Purchasing Coordinator

ResourceTek, in partnership with our client, a local municipal utility is seeking an experienced Purchasing/Procurement Coordinator in Columbus, Georgia. The right candidate will have preferred certifications as a Certified Public Procurement Officer, Certified Professional Public Buyer, Georgia Certified Purchasing Associate, and/or Certified Local Government Financial Officer. This is a direct hire opportunity. RESPONSIBILITIES Supervise, direct, and evaluate assigned purchasing personnel. Interview, hire, train, and mentor staff; coordinate cross-training and professional development. Plan, administer, and oversee procurement activities for goods, services, materials, supplies, and equipment in compliance with Columbus Water Works policies and applicable federal, state, and local laws. Order all organizational supplies, ensuring timely delivery and cost-effective purchasing to support operational needs. Utilize the appropriate General Ledger (GL) numbers, including specific departmental GL accounts, to ensure accurate financial coding of all purchase orders and procurement transactions. Monitor and maintain budgets for purchased items, tracking expenditures to ensure alignment with approved departmental budgets and identifying potential variances. Collaborate with department managers to verify funding availability and proper GL account usage prior to processing purchases. Manage formal and informal competitive bid processes, including Invitations to Bid (ITBs), Requests for Proposals (RFPs), and Requests for Qualifications (RFQs). Collaborate with the Supervisor of Accounting/Director to ensure purchasing activities align with financial policies and budgetary controls. Serve as a subject matter expert for financial and procurement systems such as the Lawson General Ledger/Purchasing System and other enterprise resource planning (ERP) platforms. Assist with audit preparation by providing procurement documentation and ensuring compliance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) and applicable audit standards. Manage the purchasing card (P-Card) program, including policy development, monitoring of transactions, and compliance reporting. Proven experience in procurement management within manufacturing or federal sectors with a strong understanding of procurement regulations such as Federal Acquisition Regulations. Extensive knowledge of ERP systems including SAP, Oracle EBS, and other e-procurement tools. Demonstrated expertise in contract negotiation, vendor contract management, and supplier relationship management. Strong background in strategic sourcing, category management, and supply chain operations. Familiarity with MRP (Material Requirements Planning), logistics coordination, pricing strategies, and quality assurance processes. Excellent negotiation skills coupled with the ability to perform root cause analysis for supply issues. Project management experience with the ability to lead cross-functional teams effectively. Knowledge of procurement regulatory frameworks combined with proficiency in procurement contract negotiation techniques. Effective communication skills essential for collaboration across diverse teams and stakeholders. LICENSES AND CERTIFICATIONS Certified Public Procurement Officer, Certified Professional Public Buyer, Georgia Certified Purchasing Associate, and/or Certified Local Government Financial Officer desirable. EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE Bachelor's degree in Public Administration, Business Administration, Accounting, Finance, or a related field from an accredited college or university is highly preferred. Three-plus (3+) years of purchasing and/or procurement experience is required. Minimum of three (3) years of supervisory experience is required. BENEFITS 401(k) Dental insurance Employee assistance program Employee discount Health insurance Life insurance Paid time off Parental leave Retirement plan Vision insurance Work Location: In person