Become a Supervisory Purchasing Agent with the Defense Logistics Agency

Are you looking to advance your career in federal procurement? The Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) is currently seeking a highly motivated professional to serve as a Supervisory Purchasing Agent at the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard in Virginia. This role offers the chance to lead a team dedicated to providing world-class logistics support to our nation's military departments.

Job Responsibilities

As a Supervisory Purchasing Agent, you will hold a position of significant responsibility. Your core duties will include:

Team Leadership: Supervise a team of purchasing agents executing actions at or below the Simplified Acquisition Threshold (SAT).
Strategic Procurement: Oversee purchasing methods, including the use of Government-wide commercial purchase cards, Blanket Purchase Agreements (BPA), and official delivery orders.
Contract Oversight: Manage pre-award and post-award contract administration and perform detailed cost/technical analysis on contractor proposals.
Authorizing Official: Act as the designated authority for local purchase card programs and Letters of Agreement (LOAs).
Contracting Authority: Serve as a warranted Contracting Officer (CO) with authority to obligate government funds up to the SAT limit.

Comparison: Procurement Roles

Feature	Purchasing Agent (GS-09)	Contracting Specialist (Senior)
Scope	Simplified Acquisition	Complex/Large Scale
Authority	Limited to SAT	Higher Thresholds
Leadership	Supervisory focus	Strategic focus
Focus	Tactical execution	Policy development

Requirements

Candidates must demonstrate the ability to succeed in a fast-paced environment. To qualify, you must:

Possess one year of specialized experience at the GS-08 level (or private sector equivalent).
Submit a resume of no more than two pages.
Have the ability to perform complex cost and price analysis.
Undergo necessary background checks and drug testing as required by the DLA.

Salary and Benefits

This position offers a competitive salary range of $62,640 to $81,436 per year. In addition to salary, employees enjoy the comprehensive federal benefits package, which includes robust health insurance plans, participation in the Thrift Savings Plan (TSP), generous paid leave, and strong job stability.

Application Tips

Format Matters: Ensure your resume is exactly two pages or fewer to avoid automatic disqualification.
Detail Your Experience: Clearly state hours per week and specific dates for all past roles.
Monitor Assessments: Keep an eye on your email for the USA Hire Competency Based Assessment. You will have a limited timeframe to complete this once notified.

If you have the skills to lead procurement operations and want to support the critical mission of the Department of Defense, the Supervisory Purchasing Agent role in Portsmouth is an ideal next step. Prepare your application, ensure your resume is concise, and apply before the closing date to join the DLA team.

Why This Supervisory Purchasing Agent Job Matters

Take charge of critical logistics operations at the Naval Shipyard and advance your federal career with the Defense Logistics Agency.

Supervisory Purchasing Agent Job Overview

The Defense Logistics Agency is seeking a dedicated Supervisory Purchasing Agent to join our team at the Naval Shipyard in Portsmouth, Virginia. This role is pivotal in supporting our nation's logistics combat support missions, ensuring the efficient procurement of essential materials, services, and equipment. You will lead a team of purchasing agents, oversee complex acquisition workflows, and serve as an authorized Contracting Officer to ensure federal compliance and operational excellence.

Requirements for Supervisory Purchasing Agent

U.S. Citizenship eligibility.
Must meet specialized experience requirements equivalent to at least one year at the GS-08 level.
Ability to maintain professional standards for federal acquisition and procurement.
Submission of a compliant, two-page maximum resume.
Completion of all required online application questionnaires and assessments within designated timeframes.
Ability to obtain and maintain necessary security clearance levels.

Preferred Qualifications for Supervisory Purchasing Agent

Proven leadership experience in a high-volume procurement environment.
Advanced knowledge of federal acquisition regulations (FAR) and simplified acquisition procedures.
Demonstrated ability to negotiate contractor proposals and conduct cost/price analysis.
Experience serving as an Authorizing Official for government purchase card programs.
Expertise in managing Blanket Purchase Agreements (BPA) and delivery orders.

Federal Benefits & Perks

✓Comprehensive federal health insurance options.
✓Generous retirement plans including the Thrift Savings Plan (TSP).
✓Federal life insurance coverage.
✓Paid vacation, sick leave, and federal holidays.
✓Ongoing professional development and training opportunities.
✓Stable career growth within the Department of Defense.

💡 How to Apply Supervisory Purchasing Agent Job & Insider Tips

Application Steps for Supervisory Purchasing Agent Job

Review the full job announcement details carefully.
Create or update your USAJOBS profile.
Prepare a resume that does not exceed two pages, saved as a PDF.
Click the apply link to complete the online questionnaire.
Upload all required supporting documentation, such as transcripts if applicable.
Monitor your email for invitations to USA Hire Competency Based Assessments.
Complete any required assessments within the 48-hour window if requested.

💡 General Tips

Keep your resume strictly under two pages; exceeding this will result in immediate disqualification.
Use 10-point text and 14-point title font sizes for readability.
Include specific hours worked per week and exact dates of employment for each experience block.
Check your spam or junk folder regularly for assessment invitations.
Save your application frequently; you can edit it until the closing date.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the maximum resume length?

Your resume must not exceed two pages. Resumes exceeding this limit will be removed from consideration.

Is this a remote position?

No, this role is located on-site at the Naval Shipyard in Portsmouth, Virginia.

What is the selection process for this role?

This position is being filled through Direct Hire Authority. Qualified applicants will be forwarded to the selecting official for consideration.

How do I handle reasonable accommodation requests?

*A: You may request a reasonable accommodation during the online application process for any stage of the assessment.

What if I have foreign education?

*A: You must provide a formal evaluation demonstrating equivalence to U.S. accreditation.

Job from Defense Logistics Agency

The Defense Logistics Agency acts as the backbone of the U.S. Department of Defense's logistics operations. Whether during times of peace or conflict, the DLA provides essential supply chain management and logistics services to the Military Departments, Unified Combatant Commands, and other federal agencies. By joining the DLA, you are not just taking a job; you are contributing to the readiness and operational capacity of the entire U.S. Armed Forces.