What are the responsibilities and job description for the Purchasing - Buyer I/II/III position at City of Abilene, Texas?
Job Description
Posted Monday, April 13, 2026 at 6:00 AM
GENERAL DESCRIPTION
Under the general direction of the Purchasing Manager and Purchasing Supervisor, the Buyer performs purchasing support functions for the Purchasing Division and City departments related to the procurement of materials, supplies, equipment, and services. This position processes and reviews purchasing documentation, maintains accurate records, and provides customer service to vendors and internal departments. The Buyer applies knowledge of established purchasing policies, procedures, and applicable laws to ensure transactions are complete and compliant. This role supports purchasing operations but does not have authority to make final procurement decisions.
SUPERVISION EXERCISED
This position exercises no supervision.
IMPORTANT AND ESSENTIAL DUTIES
Assist with bid openings, reviewing documentation for completeness, and preparing bid tabulations.
Maintain vendor files and contact information.
Work collaboratively with departments to resolve purchasing questions, discrepancies, or workflow issues.
Monitor open purchase orders and follow up on order status, delivery issues, or necessary change orders.
Support surplus property activities and auction process with the Purchasing Manager and Purchasing Supervisor.
Support maintaining accurate purchasing records and ensuring adherence to retention requirements.
Provide customer service to vendors and internal departments regarding purchasing procedures and requirements.
Provide support for purchasing operations, including data entry, scanning, filing, and record maintenance.
Process requisitions and purchase orders for routing and ensure documentation is complete.
Assist with the preparation of bid packets, addenda, meeting notices, and related communications.
Maintain bid logs, vendor lists, mailing lists, and internal databases.
Schedule bid openings and meetings; sign-in sheets, and record bid opening results.
Respond to inquiries from vendors and internal departments regarding purchasing processes and required documents.
Assist in maintaining purchasing files for compliance with public record and retention requirements.
Assist Purchasing Manager and Purchasing Supervisor with routine clerical tasks related to procurement activities.
Operate a City vehicle or personal vehicle to visit other work locations, attend meetings, and events.
OTHER JOB-RELATED DUTIES
Perform other job-related duties and responsibilities as assigned.
Knowledge Of:
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES
Basic purchasing principles, terminology, and practices.
Office procedures, recordkeeping, and documentation standards.
Purchasing workflows such as requisitions, purchase orders, and vendor files.
Customer service principles.
ERP or purchasing software systems at a basic user level.
Skill To:
Prepare and process purchasing documents accurately.
Enter and retrieve data using ERP systems and office software.
Communicate clearly and professionally with vendors and internal departments.
Organize, scan, file, and maintain purchasing records.
Follow established procedures and workflows.
Provide courteous and responsive customer service.
Work cooperatively in a team environment.
Ability To:
Learn and apply established purchasing policies, procedures, and guidelines.
Maintain accurate records with attention to detail.
Follow written and verbal instructions.
Meet deadlines and manage routine work assignments.
Establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with those contacted in the course of work, both internally and externally.
Follow and embrace the City of Abilene Core Values – Respect, Integrity, Service Above Self, and Excellence in All We Do.
Perform as a team member in a manner that accomplishes the Division’s mission and treats team members with dignity, courtesy, and respect.
Buyer II
Knowledge Of:
Purchasing processes and procedures, including informal quote requirements.
Public-sector procurement requirements and compliance principles.
Competitive bidding support processes, including bid documentation and tabulations.
Vendor onboarding and maintenance requirements.
Records retention and public information requirements related to purchasing.
ERP purchasing modules and workflow functions.
Skill To:
Review purchasing documentation for completeness and compliance.
Assist with bid openings, bid tabulations, and bid record maintenance.
Identify and resolve discrepancies in purchasing documents.
Maintain accurate bid logs, vendor lists, and purchasing databases.
Manage multiple purchasing tasks and priorities.
Explain purchasing procedures to departments and vendors.
Ability To:
Interpret and apply purchasing policies, procedures, and applicable laws to routine transactions.
Independently process purchasing documents within established authority.
Identify compliance issues and escalate them appropriately.
Support departmental staff with purchasing process guidance.
Maintain professionalism when resolving vendor or departmental concerns.
Contribute effectively as a knowledgeable team member.
Lead, manage, and perform as a team member in a manner that accomplishes the Division’s mission and treats team members with dignity, courtesy, and respect.
Buyer III
Knowledge Of:
Advanced purchasing processes, procedures, and compliance requirements.
Public-sector procurement laws and regulations.
Competitive bidding and procurement support functions.
Cooperative purchasing agreements and sourcing methods.
ERP system reporting and advanced purchasing functions.
Skill To:
Perform complex purchasing support functions requiring independent judgment.
Review purchasing transactions for policy and legal compliance prior to management approval.
Assist in resolving complex purchasing issues involving departments and vendors.
Provide technical guidance and informal training on purchasing procedures.
Identify process inefficiencies and recommend improvements.
Analyze purchasing data to support audits, reviews, or reporting needs.
Serve as a technical resource for purchasing processes.
Ability To:
Apply advanced knowledge of purchasing laws, policies, and procedures to complex transactions.
