Buyer

Under direction, to purchase or negotiate the purchase of materials, heavy and light duty vehicle parts, supplies, equipment, and services for use by District departments and divisions.

The Buyer is responsible for conducting routine procurement assignments for a wide variety of goods and services in support of the operation of the District. The Buyer is responsible for sourcing suppliers, and monitoring inventory levels, and ensuring compliance with District procurement policies and practices.

The incumbent in this role will exercise attention to detail, excellent communication skills, and an ability to work collaboratively with internal stakeholders and external vendors.

Class Characteristics

This is a journey level classification. This position performs a wide range of purchasing functions. The Buyer is expected to fulfill all assigned responsibilities in accordance with existing regulations and policies. The Buyer is also required to make decisions independently and solve problems related to purchasing activities. Resolution of conflicts between providers and end users is an integral part of this position.

Typical activities include purchasing of commodities of a technical and specialized nature. This classification promotes the most effective use of the District’s funds in the procurement of materials, supplies, and equipment for the District and performs a diverse range of clerical functions in support of procurement and inventory management objectives. Moderate level of supervision is required.

Supervision Received And Exercised

This classification reports to the Maintenance Manager. This position does not supervise.

Core Competencies

• Vendor Management: Sourcing and evaluating suppliers/vendors, and managing vendor relationships to ensure compliance, quality, and cost-effectiveness.
• Cost Control: Conducting cost comparisons, reviews, and analyses, and implementing cost-saving strategies while maintaining quality standards.
• Market Research and Analysis: Conducting fundamental market research, and identifying potential suppliers to support informed decision-making and strategic sourcing initiatives.
• Negotiation Skills: Negotiating pricing, terms, and conditions with vendors to secure favorable purchases for the District.
• Data Analysis and Reporting: Analyzing procurement data, generating reports, and presenting findings to stakeholders to support decision-making, monitor performance, and ensure transparency.
• Ethics and Compliance: Upholding ethical standards, promoting transparency, and ensuring adherence to procurement ethics, conflict of interest policies, and compliance requirements.
• Communication Skills: Effectively communicates with internal stakeholders, vendors, and regulatory agencies orally and in writing. This includes writing clear and concise procurement documents, contracts, and reports.
• Relationship Building - Establishing rapport and maintaining mutually productive relationships with both internal and external customers.