Buyer I/II

Description

Buyer I is the entry level of the Buyer series responsible for the timely procurement of quality goods and services at favorable prices for the City’s operations. Buyer II is responsible for performing the timely procurement of quality goods and services at favorable prices for the City’s operations for more complex and high‑dollar goods and services.

Principal Duties – Buyer I

• Analyze, bid, and award purchase orders for goods and services valued in excess of $50K.
• Advise and assist department users in the formulation of specifications.
• Secure bids.
• Conduct public bid openings and public pre‑bid conferences.
• Examine, verify, and approve purchase requests.
• Review requisitions for consistency with established policies and procedures.
• Administer contracts for capital improvement projects, professional services, and consulting services.
• Conduct informal and/or formal bid processes for assigned warehouse as required to ensure prompt supply of materials and maintain appropriate stock levels.
• Assist with the administration of the City procurement card program, as assigned.
• Train department users on financial computer applications related to purchasing and inventory.
• Analyze, review, and bid annual blanket contracts at renewal time or as required.
• Assist with monitoring and disposing of surplus, obsolete, and salvageable property as needed.
• Utilize purchasing cooperatives and pursue joint cooperative purchasing efforts with other local governments to increase purchasing power and lower overall cost to the City.
• Work with staff and other city employees on continuous improvement of purchasing services to ensure a consistent, simple system that complies with applicable laws and regulations.
• Comply with all federal, state, and local legal requirements by studying existing and new legislation, anticipating future legislation, enforcing adherence, filing financial reports, and advising management on required actions.
• Participate in the development and implementation of goals, objectives, policies, and priorities for assigned activities; recommend and administer policies and procedures.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Principal Duties – Buyer II

• Perform all duties of Buyer I.
• Analyze requirements for difficult and complex contracts and recommend to management the appropriate method of procurement.
• Advise and assist department users in the formulation of specifications.
• Secure bids.
• Conduct public bid openings and public pre‑bid conferences.
• Analyze standard and/or unique contract requirements, special provisions, terms, and conditions to ensure compliance with local, state, and federal statutes.
• Assist in assembling non‑standard agreements with terms favorable to the City and recognize terms that are not favorable.
• May be responsible for direct supervision of assigned subordinates, including managing workflow, training, evaluating performance, providing feedback, resolving employee issues, assisting with hiring, and recommending termination actions (as assigned).
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications – Buyer I

• Bachelor’s Degree in accounting, finance, management or related field; and two (2) years of relevant experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience sufficient to successfully perform essential duties.
• Current professional purchasing and/or contract management certification, or ability to obtain certification immediately upon eligibility.
• Knowledge of centralized purchasing and warehouse principles, practices, and theories.
• Knowledge of mid‑size company computerized purchasing and financial applications.
• Customer service orientation.
• Continuous improvement orientation.
• Teamwork focus.
• Self‑starter.
• Professional attitude.
• Well organized.
• Detail oriented.
• Problem‑solving skills.
• Communication skills (written and oral).
• Preferred: Knowledge of government contracting and purchasing principles and practices.
• Preferred: Knowledge of municipal management practices.

Qualifications – Buyer II

• Meet all minimum requirements of Buyer I.
• Bachelor’s Degree in accounting, finance, management or related field; and four (4) years of experience in procurement or related field, or an equivalent combination of education and experience sufficient to successfully perform essential duties.
• Current professional purchasing and/or contract management certification, with preference for certifications conducive to supervisory or managerial positions. Examples include:
  • Certified Purchasing Manager (CPM)
  • Certified Professional in Supply Management (CPSM)
  • Certified Procurement Professional (CPP)
  • Certified Public Purchasing Officer (CPPO)
  • Certified Professional Contract Manager (CPCM)
• Working understanding of contract terms such as release, indemnification, insurance, warranty, limitation of liability, payment terms, and milestones.

Application Information

Position open until filled or closing date. The City is an Equal Opportunity and Military Friendly Employer. Applications may be filed online at www.cstx.gov/careers or emailed to recruiting@cstx.gov.