Buyer

Department: Materials Management Reports To: Purchasing Manager Compensation: H-16 Number of Days: 12 months Security Access: ESC Overtime Status: Non-Exempt Oklahoma Teacher’s Retirement: Optional Participation Bargaining Unit: N/A Funding Source: General Fund Last Revised Date: February 27, 2026 Mission: Our students lead through literacy, are empowered through experience, and contribute to their community. Vision: Tulsa Public Schools honors the diversity, creativity, and passion of our students, elevating every student to be designers of their destiny. Core Values: Our core values guide how we work and interact with each other at every level of the organization. We embrace and embody these values every day: ● Equity: We know that our diversity is a community treasure, and we are committed to dismantling practices and systems that perpetuate inequalities, being actively anti-bias, anti-racist, and working toward justice and opportunity for all. ● Character: We are honest, trustworthy and have high standards of behavior. We make decisions based on what our students and community need, and we do the right thing even when it is hard. ● Excellence: We work together to give Tulsa the world-class schools it needs and deserves. We expect a lot from one another, and we support one another in achieving our shared, high expectations. ● Team: We care for one another and work together to celebrate success, learn from struggles, and work to help every team member be their best selves. ● Joy: Joy at school and at work makes us more productive, because when we create, innovate, and imagine, our motivation grows. Also, we love to have fun! Position Summary: The School District Buyer is responsible for procuring goods and services in accordance with district policies, state purchasing laws, and public procurement best practices. This position manages the solicitation process, including preparation of bids and proposals, vendor communications, evaluation coordination, and contract administration. The Buyer ensures timely and cost-effective purchasing while maintaining compliance, transparency, and ethical standards. The role collaborates with district departments to identify purchasing needs, supports budgetary objectives, and promotes effective vendor partnerships to support district operations and student success. This position follows established purchasing policies and guidelines and does not have authority to approve purchases. The Buyer processes purchases and supports compliance requirements, with final approval authority residing with designated district approvers. Minimum Qualifications: Education: ● Bachelor’s degree in business, finance, accounting, or a related field; or equivalent work experience in lieu of education Experience: ● Previous experience working with an ERP system, MUNIS preferred, and procurement processes (including bids and RFPs) preferred ● Purchasing experience in a public sector or government setting preferred Responsibilities and Essential Functions: The following duties are representative of performance expectations. A reasonable accommodation may be made to enable a qualified individual with a disability to perform essential functions. ● Understands, explains, and applies the laws, regulations, policies, procedures, specifications, standards, and guidelines governing district purchasing activities ● Applies district procedures and guidelines governing the purchase of supplies, materials, and equipment ● Reviews requests submitted by TPS personnel for purchasing supplies and equipment according to policies and procedures, rules and regulations, department directives, and budget information ● Determines appropriate sourcing options and obtains quotes as needed to support compliant purchasing ● Determines availability, pricing, and suitability of vendor products, goods, and services and reports information as requested ● Manages the solicitation process, including preparation of bids and proposals, vendor communications, evaluation coordination, and contract documentation ● Negotiates pricing and contract terms within established district guidelines ● Responsible for all compliance documentation relating to each purchase ● Utilizes sound purchasing practices and adheres to a strict code of ethics ● Creates and maintains shared spreadsheets, manages reporting, and compiles trend reports as needed ● Aids in creation of MUNIS training materials and leads district-wide trainings on purchasing processes and systems ● Participates in MUNIS testing and implementation activities as assigned ● Serves as backup support for the district’s procurement card (P-Card) program as assigned ● Serves as the main contact for district vending suppliers ● Performs other tasks, duties, or services consistent with the scope and level of the position as assigned Skills and Abilities Required: The following characteristics and physical skills are important for the successful performance of assigned duties. ● Open to change and applies critical thinking while developing solutions based on new guidelines, methods, and technologies ● Ability to work independently and collaboratively as part of a team ● Ability to manage priorities and create buy-in from stakeholders with diverse perspectives and backgrounds ● Ability to work in a fast-paced environment ● Excellent written and verbal communication skills ● Meticulous attention to detail and strong organizational skills ● Demonstrates analytical skills and the ability to synthesize information from multiple sources to support solutions ● Customer service focused with a team attitude Customer Contacts: ● Internal: TPS District Employees ● External: Vendors and suppliers Supervisory Responsibility: ● This role does not directly supervise any individuals Working and Physical Conditions: The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee may encounter while performing the essential functions of this position. Exposure to the following conditions may range from rare to frequent based on circumstances and factors that may not be predictable. A reasonable accommodation may be made to enable a qualified individual with a disability to perform essential functions. ● Work is performed primarily in office and school environments ● Extended periods of sitting and computer-based work ● Frequent use of standard office equipment ● Occasional movement throughout district facilities as needed Tulsa Public Schools is committed to building a diverse and inclusive team of individuals who contribute to the district's mission with their talents, skills, and energy. Tulsa Public Schools is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin , sex, sexual orientation, gender expression , gender identity, pregnancy , disability, genetic information, veteran status, marital status, age , or any other classification protected by applicable law. Tulsa Public Schools also provides reasonable accommodation to qualified applicants and employees with disabilities. If you need accommodation during the application process, please contact the district's ADA Coordinator at ada@tulsaschools.org. You can also direct your request for accommodation in writing via mail to the Tulsa Public Schools Education Service Center, Attn: ADA Coordinator, 3027 S. New Haven Ave., Tulsa, OK 74114-6131.