Sr Buyer (Utilities)

POSITION TITLE: Sr Buyer (Utilities) (Full-Time Regular) (Classified)
REQUISITION #: req8274
DEPARTMENT: Purchasing
LOCATION: 215 OFFICE BLDG
BENEFIT CATEGORY: Classified (Non-CBU)
EMPLOYMENT TYPE: Full-Time Regular
ANNUAL SALARY RANGE: $72,013.00 - 120,015.00 (Salaries are paid biweekly)
ANNUAL ANTICIPATED HIRING RANGE: $85,000.00 - 105,000.00 (Salaries are paid biweekly)
SELECTION PROCESS: Application deadline is 3:00 p.m. MT on 1/13/2026.

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 background check required. (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, 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

Job Summary

The City of Fort Collins is seeking a Sr Buyer to join our Utilities department. This purchasing position supports the City's Utility Department using the most suitable competitive procurement process approach. This position will have primary responsibility for a wide range of procurement requirements. The Senior Buyer executes and administers complex, high-impact procurements for services, professional services, software, materials, and capital projects in compliance with City Code, purchasing policies, and applicable state and federal regulations.

This role leads competitive solicitations, including ITBs and RFPs, analyzes alternative delivery methods such as CM/GC and CMAR, and partners with departments to develop specifications and Statements of Work that achieve best value. The Senior Buyer identifies and engages vendors, leads evaluation committees, negotiates and administers contracts, and manages renewals and re-bids while fostering strong vendor and stakeholder relationships. With advanced negotiation, analytical, and technical skills, the position drives continuous improvement through LEAN initiatives, recommends policy and process enhancements, and applies best practices to support effective, equitable, and customer-focused procurement outcomes.

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.

• Executes and administers the procurement process for large, high dollar/impact/profile, services, professional services, software, material purchases and capital project work in accordance with City Code, Purchasing Policies and Procedures, and Federal procurement requirements.
• Analyzes available options for complex or non-standard procurements to include applicability of alternative delivery methods such as Construction Manager/General Contractor (CM/GC) and Construction Manager At-Risk (CMR) for capital improvement projects.
• Assists departments in the creation of specifications and Statements of Work (SOW) for Invitations for Bids (IFBs) and Request for Proposals (RFPs).
• Identifies potential vendors for specific goods and services, conducts meetings with vendors, participates in product demonstrations, oversees reference evaluations and interacts with stakeholders.
• Coordinates competitive bidding process; develops Invitations to Bid; provides public notification; conducts and documents bid openings; monitors evaluations of bids; coordinates acceptance and award of bids.
• Leads Request for Proposal (RFP) evaluation committee and actively participates in the selection of technical and professional service providers for assigned City departments.
• Implements techniques for identifying best value procurements using best practices and analytical tools.
• Creates, administers and enforces procurement contracts; assesses the adequacy of specifications and Statements of Work (SOW), develops terms and conditions and negotiates changes to contracts as required.
• Monitors annual service contacts; renewals, revises and re-bids for those services.
• Coordinates and supervises vendor interactions with the City; creates and nurtures partnership relationships; actively investigates new avenues for reaching and doing business with vendors; trains vendors in how to do business with the City; mediates and resolves agency and/or vendor disputes.
• Recommends to management and develops recommended changes to purchasing policies, processes and programs to positively impact on the contractual position of the City and provide the best value.
• Facilitate LEAN initiatives and drive continuous improvement.

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.

Required Qualifications

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.

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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.

BACKGROUND CHECK REQUIRED. (Background checks are considered in relation to the responsibilities and requirements of the position)

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