Three of six Purchasing employees who want to save you time, money, and frustration are, from left, senior buyer, Peter Beckett,
clerk typist, Leslie Noble, and buyer, Robert McKee. Missing from the photo are storekeeper, Patty McKee, clerk typist, Erica
Hatswell, and Marianne Ketchen, who is on leave and working in Financial Services. (Photo by Edna Sakata.)

eed a new chair? A box of pens?
A computer system? Call
Purchasing.

“Think of us as your local
department store,” says Peter Beckett,
senior buyer. “We’ve got everything
you need at prices you can’t beat, and
service too.”

The Purchasing department in the
basement of the Arbutus building
handles all College purchases. Staff are
trained to handle the intricacies of the
purchasing process and are experts in
saving time, money, and frustration in
the material world.

“Most people believe that buying
something is as simple as picking up
the phone and asking for it,” says Peter.
“But things can get complicated very
quickly. What happens if they send you
the wrong color, or it doesn’t arrive at

all? Do you have the time to track
everything down and hold people to
their word?”

The College’s Purchasing
department does. Staff are highly
trained to deal with all sorts of
eventualities. (Peter has a degree in
materials management that is
comparable to a CGA degree, and
others in the department are
continually taking courses.) In
addition, they are members of the
Purchasing Management Association
of Canada and operate within stringent
guidelines of professional conduct.
College buyers make sure that all
appropriate legal formalities are
followed. They create good working
environments with vendors, and they
are familiar with importing procedures
including exchange rates, carriers,

customs brokers, and Canadian duty/tax
law.

“People need to be aware that they
can get into legal trouble if they try to
make College purchases on their own.
A verbal commitment over the phone
can be as binding as a signed contract,”
says Peter. “So protect yourself by
calling us first.” He adds that the
Purchasing department is directed by
law to ensure that the College receives
the best value for public money spent
and that all prospective vendors receive
equal access to the College’s
requirements.

“Legalities are important,” says
Peter, “but you shouldn’t have to worry
about them. That’s our job. The best
reason for working with us is that we
can save you time and money.” The
purchasing department has hundreds of

@nformer