Buyer

Salary : $60,252.12 - $73,241.52 Annually
Location : San Bernardino, CA
Job Type: Full-Time
Job Number: 24-20271-09
Department: Finance Department
Opening Date: 09/30/2024
Closing Date: 10/20/2024 11:59 PM Pacific
Job Summary
Are you looking for an opportunity for professional growth and development? Consider joining the City of San Bernardino's Finance Department as a Buyer!
About the position:
This position performs a variety of complex, technical duties involved in the procurement and purchasing of materials, supplies, services and equipment including development of specifications, solicitation and recommendations of bids and proposals; negotiating contracts required in the maintenance and operations of the City. Engages in reviewing compliance/audit of purchase processes, contracts and bids; and performs related duties as assigned.
We are looking for someone with:

• Purchasing and Contracting Expertise - Strong understanding of public agency purchasing processes, bid evaluation, and contract administration, ensuring compliance with laws and policies.
• Vendor and Relationship Management - Ability to establish, maintain, and manage vendor relationships and relationships with departments.
• Analytical and Problem-Solving Skills - Proficiency in performing cost analyses, evaluating bids, and resolving procurement-related issues, including discrepancies and complaints.
• Organizational and Time Management - Capacity to prioritize tasks, manage multiple projects, and exercise independent judgment in purchasing decisions.
• Communication and Interpersonal Skills -Strong verbal and written communication skills are needed to interact with vendors and city personnel and resolve concerns diplomatically.
• Technical Proficiency and Record-Keeping - Skilled in maintaining accurate purchasing records, preparing reports, and efficiently utilizing relevant software and databases.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

• Receives, reviews, and processes purchase requisitions for the City and its departments; verifies compliance with pertinent laws, regulations, codes, and City policies and standards; reviews information to ensure it is complete, accurate, and order parameters are clear and understood; contacts department representatives to clarify or obtain additional information.
• Purchases, acquires, and gathers materials, goods, and services; develops a variety of technical specifications, RFQs, RFB's, and RFPs; ensures and monitors that all applicable legal and contractual provisions are included to safeguard the City's interests; evaluates bids, performs price/cost analyses, and assesses terms; calculates discounts, delivery conditions, and the quality and suitability of supplies, materials, and equipment; determines or recommends the award of bids to appropriate vendors.
• Represents Purchasing in interactions with customers, management, and other City personnel in procurement and distribution matters; confers with City personnel regarding needs; provides detailed technical guidance on purchasing, products, and suppliers, including specification development.
• Receives, responds to, investigates, and resolves procurement-related inquiries, concerns, complaints, and problems; identifies and addresses shipping and invoice discrepancies and level of service issues, or non-compliance with purchasing policies, practices, and procedures; monitors vendor delivery dates, identifies past due dates, and contacts vendors to develop a course of action to expedite orders; interprets and explains applicable laws, regulations, codes and policies; promptly responds to requests for emergency orders.
• Ensures that vendors meet City needs: establishes, develops, and maintains positive vendor relationships; researches, assesses and identifies new or more responsive vendors for products and services within areas of assigned responsibility; interviews vendors to evaluate products and services and to obtain information for use in developing proposals; educates and communicates with vendors regarding purchasing policies and procedures.
• Obtains, compiles, and gathers accurate and complete price and delivery information, product literature, and samples from suppliers.
• Establishes, organizes, and maintains applicable purchasing and vendor-related records, files, lists, forms, and other documentation.
• Writes, compiles, develops, edits, revises, and produces necessary correspondence, reports and other materials; inputs accurate and complete information into computer database.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Knowledge of -

• Principles, practices, methods, and techniques of public agency purchasing.
• Principles, practices, and techniques of drafting and administering purchase contracts and enforcing contract provisions.
• Federal and state laws, codes, and regulations and City policies and practices pertinent to areas of responsibility.
• Sources of supply and types of products, commodities, and services used by a full-service city government.
• Principles and practices of sound business communication.
• Recordkeeping practices and procedures related to a purchasing function.
• Methods of conducting product and vendor research.
• Standard shipping and receiving procedures, methods, and techniques.

Skill in -

• Developing, analyzing, and evaluating difficult to complex bid proposals, purchase requisitions, specifications, and other purchasing-related documents.
• Developing complete, concise technical specifications and supporting materials.
• Organizing, setting priorities, and exercising sound independent judgment within areas of responsibility.
• Understanding, interpreting, applying, and explaining applicable laws, codes, and ordinances.
• Efficiently conducting vendor and product research.
• Performing cost analyses.
• Exercising sound independent judgment within established guidelines.
• Preparing clear, concise, and documents.
• Exercising tact and diplomacy in interpersonal dealings which are difficult, highly-sensitive and confidential.
• Establishing and maintaining effective working relationships.

