Buyer

JOB
******* WORKING HOURS MAY CHANGE TO TUESDAY THRU FRIDAY*******Under general supervision, performs purchasing functions including reviewing a wide range of purchase requisitions, researching vendors and pricing, preparing bid specifications, issuing bid requests and reviewing quotations; creates purchase orders; and performs related duties as assigned.A Buyer performs specialized and technical purchasing duties in accordance with applicable laws, policies, procedures and guidelines. Assigned work requires broad knowledge of the functions applicable to municipal purchasing and procurement activities and the ability to solve routine to moderately difficult problems. Employees in this class typically report to the Purchasing Manager. A Buyer is distinguished from a Senior Buyer in that an incumbent in the latter class oversees the day-to-day operations of the department and performs purchasing duties associated with lower-volume/higher-dollar items involving more complex, non-routine purchasing actions and requiring significantly more analytic effort to determine item value and quality.

EXAMPLE OF DUTIES
The duties listed below are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to this class.Processes purchase requisitions, competitive quotes, various contracts and bids; reviews incoming requisitions for departmental authorization, appropriateness of requested items or service and verifies availability of funds.Conducts research to identify potential sources and vendors for specified products; obtains price quotes and data on comparative price, quality, availability, terms and delivery; performs price, cost and value analyses of bids, quotes and proposals to determine which responses best suit the City’s needs; prepares documentation and awards contracts; places orders for materials and supplies with lowest responsible bidders and sources of supply; ensures procurement actions comply with policies/procedures and directives.Identifies vendors and checks master vendor list to assign correct vendor numbers; enters new vendor data and updates accordingly; communicates with vendors and City departments regarding deliveries, order adjustments, payments and procedures; maintains vendor resource lists and provides primary expediting functions. Executes change orders and amendments to purchase orders, contracts and vendors to ensure timely delivery and appropriate quality and quantity of materials and supplies.Prepares and maintains files for purchase orders, contracts, bids and other documents in a timely and accurate manner and in auditable condition.Interprets, explains and provides technical expertise and guidance to City staff, contractors and vendors in the acquisition of service, equipment and supplies including the development of technical specifications, procurement policies and procedures and other procurement issues; analyzes emer­gencies accurately and quickly and takes effective courses of action.Organizes and presents analytical data and reports to support purchasing and contracting activities and make sound business decisions or recommendations.