LEAD PURCHASING AGENT at National Institutes of Health, National Cancer Institute (2014-10 – 2025-04)
Grade: 9, Hours per week: 40
- Managed all phases of the procurement cycle, gathering quotes, issuing RFQs/RFPs, and final contract execution and performance evaluation.
- Respond to queries from organizations and prospective offerors.
- Built and maintained strong vendor relationships, serving as the key point of contact for supplier coordination and performance tracking.
- Procured equipment, supplies and services using Government Purchase Card and Contracts at the National Cancer Institute.
- Resolved complex procurement issues through data-driven problem-solving and stakeholder collaboration.
- Identified and used appropriate procurement mechanisms such as Government Purchase Card, Blanket Purchase Agreements (BPA), Purchase Order, and Tasks/Delivery Orders.
- Administered contracts, ensuring compliance/technical information and timely renewals.
- Entered and updated procurement data into tracking systems, ensuring accuracy and completeness for compliance and reporting.
- Executed strategic sourcing initiatives to meet evolving research and clinical needs while ensuring supply continuity.
- Received, reviewed, and processed purchase requests for completeness.
- Performed market research, qualification, and source selection for potential suppliers.
- Evaluated supplier quotes and proposals to ensure price or cost reasonableness.
- Drove cost-saving initiatives to meet performance targets while maintaining quality standards.
- Researched regulations and policies related to budget and fiscal end of year closeout.
- Assisted in procuring laboratory animals and research supplies, ensuring compliance with Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR) and the Defense Federal Acquisition Regulations (DFARS) and NIH policies.
- Implemented risk management strategies to mitigate procurement risks and ensure continuity of supply.
- Led cross-functional teams to ensure alignment with business goals and objectives.
- Facilitated RFP, RFQ, and RFI processes for sourcing and procurement activities.
- Determined the appropriate procedures to use to obtain goods and services that will fill the requirements, meet the delivery schedule, provide the best price, and conform to acquisition regulations.
- Negotiated pricing, deliverables, and terms with vendors to ensure cost-effectiveness and quality.
- Assured vendors receive payment in a timely manner and investigated any outstanding purchase orders, invoices and stale logs.
- Maintained accurate records of purchase orders, contracts, purchase card transactions reconciliation for compliance and auditing purposes.
- Continuously identified opportunities for operational process improvement to enhance procurement efficiency, and reduce costs.
- Trained new hires and guided team members on purchasing procedures and policies.
- Maintained positive working relationship with senior staff, research staff, and vendors.
PURCHASING AGENT at NIH, NICHD (2010-05 – 2014-10)
While serving as a Purchasing Agent at the National Institutes of Child Health and Development, I procured equipment, supplies and services. Hours per week: 40
- Made purchases in compliance with FAR, HHSAR, NIH/NICHD and other relevant policies and regulations.
- Determined the appropriate procedures to use to obtain goods and services that would fill the requirements, meet the delivery schedule, provide the best price, and conform to acquisition regulations.
- Maintained working knowledge of available goods and services by checking commercial catalogs, contact files, and listings of firms offering goods, and through informal contacts with sales representatives, and suppliers.
- Performed routine data entry tasks to maintain accurate purchase card charges for financial reconciliation and contract records.
- Evaluated and reviewed quotes for price reasonableness.
- Tactfully communicated and addressed purchasing matters with program and staff and maintained positive working relationship with others.
Supply Technician at United States Army Medical Research Institute of Chemical Defense (2009-06 – 2010-05)
Hours per week: 40
- Received and reviewed supply requests for supplies and materials needed for planned programs or acquisitions operations.
- Purchased a variety of supplies in support of research and development to address the military's unique medical requirements.
- Collaborated with various departments to ensure that all required materials were available in a timely manner for ongoing research and development efforts.
- Reconciled and managed purchase card charges and files.
Army Medical Logistics Specialist at United States Army (2001-08 – 2005-08)
Hours per week: 50
- Responsible for keeping track of inventory levels of products and accounting of all medical supplies and equipment according to FAR regulations and policies.
- Coordinated the receipt, storage, and inventory management of sensitive and high-priority medical supplies, ensuring compliance with regulations.
- Submitted request for orders and ensured that it was delivered to the facility. Used automated computer systems to complete ordering, tracking, shipping and inventory.
- Ensured timely deployment of supplies to forward areas, domestic and non-domestic.