Minimum Qualifications
Education and Experience:
Bachelor's degree in public administration, business administration, finance, or related field; and at least two (2) years of progressively responsible professional purchasing experience; or an equivalent combination of education, training and experience.
Licenses, Certifications, and Equipment:
A valid California driver's license is required.
Professional certification from the National Institute of Governmental Accounting (CPPO) or the National Association of Purchasing Management (CPM) is highly desirable.
Physical Requirements and Work Environment: Employees work under typical office conditions, and the noise level is usually quiet. While performing the duties of this job, employees are regularly required to sit, walk, and stand; talk or hear, both in person and by telephone; use hands repetitively to manipulate, handle, feel, or operate standard office equipment, reach with hands and arms; and lift up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision and the ability to adjust focus.
Supplemental Information
BENEFITS AND REWARDS:
The City offers an attractive compensation and benefit package, that includes:

• Health Insurance - Monthly contribution for health, dental and vision premiums: $755.00 Employee Only, $1,377.00 Employee plus one, or $1,841.00 Employee plus Family. A "Health Insurance Waiver Stipend" of $4,000.00 every first paycheck of December for eligible employees who waive benefits.
• Vacation - 80 hours after one year, 96 hours of sick leave annually
• 13 holidays, plus 18 hours of floating holiday time.
• Retirement - California Public Employees' Retirement System (CalPERS). Classic members: 2% at 55 | New CALPERS members 2% at 62.
• Life & Accidental Death and Dismemberment Insurance
• 457 Deferred Compensation Plan, flexible benefits plan
• Flexible Spending Accounts such as pre-tax childcare plan
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Employee assistance program, and all other benefits which are received by
• Middle Management employees of the City per Memorandum of Understanding

SELECTION PROCEDURE
Apply - submit a completed job application and responses to the Supplemental Questionnaire, which fully describe the nature of your professional experience and qualifications. Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of the application or supplemental application materials.
Application Review -
A. Minimum qualifications
B. Completion of the supplemental questionnaire
The rating of the supplemental questions may determine application status and/or rank on the eligible list. Applications submitted without all required materials will not be considered.
Job Related Testing (examination) -
Oral Examination tentatively scheduled for the week of November 11, 2024.
Accommodation
The City of San Bernardino is committed to providing reasonable accommodations for qualified applicants with disabilities, whether physical or mental. If you require such accommodations during the assessment process, it is your responsibility to contact the Human Resources Department in writing before the recruitment closing date. For further details on how to request accommodation, please reach out to us at 909-384-5104 or via email at
Successful candidates will be placed on an eligible list, and highly qualified candidates will be referred to the appointing authority for further consideration. Candidates advancing in the selection process will receive information/instructions via email only.
Department Interviews - Actual hire depends on success in the departmental selection process. Tentatively scheduled for the week of November 18, 2024.
Pre-Employment Process may include, but is not limited to:

• Pre-employment Medical Exam including drug test.
• LiveScan Fingerprinting which reviews criminal history with the California Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)
• Employment/Professional Reference Check
• Confirmation of educational credentials and degrees, licenses including driver's license, registrations, certificates, and other credentials

The City of San Bernardino reserves the right to modify the selection process as necessary to conform to administrative or business necessity.
For more information about this position, please contact the
City of San Bernardino Human Resources Department at 909-384-5104.
THE CITY OF SAN BERNARDINO IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
Health Insurance - Eligible to receive a City contribution of $755.00 (Employee only), $1,377.00 (Employee + 1) or $1,841.00 (Employee + Family) to help offset health, dental and vision premiums. Eligible employees who waive all medical, dental, vision, supplemental life, and supplemental AD&D benefits will recieve an annual "Health Insurance Waiver Stipend" of $4,000.00 every first paycheck of December.
Retirement for Current Members - For employees hired after 1/1/2013 who are current members of California Public Employees' Retirement System (CalPERS) or a reciprocal agency as of 12/31/12 and have not been separated from service from such agency for six months or more, the retirement benefit shall be 2.7% @ 55 ; highest single year of compensation.
Retirement for New Members - For employees hired 1/1/2013 or later and who are not a member of the California Public Employees' Retirement System (CalPERS) or a reciprocal agency as of 12/31/12, or those who have been separated from a public agency which contracts with CalPERS or a reciprocal agency for six months or more, the retirement benefit shall be 2% @ 62 ; 3 year final compensation. New members will be obligated to pay 50% of the "normal cost" of their retirement benefits as required by State law.
01
Do you possess a valid Driver's License?Possession of a valid Class "C" California Driver's License is required. For out of State applicants, a valid driver's license is required. A valid Class "C" California Driver's License must be obtained within (10) days of appointment.

• Yes
• No
• No, but able to obtain one

02
Which of the following best describes your highest level of completed education:

• Less than High School Diploma or GED
• High School Diploma or GED
• Less than 2 years of college
• 2+ years of college
• Associate's Degree
• Bachelor's Degree
• Masters Degree or higher

03
If you have an Bachelor's Degree or higher from an accredited college or university please indicate the major of your degree:

• Not Applicable
• Public Administration
• Business Administration
• Finance
• Other related field
• Other non-related field

04
Do you have a professional certification from the National Institute of Governmental Accounting (CPPO) or the National Association of Purchasing Management (CPM)? If so please make sure to attach a copy to your application.

• Yes
• No

05
How many years of professional experience do you have in purchasing?

• None
• 12 months or less
• 1 year or more, but less than 2 years
• 2 years or more, but less than 3 years
• 3 years or more, but less than 4 years
• 4 years or more, but less than 5 years
• 5 years or more, but less than 6 years
• 6 years or more, but less than 7 years
• 7 years or more, but less than 8 years
• 8 years or more

Required Question