Buyer

City of Rialto, CA • Rialto, CA

37d

About The Position

Under general supervision, performs purchasing functions including reviewing a wide range of purchase requisitions, researching vendors and pricing, preparing bid specifications, issuing bid requests and reviewing quotations; creates purchase orders; and performs related duties as assigned. A Buyer performs specialized and technical purchasing duties in accordance with applicable laws, policies, procedures and guidelines. Assigned work requires broad knowledge of the functions applicable to municipal purchasing and procurement activities and the ability to solve routine to moderately difficult problems. Employees in this class typically report to the Purchasing Manager. A Buyer is distinguished from a Senior Buyer in that an incumbent in the latter class oversees the day-to-day operations of the department and performs purchasing duties associated with lower-volume/higher-dollar items involving more complex, non-routine purchasing actions and requiring significantly more analytic effort to determine item value and quality.

Requirements

• Graduation from high school or evidence of equivalent educational proficiency.
• Two years of progressively responsible purchasing and contracting experience.
• A valid California Class C driver's license and the ability to maintain insurability under the City's vehicle insurance program.
• Knowledge of: Practices and techniques of public agency budgeting, maintenance of public records and purchasing, including competitive bidding procedures.
• Knowledge of: General types and sources of products, commodities and supplies used by a city.
• Knowledge of: Basic risk-management policies as they pertain to vendor insurance requirements.
• Knowledge of: Research and data analysis techniques.
• Knowledge of: Customer service practices and telephone communication etiquette.
• Knowledge of: Federal and state laws and regulations and City policies and procedures governing purchasing and contracting activities.
• Knowledge of: Negotiation, mediation and conflict-resolution skills.
• Knowledge of: Principles and practices of sound business communication; correct English usage, including spelling, grammar and punctuation.
• Knowledge of: Safety policies and safe work practices applicable to the work.
• Knowledge of: Uses and operations of computers, standard business software and specialized database and spreadsheet applications.
• Ability to: Perform a variety of functions and procedures used in the purchasing and contracting of City supplies, services and equipment.
• Ability to: Evaluate contract, agreement and bid language and related documents and make sound recommendations for improvement.
• Ability to: Expedite and prioritize purchasing transactions, deliveries and requests for services as needed.
• Ability to: Organize, set priorities and exercise sound, independent judgement within areas of responsibility.
• Ability to: Make arithmetic and statistical calculations and perform basic cost accounting quickly and accurately.
• Ability to: Maintain auditable bid files and records and prepare reports and presentations.
• Ability to: Operate a computer, standard business software and a variety of computer software programs and databases related to area of assignment.
• Ability to: Reach sound decisions in accordance with City policies and procedures.
• Ability to: Communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.
• Ability to: Understand and follow written and oral instructions.
• Ability to: Establish and maintain effective working relationships with all those encountered in the course of work.

Responsibilities

• Processes purchase requisitions, competitive quotes, various contracts and bids; reviews incoming requisitions for departmental authorization, appropriateness of requested items or service and verifies availability of funds.
• Conducts research to identify potential sources and vendors for specified products; obtains price quotes and data on comparative price, quality, availability, terms and delivery; performs price, cost and value analyses of bids, quotes and proposals to determine which responses best suit the City's needs; prepares documentation and awards contracts; places orders for materials and supplies with lowest responsible bidders and sources of supply; ensures procurement actions comply with policies/procedures and directives.
• Identifies vendors and checks master vendor list to assign correct vendor numbers; enters new vendor data and updates accordingly; communicates with vendors and City departments regarding deliveries, order adjustments, payments and procedures; maintains vendor resource lists and provides primary expediting functions.
• Executes change orders and amendments to purchase orders, contracts and vendors to ensure timely delivery and appropriate quality and quantity of materials and supplies.
• Prepares and maintains files for purchase orders, contracts, bids and other documents in a timely and accurate manner and in auditable condition.
• Interprets, explains and provides technical expertise and guidance to City staff, contractors and vendors in the acquisition of service, equipment and supplies including the development of technical specifications, procurement policies and procedures and other procurement issues; analyzes emergencies accurately and quickly and takes effective courses of action.
• Organizes and presents analytical data and reports to support purchasing and contracting activities and make sound business decisions or recommendations.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Industry: Executive, Legislative, and Other General Government Support
• Education Level: High school or GED