Buyer

City of Fremont•Fremont, CA

28d•Onsite

About The Position

The City of Fremont's Finance Department is recruiting for a Buyer. This journey-level classification reports to the Purchasing Services Manager in the Finance Department. The Buyer performs complex procurement related work, involving customer support for all departments within the City. This position must interpret, implement, and ensure compliance with applicable governmental regulations related to public procurement, such as the California Public Contract Code and the City Municipal Purchasing Ordinance. The Buyer may perform other duties as required. The Buyer is distinguished from the next higher class of Purchasing Service Manager in that the latter oversees the City's Purchasing Division.

Requirements

Graduation from High School with some college coursework in accounting, public/business administration, or a related field, and three years’ experience in purchasing and expediting a variety of materials, supplies and equipment, including developing formal specifications and sources of supply.
Knowledge of principles and practices of governmental purchasing; sources of supplies, materials, and equipment; proper English usage, spelling, grammar and punctuation and demonstrated proficiency; business letter writing formats; numerical and alphabetic filing systems; processing of forms and documents; contemporary office practices and principles; effective communication techniques; the operation of modern office equipment; and personal computer operating systems and software applications.
Skills to write comprehensive, concise reports and correspondence; maintain basic statistical and accounting records; solve difficult purchasing related problems; type accurately and meet keyboard proficiency standards; proofread to identify and correct errors in grammar, spelling, punctuation and arithmetic; perform numerical calculations with speed and accuracy using 10-key equipment; perform detailed, accurate work and meet deadlines; research to obtain appropriate information and resources; prioritize work and monitor work flow; assign work to appropriate staff; utilize personal computer and computer software to perform word processing, spreadsheet and specialized functions.
Ability to learn and apply the City of Fremont principals, procedures, and practices; learn specialized computer software programs for use on the job; and exemplify an enthusiastic, resourceful and effective service attitude with the public, co-workers and others who are contacted in the course of the work.
Incumbents must possess the physical and mental capacity to work under the conditions described in this document and to perform the duties required by their assigned position.
Ability to travel independently within and outside of City limits.
Possession of, or ability to obtain by time of appointment, a valid Class C California Driver License is required. Failure to maintain this license will result in discipline up to and including termination.

Nice To Haves

Possession of Certified Professional Public Buyer certificate is highly desired.

Responsibilities

Coordinates procurement activities with all city departments.
Maintains knowledge of City resources, including equipment, supplies, and services, and works with City staff to determine appropriate inventory levels and service needs.
Manages the procurement and disposal of City capital assets.
Maintains procurement-related data in the City’s financial management system.
Reviews purchase requisitions, obtains any necessary clarification, and generates procurement documents for goods and services.
Develops detailed specifications for goods and services.
Identifies prospective suppliers and vendors.
Prepares informal Requests for Quotes or formal Requests for Bids and Requests for Proposals.
Solicits competitive bids; coordinates and conducts pre-bid conferences.
Evaluates and analyzes bids; communicates bid results; assists with negotiations.
Conducts market surveys to identify new sources and products; develops diversified sources for procuring goods and services.
Explains purchasing policies and procedures to City staff and potential vendors; trains City staff on those aspects of the City’s financial management system related to procurement.
Coordinate or provide training and support for City purchasing programs, such as the purchasing card program.
Resolves conflicts between vendors and the City while maintaining positive working relationships.
Maintains files in compliance with the City’s records retentions policy; compiles reports related to various aspects of City procurement activities.
Prepares responses to public record requests.
Other duties as assigned.