Exercise sound judgment within established purchasing authority.
Anticipate issues and proactively address workflow challenges.
Communicate complex purchasing requirements clearly and effectively.
Work independently with minimal supervision.
Experience And Training Guidelines:
For positions with more than one level, all listed requirements at the lower levels are required at the higher levels. Any combination equivalent to experience and training to provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities may be qualifying. Knowledge, skills, and abilities may be obtained through:
Experience:
One (1) year of administrative or clerical experience required.
Experience in purchasing, finance, accounts payable, or a related field preferred.
Education/Training:
High school diploma or GED required.
License Or Certificate:
A Texas driver’s license, the ability to obtain one within ninety (90) days of employment, or a military waiver is required.
Buyer II
Experience:
Two (2) years of experience in purchasing processes and procedures required.
Public Sector Procurement Experience Preferred.
Buyer III
Experience:
Three (3) years of experience in purchasing processes and procedures required.
Education/Training:
Public sector procurement experience required.
One year of professional development in public purchasing preferred.
SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:
Essential duties require the following physical skills and work environment:
Work in a standard office environment.
With or without accommodation, the “X” indicates the overall strength demand of the position during a typical workday:
___ Sedentary – lifting of no more than 10 pounds
___ Light – lifting no more than 20 pounds; carrying up to 10 pounds
_X_ Medium – lifting no more than 50 pounds; carrying up to 25 pounds
___ Heavy – lifting no more than 100 pounds; carrying up to 50 pounds
___ Very Heavy – team lifting over 100 pounds; carrying more than 50 pounds
Physical Demand Codes: The following describes whether or not the position is expected to exert the physical demands listed during a typical workday as well as the overall frequency of the task:
Codes For How Often:
N = No
E = Extensive (100 – 70% of the time)
M = Moderate (60 – 30% of the time)
I = Infrequent (20 – 10% of the time)
A = Almost Never (<10% of the time)
Code / Task
_I_ Standing
_E_ Sitting
_I__ Walking
_A_ Lifting
_A_ Carrying
_I__ Pushing/Pulling
_A_ Overhead Work
_E_ Fine Dexterity
_A_ Kneeling
_A_ Crouching
_N_ Crawling
_A_ Bending
_N_ Twisting
_N_ Climbing
_E_ Balancing
_E_ Vision
_E_ Hearing
_E_ Talking
___ Other: _____________________
Job Details
Job Family Buyer
Pay Type Hourly
Hiring Min Rate 21.16 USD
Hiring Max Rate 28.53 USD
Scan this QR code and apply!
Download
City Hall, 555 Walnut Street, Abilene, Texas, United States of America
Posted Monday, April 13, 2026 at 6:00 AM
GENERAL DESCRIPTION
Under the general direction of the Purchasing Manager and Purchasing Supervisor, the Buyer performs purchasing support functions for the Purchasing Division and City departments related to the procurement of materials, supplies, equipment, and services. This position processes and reviews purchasing documentation, maintains accurate records, and provides customer service to vendors and internal departments. The Buyer applies knowledge of established purchasing policies, procedures, and applicable laws to ensure transactions are complete and compliant. This role supports purchasing operations but does not have authority to make final procurement decisions.
SUPERVISION EXERCISED
This position exercises no supervision.
IMPORTANT AND ESSENTIAL DUTIES
Assist with bid openings, reviewing documentation for completeness, and preparing bid tabulations.
Maintain vendor files and contact information.
Work collaboratively with departments to resolve purchasing questions, discrepancies, or workflow issues.
Monitor open purchase orders and follow up on order status, delivery issues, or necessary change orders.
Support surplus property activities and auction process with the Purchasing Manager and Purchasing Supervisor.
Support maintaining accurate purchasing records and ensuring adherence to retention requirements.
Provide customer service to vendors and internal departments regarding purchasing procedures and requirements.
Provide support for purchasing operations, including data entry, scanning, filing, and record maintenance.
Process requisitions and purchase orders for routing and ensure documentation is complete.
Assist with the preparation of bid packets, addenda, meeting notices, and related communications.
Maintain bid logs, vendor lists, mailing lists, and internal databases.
Schedule bid openings and meetings; sign-in sheets, and record bid opening results.
Respond to inquiries from vendors and internal departments regarding purchasing processes and required documents.
Assist in maintaining purchasing files for compliance with public record and retention requirements.
Assist Purchasing Manager and Purchasing Supervisor with routine clerical tasks related to procurement activities.
Operate a City vehicle or personal vehicle to visit other work locations, attend meetings, and events.
OTHER JOB-RELATED DUTIES
Perform other job-related duties and responsibilities as assigned.
Knowledge Of:
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES
Basic purchasing principles, terminology, and practices.
Office procedures, recordkeeping, and documentation standards.
Purchasing workflows such as requisitions, purchase orders, and vendor files.
Customer service principles.
ERP or purchasing software systems at a basic user level.
Skill To:
Prepare and process purchasing documents accurately.
Enter and retrieve data using ERP systems and office software.
Communicate clearly and professionally with vendors and internal departments.
Organize, scan, file, and maintain purchasing records.
