Sr Buyer

Position Title

Sr Buyer (Full-Time Regular) (Classified)

REQUISITION #:

req8369

Department

Purchasing

LOCATION:

215 OFFICE BLDG

Benefit Category

Classified (Non-CBU)

Classified Employee Benefit Highlights.pdf

Employment Type

Full-Time Regular

Flsa Status

Exempt

Annual Salary Range

$72,013.00 - 120,015.00 (Salaries are paid biweekly)

Annual Anticipated Hiring Range

$88,000.00 - 105,000.00 (Salaries are paid biweekly)

Selection Process

Application deadline is

3:00 p.m. MT on 3/30/2026

The City of Fort Collins is a bias-conscious employer. We ask that you please avoid the use of photos when submitting a resume and/or an application for employment. You will receive an email acknowledgment when you have successfully submitted an application. Your completed application will be forwarded to the hiring manager. You will be notified if you are selected for further testing or interviews. Please keep your contact information up-to-date. The status of your application will be updated in your applicant profile.

Post-Offer Requirements

• Background check (Background checks are considered in relation to the responsibilities and requirements of the position)
  
  

While the City of Fort Collins offers many remote and/or hybrid positions, all remote or hybrid work must be performed in the state of Colorado.

Why Work For the City of Fort Collins?

• Medical, dental, vision (for self, spouse, domestic partner, children) – eligible on the 1st of the month following date of hire
• Paid vacation, paid holidays, sick leave, and additional one-time bank of 40 PTO hours for new, full-time, Classified and Unclassified Management hires
• Retirement company contributions – after 6 month probation period and immediate vesting
• Flexible spending: Medical expenses FSA, dependent FSA or both
• Employee Assistance Program: counseling, legal, financial assistance
• Life insurance, short-term and long-term disability
• Wellness program, workout facilities
• Employee/family onsite health clinic
• Learning and development opportunities at all levels in the organization with opportunities for career mobility
• Collaborative work environment
  
  

To learn more about The City of Fort Collins and Our Community, please read Our Community and Our Organization Brochure

Job Summary

The City of Fort Collins is seeking a Sr Buyer to join our Finance department. The Sr Buyer leads and administers complex, high-value, and high-impact procurements that support City departments, with a primary focus on technology, software, SaaS, cloud-based solutions, professional services, and capital projects. This role manages non-standard and technology-driven competitive solicitations, develops outcome-based specifications and Statements of Work, and partners closely with IT, Finance, Legal, Utilities, and other stakeholders to deliver best-value solutions that meet operational, cybersecurity, integration, and lifecycle cost requirements.

The Senior Buyer drafts and negotiates sophisticated contracts including software licensing, data protection, SLAs, and renewals while ensuring compliance with City Code, purchasing policies, and applicable state and federal regulations. Serving as a strategic advisor and primary vendor liaison, the position leads RFP evaluation committees, conducts financial and risk analysis, oversees contract performance throughout the lifecycle, and drives continuous improvement initiatives to modernize procurement practices, and enhance efficiency.

Essential Duties And Responsibilities

The following duties and responsibilities are illustrative of the primary functions of this position and are not intended to be all inclusive.

• Leads and administers complex, high-dollar, and high-impact procurements for software, SaaS, cloud-based solutions, technology services, professional services, materials, and capital projects in compliance with City Code, Purchasing Policies and Procedures, and applicable federal procurement requirements.
• Manages predominantly non-standard and technology-driven procurements, evaluating alternative delivery and contracting approaches—including subscription-based software models, enterprise licensing, cooperative agreements, and alternative project delivery methods when applicable.
• Partners with internal stakeholders (IT, Utilities, Finance, Legal, and user departments) to develop clear, outcome-based specifications and Statements of Work (SOWs) for Invitations to Bids (ITBs) and Requests for Proposals (RFPs), with particular emphasis on technology requirements, system integrations, data security, scalability, and lifecycle cost considerations.
• Identifies potential vendors for specific goods and services, conducts meetings with vendors, participates in product demonstrations, oversees reference evaluations and interacts with stakeholders.
• Coordinates and administers competitive solicitation processes for technology and professional services procurements, including drafting solicitation documents, issuing public notices, conducting and documenting bid/proposal openings, overseeing evaluations, and coordinating contract awards.
• Leads and facilitates RFP evaluation committees, including technology-focused procurements, ensuring evaluation criteria appropriately balance technical capability, cybersecurity, implementation approach, vendor experience, cost, and long-term value.
• Implements techniques for identifying best value procurements using best practices and analytical tools.
• Drafts, negotiates, administers, and enforces complex contracts, with a strong focus on software and technology agreements, including licensing terms, data protection, information security, service level agreements (SLAs), renewals, and change management.
• Monitors technology and service contracts throughout their lifecycle, including renewals, amendments, performance evaluations, and re-procurements, ensuring alignment with business needs and budget constraints.
• Manages and strengthens vendor relationships, serving as a primary point of contact for assigned technology and professional service vendors; facilitates effective communication between vendors and City departments; resolves disputes; and supports vendors in understanding City procurement processes
• Recommends and develops improvements to purchasing policies, processes, and programs, with a focus on modernizing procurement practices, improving efficiency, managing technology risk, and maximizing value for the City.
• Supports continuous improvement initiatives, including LEAN efforts, process automation, and data-driven decision making within the procurement function.
  
