Purchasing Agent Supervisor - Northeast

THE POSITION

Are you ready to lead purchasing work that supports critical operations across multiple facilities? As a Purchasing Agent Supervisor for the Department of Corrections (DOC), you will help oversee purchasing work that keeps facilities running smoothly. This position gives you the chance to support staff, improve processes, and manage important procurement activities. Your efforts will ensure that supplies and services are delivered efficiently across the DOC Northeast region. Step into a leadership role that values organization, teamwork, and integrity!

DESCRIPTION OF WORK

This position oversees purchasing activities for the Northeast Regional Purchasing Group and supports facilities by directing procurement procedures. The role ensures accurate purchasing, proper documentation, and effective coordination with staff and vendors. As a Purchasing Agent Supervisor, you will perform the following duties:

• Regional Supervision: Oversee Purchasing Agents serving multiple state correctional institutions (SCIs)
• Procurement Guidance: Assist staff in selecting proper purchasing methods for supplies and services
• System Management: Maintain purchasing systems and update vendor information and documentation
• Bid Administration: Prepare specifications, review bids, locate vendors, and manage contract awards
• Problem Resolution: Address delivery issues, invoice concerns, and vendor inquiries with facility staff
• Contract Monitoring: Track contract status, notify staff of expirations, and prepare renewals and amendments

Interested in learning more? Additional details regarding this position can be found in the position description.

Work Schedule and Additional Information:

• Full-time employment, 37.5 hours per week
• Work hours are 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM, Monday - Friday, with a 30-minute lunch.
• Work Location: Placement may be at SCI Mahanoy (Schuylkill County), SCI Dallas (Luzerne County), or SCI Waymart (Wayne County), based on the selected applicant's location and SCI availability. The work location will be discussed during the interview.
  
• Telework: You may have the opportunity to work from home (telework) part-time depending on the assigned SCI work location. If reporting to SCI Dallas or SCI Waymart, you may be eligible to telework up to 3 days per week. In order to telework, you must have a securely configured high-speed internet connection and work from an approved location inside Pennsylvania. If you are unable to telework, you will have the option to report to the agreed SCI work location. The ability to telework is subject to change at any time. There is no telework option if assigned to work out of SCI Mahanoy. Additional details may be provided during the interview.
• Salary: In some cases, the starting salary may be non-negotiable. 
• You will receive further communication regarding this position via email. Check your email, including spam/junk folders, for these notices.

REQUIRED EXPERIENCE, TRAINING & ELIGIBILITY

QUALIFICATIONS
Minimum Experience and Training Requirements:

• One year as a Purchasing Agent (commonwealth job title); or
• Four years of experience in purchasing work involving contact with vendors in the procurement of a variety of supplies, materials, equipment, or services; or
• Four years of experience in requisitioning, receiving, storing, distributing, and maintaining inventory of goods; or
• An equivalent combination of experience and training. Post-high school education may be substituted on a year-for-year basis for purchasing or stores experience to a maximum of two years.

Additional Requirements: 

• Successful completion of basic training in Elizabethtown, PA is required.
• You must be able to perform essential job functions.

Legal Requirement: 

• You must pass a background investigation and meet Criminal Justice Information Services (CJIS) compliance requirements. 

This position is subject to the provisions of a collective bargaining agreement or memorandum of understanding. 

How to Apply:

• Resumes, cover letters, and similar documents will not be reviewed, and the information contained therein will not be considered for the purposes of determining your eligibility for the position. Information to support your eligibility for the position must be provided on the application (i.e., relevant, detailed experience/education). 
• If you are claiming education in your answers to the supplemental application questions, you must attach a copy of your college transcripts for your claim to be accepted toward meeting the minimum requirements. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable. 
• Your application must be submitted by the posting closing date. Late applications and other required materials will not be accepted.
• Failure to comply with the above application requirements may eliminate you from consideration for this position.  
• All application materials and interview responses must reflect the applicant’s own experience, qualifications, and work. Applicants may use generative AI tools for preparation purposes only. Use of AI to misrepresent or falsify information, or to assist during interviews, is not permitted. Review the Guidance for Generative AI Tools & Job Seekers for additional information.

Veterans:

• Pennsylvania law (51 Pa. C.S. §7103) provides employment preference for qualified veterans for appointment to many state and local government jobs. To learn more about employment preferences for veterans, go to www.pa.gov/agencies/employment/how-to-apply.html and click on Veterans.

Telecommunications Relay Service (TRS):

• 711 (hearing and speech disabilities or other individuals).

If you are contacted for an interview and need accommodations due to a disability, please discuss your request for accommodations with the interviewer in advance of your interview date.

The Commonwealth is an equal employment opportunity employer and is committed to a diverse workforce. The Commonwealth values inclusion as we seek to recruit, develop, and retain the most qualified people to serve the citizens of Pennsylvania. The Commonwealth does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religious creed, ancestry, union membership, age, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, AIDS or HIV status, disability, or any other categories protected by applicable federal or state law. All diverse candidates are encouraged to apply.

Benefits

Learn more about our Total Rewards by watching this short video!

See the total value of your benefits package by exploring our benefits calculator.

Health & Wellness

We offer multiple health plans so our employees can choose what works best for themselves and their families. Our comprehensive benefits package includes health coverage, vision, dental, and wellness programs.*

Compensation & Financial Planning
We invest in our employees by providing competitive wages and encouraging financial wellness by offering multiple ways to save money and ensure peace of mind including multiple retirement and investment plan options. 

Work/Life Balance
We know there’s more to life than just work! Our generous paid leave benefits include paid vacation, paid sick leave, eight weeks of paid parental leave, military leave, and paid time off for most major U.S. holidays, as well as flexible work schedules and work-from-home opportunities.* 

Values and Culture
We believe in the work we do and provide continual opportunities for our employees to grow and contribute to the greater good. As one of the largest employers in the state, we provide opportunities for internal mobility, professional development, and the opportunity to give back by participating in workplace charitable giving.

Employee Perks
Sometimes, it is the little “extras” that make a big difference. Our employees receive special employee-only discounts and rates on a variety of services and memberships.

For more information on all of these Total Rewards benefits, please visit www.employment.pa.gov and click on the benefits box.

*Eligibility rules apply.

Supplemental Questions

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Agency Information

EmployerCommonwealth of PennsylvaniaAddress 613 North Street

Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, 17120 Website http://www.employment.pa.gov