Follow established procedures and workflows.
Provide courteous and responsive customer service.
Work cooperatively in a team environment.
Ability To:
Learn and apply established purchasing policies, procedures, and guidelines.
Maintain accurate records with attention to detail.
Follow written and verbal instructions.
Meet deadlines and manage routine work assignments.
Establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with those contacted in the course of work, both internally and externally.
Follow and embrace the City of Abilene Core Values – Respect, Integrity, Service Above Self, and Excellence in All We Do.
Perform as a team member in a manner that accomplishes the Division’s mission and treats team members with dignity, courtesy, and respect.
Buyer II
Knowledge Of:
Purchasing processes and procedures, including informal quote requirements.
Public-sector procurement requirements and compliance principles.
Competitive bidding support processes, including bid documentation and tabulations.
Vendor onboarding and maintenance requirements.
Records retention and public information requirements related to purchasing.
ERP purchasing modules and workflow functions.
Skill To:
Review purchasing documentation for completeness and compliance.
Assist with bid openings, bid tabulations, and bid record maintenance.
Identify and resolve discrepancies in purchasing documents.
Maintain accurate bid logs, vendor lists, and purchasing databases.
Manage multiple purchasing tasks and priorities.
Explain purchasing procedures to departments and vendors.
Ability To:
Interpret and apply purchasing policies, procedures, and applicable laws to routine transactions.
Independently process purchasing documents within established authority.
Identify compliance issues and escalate them appropriately.
Support departmental staff with purchasing process guidance.
Maintain professionalism when resolving vendor or departmental concerns.
Contribute effectively as a knowledgeable team member.
Lead, manage, and perform as a team member in a manner that accomplishes the Division’s mission and treats team members with dignity, courtesy, and respect.
Buyer III
Knowledge Of:
Advanced purchasing processes, procedures, and compliance requirements.
Public-sector procurement laws and regulations.
Competitive bidding and procurement support functions.
Cooperative purchasing agreements and sourcing methods.
ERP system reporting and advanced purchasing functions.
Skill To:
Perform complex purchasing support functions requiring independent judgment.
Review purchasing transactions for policy and legal compliance prior to management approval.
Assist in resolving complex purchasing issues involving departments and vendors.
Provide technical guidance and informal training on purchasing procedures.
Identify process inefficiencies and recommend improvements.
Analyze purchasing data to support audits, reviews, or reporting needs.
Serve as a technical resource for purchasing processes.
Ability To:
Apply advanced knowledge of purchasing laws, policies, and procedures to complex transactions.
Exercise sound judgment within established purchasing authority.
Anticipate issues and proactively address workflow challenges.
Communicate complex purchasing requirements clearly and effectively.
Work independently with minimal supervision.
Experience And Training Guidelines:
For positions with more than one level, all listed requirements at the lower levels are required at the higher levels. Any combination equivalent to experience and training to provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities may be qualifying. Knowledge, skills, and abilities may be obtained through:
Experience:
One (1) year of administrative or clerical experience required.
Experience in purchasing, finance, accounts payable, or a related field preferred.
Education/Training:
High school diploma or GED required.
License Or Certificate:
A Texas driver’s license, the ability to obtain one within ninety (90) days of employment, or a military waiver is required.
Buyer II
Experience:
Two (2) years of experience in purchasing processes and procedures required.
Public Sector Procurement Experience Preferred.
Buyer III
Experience:
Three (3) years of experience in purchasing processes and procedures required.
Education/Training:
Public sector procurement experience required.
One year of professional development in public purchasing preferred.
SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:
Essential duties require the following physical skills and work environment:
Work in a standard office environment.
With or without accommodation, the “X” indicates the overall strength demand of the position during a typical workday:
___ Sedentary – lifting of no more than 10 pounds
___ Light – lifting no more than 20 pounds; carrying up to 10 pounds
_X_ Medium – lifting no more than 50 pounds; carrying up to 25 pounds
___ Heavy – lifting no more than 100 pounds; carrying up to 50 pounds
___ Very Heavy – team lifting over 100 pounds; carrying more than 50 pounds
Physical Demand Codes: The following describes whether or not the position is expected to exert the physical demands listed during a typical workday as well as the overall frequency of the task:
Codes For How Often:
N = No
E = Extensive (100 – 70% of the time)
M = Moderate (60 – 30% of the time)
I = Infrequent (20 – 10% of the time)
A = Almost Never (<10% of the time)
Code / Task
_I_ Standing
_E_ Sitting
_I__ Walking
_A_ Lifting
_A_ Carrying
_I__ Pushing/Pulling
_A_ Overhead Work
_E_ Fine Dexterity
_A_ Kneeling
_A_ Crouching
_N_ Crawling
_A_ Bending
_N_ Twisting
_N_ Climbing
_E_ Balancing
_E_ Vision
_E_ Hearing
_E_ Talking
___ Other: _____________________
Job Details
Job Family Buyer
Pay Type Hourly
Hiring Min Rate 21.16 USD
Hiring Max Rate 28.53 USD
Scan this QR code and apply!
Download
City Hall, 555 Walnut Street, Abilene, Texas, United States of America