  

Management Responsibilities

No

City Competencies

• Demonstrated cultural competence to effectively interact, work, and develop meaningful relationships with people of diverse identities, perspectives, and cultural backgrounds.
• Strong learning orientation. Leverages all resources and is creative in ways of learning for self to continue adapting to changing issues and trends.
• A desire and ability to understand the diverse needs of internal and external customers, and to create experiences and deliver services that exceed their expectations.
• A desire and ability to utilize digital tools for organizational information, individual, and teamwork.
  
  

Required Knowledge Skills And Abilities

• Complex understanding of guidelines such as City Charter Ordinances, Purchasing Policies and Procedures, State Statutes, Federal Laws, and the Uniform Commercial Code.
• Demonstrated negotiation experience and strong knowledge of contract principles and practices.
• Advanced ability to use procurement, financial, database, spreadsheet, word processing and presentation software.
• Ability to do Excel based financial analysis.
• Ability to prepare bid specifications, Statements of Work, and Request for Proposals.
• Exceptional interpersonal skills.
• Working knowledge of assigned departments.
• Working knowledge of construction project management.
  
  

MinimumPreferred

Required Qualifications

College degree or equivalent work experience. Some positions may require functionally related certification or advanced degrees Bachelor's degree in business, finance, construction management, or related field from an accredited college or university

Experience Requirements

• 5 years related experience, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
  
  

At the City, we are focused on finding the strongest candidate for the role, and we recognize that excellence can come from a wide variety of experiences and paths. When reviewing applications, we consider an equivalent combination of knowledge, skills, education, and lived experiences that align with the minimum qualifications. If you are interested in this opportunity, we encourage you to view your background broadly and highlight the skills and experiences that best prepare you for the role.

Certifications/Licenses/Specialized Training

• Certified Public Purchasing Buyer (CPPB) preferred. Certified Public Purchasing Officer (CPPO) preferred.
  
  

The content in this posting was created for recruitment purposes. To view the full job description click the link below.

Sr Buyer

The City of Fort Collins will make reasonable accommodations for access to City services, programs and activities and will make special communication arrangements for persons with disabilities. Please call (970) 221-6535 for assistance.

Notice Regarding Medical and/or Recreational Marijuana Use

Because the possession and use of marijuana, whether for medical use or otherwise, constitutes a federal offense and because the City is a drug free workplace, the City will not accommodate the medical use of marijuana and enforces written policy prohibiting working for the City while marijuana is in the body. The fact that state law recognizes medical marijuana as a prescribed, or otherwise permitted, medication does not alter or otherwise change this policy.

The City is committed to equal employment opportunity for all applicants and employees. Employment decisions will comply with all applicable laws prohibiting discrimination in employment. The City does not tolerate behavior that results in the terms and conditions of employment being adversely impacted based on an employee’s protected status, or any behavior that violates this policy.

Consistent with the City’s respect for the rights and dignity of each employee, the City is committed to providing a work environment that is free from unlawful discrimination and harassment. The City prohibits discrimination or harassment based on protected characteristics, including race, color, national origin, ancestry, creed, religion, sex, sexual orientation (including perceived sexual orientation), gender, gender identity, gender expression, disability, age 40 years or older, pregnancy or related condition, military, veteran status or uniformed service member status, genetic information, marital status or any other status protected under federal, state or local law.

The City is committed to providing a healthy and safe work environment. In addition to the City’s commitment to equal opportunity employment, the City strictly prohibits discrimination or retaliation against an employee who raises any reasonable concern about workplace violations of government health or safety rules or a significant threat to the health or safety of City employees or the public, if the City controls the workplace conditions giving rise to the threat or violation.

Note: Some information in your application may be public information under the Colorado Open Records Act.