What are the responsibilities and job description for the Purchasing Agent position at City of El Segundo?
First review of applications will be completed on January 17 2026, at 5:00 p.m. Applications received after January 17, 2026, may not be considered.
Under general supervision, plans, manages, coordinates and facilitates the City's centralized purchasing program for material, equipment, supplies and services.
ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS: Essential functions, as defined under the Americans with Disabilities Act, may include the following duties and responsibilities, knowledge, skills and other characteristics. This list of duties and responsibilities is ILLUSTRATIVE ONLY and is not a comprehensive listing of all functions and tasks performed by positions in this class.
Characteristic Duties And Responsibilities
Positions in this classification typically perform a full range of duties at a level of complexity represented by the following types of responsibilities:
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential function. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.
Knowledge Of
A combination of experience and training that would likely provide the required knowledge, skills and abilities may be qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be:
Experience: Four (4) years increasingly responsible experience of professional purchasing experience.
Education: Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with major coursework in public or business administration, or related field; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
License/Certificates: Possession of or ability to obtain a Class C California driver's license, and a satisfactory driving record. Occupational certificate of achievement from an accredited college or university.
Working Conditions: Typical office environment and exposure to environmental conditions presented at various City locations.
Disaster Service Worker: In accordance with Government Code Section 3100, City of El Segundo employees, in the event of a disaster, are considered disaster service workers and may be asked to respond accordingly.
The City of El Segundo is an Equal Opportunity Employer, committed to supporting Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion initiatives to build and sustain an environment that values diversity, welcomes opportunities to engage and understand others, and fosters a sense of belonging.
Under general supervision, plans, manages, coordinates and facilitates the City's centralized purchasing program for material, equipment, supplies and services.
ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS: Essential functions, as defined under the Americans with Disabilities Act, may include the following duties and responsibilities, knowledge, skills and other characteristics. This list of duties and responsibilities is ILLUSTRATIVE ONLY and is not a comprehensive listing of all functions and tasks performed by positions in this class.
Characteristic Duties And Responsibilities
Positions in this classification typically perform a full range of duties at a level of complexity represented by the following types of responsibilities:
- Plans, organizes, and directs purchasing activities; controls purchase orders and related documents for completeness, accuracy, and compliance with purchasing and budgetary policies and procedures; ensures effective inventory control and issuance of equipment and supplies; may administer assigned contracts.
- Develops and implements formal and informal bidding policies; develops bid documents and specifications for supplies, materials, equipment, and related services; evaluates bids against specifications and recommends or awards contracts or purchases in accordance with City code, laws and established policy.
- Interviews and negotiates with vendor representatives concerning the availability, price, and terms of purchase supplies and equipment; provides liaison between vendors and City departments as related to purchasing activities.
- Directs the transfer of City equipment and disposition of surplus property; maintains fixed asset and inventory records.
- Advises, and otherwise provides assistance to other City staff regarding purchasing activity; assists in developing departmental budgets for supplies and equipment on request; prepares and presents reports evaluating requirements for goods and services in relation to bid specifications; may recommend action on City contracts and agreements.
- Develops and implements purchasing and stores goals, objectives, policies, and procedures; maintains documentation of City purchasing procedures; prepares the purchasing and central stores budget requests.
- Prepares change orders, Council agenda items, and other documents concerning purchasing matters.
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential function. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.
Knowledge Of
- Knowledge of the principles and practices of purchasing and inventory control for a governmental agency.
- Knowledge of record keeping methods related to the purchasing function.
- Knowledge of laws and regulations applicable to municipal bidding procedures and purchasing operations.
- Knowledge of sources and types of equipment and supplies used by a municipality.
- Skill performing purchasing, centralized stores, and inventory control activities and functions.
- Skill preparing and presenting reports.
- Skill interpreting and applying related codes, laws and policies.
- Skill in meeting the public in situations requiring diplomacy and tact.
- Skill communicating effectively both orally and in writing.
- Skill in the use of personal computers and office/purchasing software in a Windows-based operating environment.
- Skill establishing and maintaining cooperative working relationships.
- Skill in negotiating terms and conditions, pricing and scheduling.
A combination of experience and training that would likely provide the required knowledge, skills and abilities may be qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be:
Experience: Four (4) years increasingly responsible experience of professional purchasing experience.
Education: Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with major coursework in public or business administration, or related field; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
License/Certificates: Possession of or ability to obtain a Class C California driver's license, and a satisfactory driving record. Occupational certificate of achievement from an accredited college or university.
Working Conditions: Typical office environment and exposure to environmental conditions presented at various City locations.
Disaster Service Worker: In accordance with Government Code Section 3100, City of El Segundo employees, in the event of a disaster, are considered disaster service workers and may be asked to respond accordingly.
The City of El Segundo is an Equal Opportunity Employer, committed to supporting Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion initiatives to build and sustain an environment that values diversity, welcomes opportunities to engage and understand others, and fosters a sense of belonging.