Buyer

Buyer

Sourcing - Corp Services

Saanichton, BC

The Buyer is responsible for purchasing a variety of equipment, supplies and services utilizing computerized systems and applying the guidelines of public sector procurement and knowledge of purchasing practices and related legislation such as Fair Business Practice, Freedom of Information Act, and Canadian Free Trade Agreement. Duties include meeting with user departments regarding purchase requirements, developing and maintaining sources of supply, selecting suppliers, negotiating prices and delivery dates, approving purchase requisitions/orders, and following up on purchases with regard to delivery date, discrepancies, and backorder situations. Prepares tender documents for a variety of supplies, services and equipment utilizing word-processing and spreadsheet software and knowledge of the BC Bid process. Provides input into the development of policies and procedures, arranges for the disposal of obsolete equipment, and maintains purchasing related files and records including up to date catalogues and price lists.

What you’ll do

• Reviews requisitions and consults with user departments/programs regarding requirements for the acquisition of equipment, supplies and services, including specifications, quantity, quality, costs and delivery dates; recommends substitutes to improve delivery and/or costs.
• Contacts suppliers for information such as price, delivery dates, quality, suitability, and taxes; selects suppliers, negotiates prices and delivery dates and places orders for a variety of equipment, supplies and services either by telephone, in person or electronically utilizing the computerized purchasing system, the Internet or other computerized software; and maintains related files and records.
• Prepares specifications, conditions and legal binding documents for the formal tendering of equipment, supplies and services utilizing word-processing and spreadsheet software and knowledge of the BC Bid process. Solicits and analyzes quotations from vendors in terms of price, quality and conformity to specifications and negotiates resultant supplies and services contracts and/or places purchase orders.
• Monitors compliance with contractual terms and conditions and carries out follow-up activities, such as monitoring delivery dates, resolving shipping problems, and expediting late deliveries by responding to inquiries and complaints, investigating order discrepancies, reviewing backorder situations, making price adjustments, and arranging for credit, return or exchange as appropriate; mediates disputes that may arise between parties.
• Contacts suppliers to maintain sources of supply; maintains supplier representative contacts through meetings, interviews and negotiations. Evaluates and provides information on supplier performance as required.
• Maintains up to date catalogues and price lists of major suppliers and provides information and catalogues to user departments/programs as requested.
• Places specific supply and capital purchase orders with designated external suppliers in person, by telephone, fax, and/or electronically, completes data entry of purchase orders, arranges for appropriate approvals and forwards to suppliers.
• Arranges for the disposal of obsolete equipment and/or surplus supplies as required.
• Provides input into the development of policies and procedures, documentation and training programs by evaluating procedures, identifying opportunities for improved efficiencies, and recommending changes for approval; implements revised policies and procedures and documentation as approved.
• Conducts cost benefit analysis for alternative systems and products. Researches and maintains current commodity knowledge for: sources of supply locally, domestically and internationally; economic trends; environmental issues; laws; currency exchanges; technology and areas of standardization and industry development.
• Maintains related records, such as contract files, product standards, source directories, tender files and supplier performance history records, using a variety of computerized systems, as required.
• Participates in physical inventory counts as required and analyses the resulting data by conducting physical checks and comparing actual to recorded inventory levels.
• Participates in department meetings and various committees, including arranging meetings, circulating notices and agendas, recording notes and/or minutes of meetings and distributing as required.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

What you bring

Qualifications

• Grade twelve (12), supplemented by recognized purchasing courses plus five (5) years' recent, related experience or an equivalent combination of education, training and experience.
• Demonstrated knowledge of the historic and ongoing impacts of settler colonialism on Indigenous Peoples in social and health contexts, including supported by significant knowledge of Indigenous-specific mandates, including clear understanding of and commitment to eradicate Indigenous-specific racism and discrimination and embed Indigenous Cultural Safety and Humility.
• Demonstrate comprehensive knowledge of the historic and ongoing impacts of settler colonialism and systemic racism on Indigenous Peoples within social and health contexts. This includes understanding how these factors contribute to current health disparities and barriers to care. Show a clear commitment to identifying, challenging, and eradicating Indigenous-specific racism and all forms of discrimination impacting equity-deserving groups within health care settings. This involves familiarity and understanding Indigenous Cultural Safety and Humility recognizing personal biases, institutional barriers, engaging in anti-racism education and training and advocating for systemic change.
• Demonstrated knowledge and understanding of legislative obligations and provincial commitments within Sourcing - Corp Services contexts found in the foundational documents including Truth & Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action (2015), In Plain Sight (2020), BC's Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act (2019), United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP), Reclaiming Power and Place Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women & Girls Calls for Justice (2019), the Declaration Act Action Plan and Remembering Keegan: A First Nations Case Study - BC Human Rights Code, BC Anti-racism Act and how they intersect across the health care system.

Core Competencies

• Brings an understanding of the Indigenous specific racism and the broader systemic racism that exists in the colonial health care structure, and has demonstrated initiatives in breaking down barriers and ensuring a safe environment ensuring a sense of belonging to all and informed by Indigenous Cultural Safety.
• Awareness of social, economic, political and historical realities of settler colonialism on Indigenous Peoples and familiarity with addressing Indigenous-specific anti-racism, anti-racism and Indigenous Cultural Safety and foundational documents and legislative commitments (the Declaration Act, the Declaration Action Plan, TRC, IPS, Remembering Keegan, etc.).

