesota, 55101

Website

https://metrocouncil.org

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