Senior Buyer, Information Technology

OUC - The Reliable One, is presently seeking a Senior Buyer, Information Technology, to join the Financial & Support Services division. We are looking for a strategic, tech-savvy procurement professional to drive IT sourcing initiatives that power OUC's innovation and digital transformation. In this role, you'll lead complex technology procurements, manage RFPs, ITNs, negotiate contracts, and partner with IT leadership to secure solutions that advance organizational goals. We're seeking a collaborative influencer who excels at vendor strategy, cost optimization, and stakeholder partnership.

OUC is an industry leader and the second largest municipal utility in Florida committed to innovation, sustainability, and our community, OUC's mission is to provide exceptional value to our customers and community by delivering sustainable and reliable services and solutions.

Join a team of visionary Change Agents, Strategists, and Community Ambassadors who understand the vital role of diverse experiences in powering creativity and industry transformation. At OUC, each position contributes to the success and achievement of our goals. Click here to learn more about what we do.

The ideal candidate will have:

• Bachelor's degree in Finance, Business, Accounting, Engineering, or related area of study from an accredited college or university (required)
• Minimum of six (6) years of experience working in Purchasing, Supply Chain or directly related field (required).
• Minimum of three (3) years of IT related strategic sourcing and procurement experience.
• Experience with administering complex purchasing projects and negotiations (preferred).
• Industry standard certification such as CPPB, CPSM, CPP (preferred).

OUC offers a very competitive compensation and benefits package. Our Total Rewards package includes, to cite a few:

Competitive compensation

Low-cost medical, dental, and vision benefits and paid life insurance premiums with no probationary period.

OUC's Hybrid Retirement Program includes a fully funded cash balance account, defined contribution with employer matching along with a health reimbursement account

Generous paid vacation, holidays, and sick time

Paid parental leave

Educational Assistance Program, to include tuition reimbursement, paid memberships in professional associations, paid conference and training opportunities

Wellness incentives and free access to all on-site OUC fitness facilities

Access to family-oriented recreational areas

Paid Conference and Training Opportunities

Hybrid work schedule

Click here to view our Benefits Summary.

Salary Range: $88,000 - $110,000 annually - commensurate with experience

Location: Reliable Plaza - 100 W. Anderson Street, 32801

Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States at the time of application. This organization does not offer or sponsor employment visas for internship or full-time positions.

Please see below a complete Job description for this position.

Job Purpose:

Manage procurement of supplies, equipment, materials and services in the most cost-effective manner that supports the strategy of the department and the commission. Oversee complex, specialized, and non-routine purchasing processes in accordance with OUC policies and procedures. Provides consultation to internal stakeholders, performs negotiations on behalf of the commission, and develops effective professional relationships with both internal and external customers such as suppliers and departments.

Primary Functions:

• Receive, review, understand specifications and make recommendations on process, requirements and modifications to any terms or specifications;
• Evaluate Request for Quote (RFQ), Request for Proposal (RFP), Invitation to Negotiate (ITN) and Invitation to Bid (ITB) from suppliers and make recommendations to management during the process; notify suppliers of award and complete contract(s);
• Partner with various internal teams and engage with external suppliers for purchasing supplies, equipment, materials, and services that are complex, specialized or non-routine;
• Engage with end-users to understand needs and collect information related to bids; ensure bids accepted are valid, responsive, competitive and meet OUC policy and procedures;
• Research market and suppliers for most cost-effective and competitive pricing for materials and services; identify and forge new supplier/vendor relationships to create a pipeline for supplies especially during emergencies;
• Create and manage contracts, extensions and amendments; review contracts and purchase orders to counsel end-users on project timeline and planning efforts;
• Create Purchase Orders (PO) from order requisitions; run and manage order requisition report for division team; issue PO to suppliers for acknowledgement; process change orders and administrative changes;
• Identify new business and relationship opportunities consistent with short and long-term goals and strategies of the department and organization;
• Provide subject matter expertise in evaluation committee meetings and provide feedback on evaluation process and criteria;
• Manage up to and including complex purchase of materials and services, both indirect and direct; that have high risk, safety, and liability implications;
• Consult with leadership on purchasing projects to anticipate issues, scope risk, and resolve complex problems;
• Provide support and leadership throughout the procurement process;
• Provide status reports on all purchasing activities; make recommendations on tracking metrics and prepare and deliver related presentations to leadership;
• Provide mentorship and share knowledge of industry best practices and workflow guidance to other purchasing staff members;
• Collaborate with others to plan projects, establish goals/requirements, best project approach, assess risks, develop strategies, establish terms and schedule needs;
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Technical Requirements:

• Working knowledge of all, but not limited to, the following:
  • Purchasing practices
  • Contracting
  • Applicable statutes, industry regulations and company policies and procedures
  • Financial acumen as it relates to price and cost analytics
  • Project management
• Keep current on public procurement best practices and trends;
• Continuous learning in all, but not limited to:
  • Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems
  • Purchasing laws
  • Complex Contract Administration
  • Advanced Negotiations
• Apply working knowledge of Florida Statutes;
• Applies understanding of larger impact when making purchasing decisions regarding scope of work and risk;
• Ability to make quality decisions that keep the project moving forward while maintaining safety and integrity
• Ability to communicate both verbally and written;
• Effective negotiation skills;
• Build effective professional relationships with both internal and external customers;
• Ability to anticipate issues that potentially may arise in purchasing process;
• Ability to collect statistics to perform basic cost and price calculations;
• Ability to use Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Outlook, etc.) and standard office equipment (telephone, computer, copier, etc.).

Education/ Certification/ Years of Experience Requirements:

• Bachelor's degree in Finance, Business, Accounting, Engineering, or related area of study from an accredited college or university (required).
• Minimum of six (6) years of experience working in Purchasing, Supply Chain or directly related field (required).
• Minimum of three (3) years of IT related procurement experience
• Experience with administering complex purchasing projects and negotiations (preferred).
• Industry standard certification such as CPPB, CPSM, CPP (preferred).

Working Conditions:

This job is absent of disagreeable working conditions.

Physical Requirements:

This job consists of speaking, hearing, reading, typing, and writing. This job may consist of standing, walking, sitting and bending/ stooping. This job may occasionally consist of lifting up to ten (10) lbs.

OUC-The Reliable One is an Equal Opportunity Employer who is committed through responsible management policies to recruit, hire, promote, train, transfer, compensate, and administer all other personnel actions without regard to race, color, ethnicity, national origin, age, religion, disability, marital status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetic information and any other factor prohibited under applicable federal, state, and local civil rights laws, rules, and regulations.

EOE M/F/Vets/Disabled