Skills & Knowledge

• Ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing.
• Ability to deal with others effectively.
• Ability to organize work.
• Ability to operate related equipment.
• Physical ability to carry out the duties of the position.
• Demonstrates a commitment to beginning and/or continuing their personal learning journey related to Indigenous-specific racism and dismantling systems of oppression, as well as addressing racism more broadly. Shows willingness to articulate and share their learning experiences to contribute to a culture of motivation and inspiration among peers.
• Demonstrates foundational knowledge of the social, economic, and political realities of settler-colonialism and its impacts on Indigenous peoples and equity-deserving groups within social and health contexts. Understands the impact of social determinants of health-on-health outcomes. Shows a commitment to learning about and upholding legislative obligations and provincial commitments outlined in foundational documents such as the Truth & Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action (2015), In Plain Sight (2020), BC's Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act (2019), United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP), Reclaiming Power and Place: Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women & Girls Calls for Justice (2019), the Declaration Act Action Plan, Remembering Keegan: A First Nations Case Study, the BC Human Rights Code, Anti-Racism Data Act, and the Distinctions Based Approach.

What we bring

Every PHSA employee enables the best possible patient care for our patients and their families. Whether you are providing direct care, conducting research, or making it possible for others to do their work, you impact the lives of British Columbians today and in the future. That’s why we’re focused on your care too – offering health, wellness, development programs to support you – at work and at home.

• Join one of BC’s largest employers with province-wide programs, services and operations – offering vast opportunities for growth, development, and recognition programs that honour the commitment and contribution of all employees.
• Access to professional development opportunities through our in-house training programs, including +2,000 courses, such as our San’yas Indigenous Cultural Safety Training course, or Core Linx for Leadership roles.
• Enjoy a comprehensive benefits package, including municipal pension plan, and psychological health & safety programs and holistic wellness resources.
• Annual statutory holidays (13) with generous vacation entitlement and accruement.
• PHSA is a remote work friendly employer, welcoming flexible work options to support our people (eligibility may vary, depending on position).
• Access to WorkPerks, a premium discount program offering a wide range of local and national discounts on electronics, entertainment, dining, travel, wellness, apparel, and more.

Job Type: Temporary, Full-time
Wage: $33.34 / hour
Location: Block C 2261 Keating Cross Road, Saanichton
Closing date: Applications accepted until position is filled
Hours of Work: 07:30-15:30 (Monday to Friday)
Requisition #: 188624E

What we do

The Provincial Health Services Authority (PHSA) plans, manages and evaluates specialized health services with the BC health authorities to provide equitable and cost-effective health care for people throughout the province. Our values reflect our commitment to excellence and include: Respect people – Be compassionate – Dare to innovate – Create equity – Be courageous.

Learn more about PHSA and our programs: jobs.phsa.ca/programs-and-services

PHSA is committed to anti-racism and equity in our hiring and employment practices. With learning and compassion, we are addressing existing inequities and barriers throughout our systems. PHSA is seeking to create a diverse workforce and to establish an inclusive and culturally safe environment. We invite applications and enquiries from all people, particularly those belonging to the historically, systemically, and/or persistently excluded groups identified under the B.C. Human Rights Code.

One of PHSA’s North Star priorities is to eradicate Indigenous-specific racism, which includes ongoing commitments to Indigenous recruitment and employee experience as well as dismantling barriers to health care employment at every level. We welcome Indigenous individuals to apply and/or contact the Sanya’k̓ula Team (Indigenous Recruitment & Employee Experience) for support at indigenous.employment@phsa.ca.

Indigenous-specific anti-racism initiatives are rooted in addressing the unique forms of discrimination, historical and ongoing injustices, and exclusion faced by Indigenous peoples. These initiatives align with an Indigenous rights-based approach, recognizing the inherent rights and title of BC First Nations and self-determination of all First Nations, Inuit and Métis communities. PHSA is mandated to uphold legislative obligations and provincial commitments found in the foundational documents including the Truth & Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action (2015), In Plain Sight (2020), BC's Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act (2019), United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP), Reclaiming Power and Place Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women & Girls Calls for Justice (2019), the Declaration Act Action Plan and Remembering Keegan: A First Nations Case Study.

ATTN: PHSA Employees:

To be considered as a PHSA employee (internal applicant) for this position, you must apply online via your internal profile at internaljobs.phsa.ca

Please note the internal job posting will no longer be accessible after the expiry date of September 12, 2025. If the internal job posting has expired, please contact the Internal Jobs Help Desk and advise that you would like to be considered as a late internal applicant for this position. Please do not apply for the external job posting.

If you have not registered your internal profile, a password is required to log in for the first time. To obtain your password, please contact the Internal Jobs Help Desk at 604-875-7264 or 1-855-875-7264. Please note regular business hours are Monday – Friday (excluding stats), 8:30am to 4:30pm. For inquiries outside of regular business hours, please email the Internal Jobs Help Desk at internaljobshelpu@phsa.ca and a Help Desk Representative will contact you the next business day.