Buyer

 

Sourcing

Burnaby, BC

 

Reporting to the Coordinator Procurement, this position is responsible for purchasing a variety of equipment, supplies and services for a designated area. Duties include developing and maintaining sources of supply, negotiating prices, delivery dates and placing purchase orders.  Prepares requests for proposals (RFP), specifications, conditions and legal binding documents for the formal tendering of equipment supplies and services. Prepares input into the computer system, authorizes purchase orders, examines and certifies invoices, and follows up on purchases with regard to delivery date and backorder situations. Liaises with user departments regarding purchase requirements, and provides input into the development of user department policies, procedures and budget as they relate to the equipment/supplies/services required. Arranges for the disposal of obsolete equipment.

What you’ll do

• Develop and maintain sources of supply for equipment, supplies and services for client departments and stores inventory by interviewing, selecting and contacting suppliers for information such as price, delivery dates and taxes. Arrange meetings with department heads as required. Negotiate prices and delivery dates and place orders for a variety of equipment, supplies and services. Maintain related files and records.
• Prepare specifications, conditions and legal binding documents for the formal tendering of equipment, supplies and services. Solicit and analyze quotations from vendors in terms of price, quality and conformity to specifications. Consult with user departments and other stakeholders such as physicians and negotiate supply and service contracts. Make recommendations with regard to best value. Support the implementation of service/product awarded.
• Prepare input into Materiel Management computer system on items required and issue purchase orders either by telephone, in person or electronically. Sign and authorize all purchase orders as per policy.
• Negotiate and monitor delivery dates, resolves shipping problems and expedites delivery of purchases as required by following up on delivery dates, keeping apprised of backorder situations, and making enquiries. Ensure timely delivery, and change suppliers as necessary. Ensure the timely receipt of purchases. Provide input into the process for rating supplier performance. Provide input for creation of policies and procedures regarding supplier performance. Meet with vendors/manufacturers to ensure performance meets with organizational expectations.
• Examine and certify invoices for propriety and price to ensure that goods received conform to specifications on orders placed. Research possible price alterations on goods ordered. Arrange repairs, product exchanges, credits and return of goods.
• Consult and meet with client groups, physicians and other staff to determine user requirements and provide information regarding contract terms, specifications and warranty information, training requirements, quantities, quality, cost and delivery times in order to develop business cases/ Request For Proposals (RFP). Provide presentations to stakeholder groups as required.
• Answer inquiries and make recommendations to user departments on substitutions to improve service effectiveness and/or cost savings. Review client''s requisitions for accuracy relative to contractual commitments.  Provide information on available resources and project budgetary requirements for user areas.
• Provide input into the development of policies and procedures and budget for assigned areas by evaluating procedures and recommending alternate methods to improve efficiencies and/or lower costs to user areas. Revise policies and procedures as approved. Provide input into the budget for assigned areas with regard to supplies ordered and/or projected supply costs.
• Arrange disposal of obsolete equipment and/or surplus supplies as required.
• Create, analyze and distribute a variety of statistical reports such as value of inventory, user cost summaries and utilization reports as required.
• Recommend optimum re-order points for replacement inventory to ensure an adequate supply on hand. Identify high turnover items. Coordinate and participate in inventory counts and analyse the resulting data.
• Update work methods and procedures by identifying problems and alternative solutions and ensuring adherence to the same.
• Provide orientation to new staff members as required.
• Participate in department meetings and various committees as required. Participate in Continuous Quality Improvement activities, to enrich and advance various processes, through the effective use of resources to meet the needs of the customer.
• Perform other related duties as required.

What you bring

 

Qualifications

• Grade 12 supplemented by P.M.A.C. Level II designation or equivalent plus 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 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 facilitate meetings with multidisciplinary teams in order to gain input to develop RFPs and related contracts.
• Working knowledge of related legislation: Fair Business Practice; Freedom of Information; Agreement of Internal Trade.
• Ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing.
• Ability to deal with others effectively.
• Physical ability to perform the duties of the position.
• Ability to organize work.
• Ability to operate related equipment.
• 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 (Until September 2026 or Until Return of Incumbent)
Wage: $35.37 / Hour
Location: 1795 Willingdon Ave, Burnaby, BC V5C 6E3
Closing date: Applications accepted until position is filled
Hours of Work: 07:30-15:30 (Monday to Friday)
Requisition #: 197703E

 

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.

 

Attention current employees of PHSA:

 

You must apply via your internal profile at http://internaljobs.phsa.ca.

 

The internal job posting expires on May 4, 2026 and will no longer be accessible. If the internal job posting has expired, please e-mail internaljobshelpu@phsa.ca with the six-digit job requisition number and your PHSA employee ID number to be considered as a late internal applicant. Please do not apply for the external job posting.

 

If you have not yet set up an internal profile, please e-mail internaljobshelpu@phsa.ca with your PHSA employee ID number to obtain your temporary password. Our business hours are Monday-Friday 8:30am-4:30pm, excluding Statutory Holidays and a Help Desk Representative will respond to you with 1-2 business days.

 

If you are not a current employee of PHSA and require assistance with your application, please contact the External Careers team at careers@phsa.ca.