Purchasing Officer (Part-Time, Hybrid)

About the role

Merri-bek City Council is recruiting a part-time Purchasing Officer (0.8 FTE, 35 hours per week) to join its Procurement team within Financial Services. The role helps make purchasing simpler, more efficient and compliant, acting as a first point of contact for staff and suppliers on purchasing processes, purchase orders and approved arrangements. It is a hybrid position with a maximum 2-year contract, starting in February 2027.

Key responsibilities

• Advise staff and suppliers on purchasing processes, purchase orders and approved purchasing arrangements, and support them with clear guidance and training
• Maintain purchase order records and help improve how Council buys goods and services
• Coordinate supplier onboarding and vendor record maintenance, including independently verified bank-detail changes
• Administer purchasing cards from application and training through to monitoring and cancellation
• Work with Procurement, Finance and Accounts Payable to maintain accurate records, support reporting and audits, identify purchasing exceptions and strengthen controls while keeping appropriate separation of responsibilities

Required profile

• Practical knowledge of purchasing processes, supplier verification and purchasing-card controls, applying policies, financial delegations and procedures
• Attention to detail and accuracy in vendor records, supporting documentation, reconciliation and audit trails
• Confidence using purchasing and financial systems and Excel to maintain data, investigate discrepancies and support reporting
• Clear communication and customer service skills, and sound judgement to resolve enquiries, spot compliance risks and escalate appropriately
• Ability to organise competing priorities and work collaboratively across teams

What we offer

• Salary of $86k-$97k plus super (pro rata), with salary sacrifice options
• Flexible and hybrid work, and extensive training and career development
• Employer-supported study assistance, wellness programs and further staff support
• Parental leave (up to 20 weeks primary, up to 5 weeks secondary), purchase leave, ceremonial leave, gender affirmation leave and family violence leave

Applications close on 15 November 2026; they must be submitted online with a CV and a cover letter, and applicants should read the Position Description first.