Buyer I​/II

under general supervision, purchases and expedites a variety of materials, supplies and equipment for use by all county departments; performs related work as assigned.

buyer i is the entry level class in this professional purchasing series. Initially under close supervision, incumbents perform the more routine purchasing and expediting duties while learning county policies and procedures and the various commodities and suppliers. As experience is gained, duties become more diversified and are performed under more general supervision. This class is alternately staffed with buyer ii, and incumbents may advance to the higher level class after gaining experience and demonstrating proficiency which meet the qualifications for the higher level class.

buyer ii is the journey level class in this series, fully competent to perform a wide range of technical purchasing and expediting duties. This class is distinguished from senior buyer in that the latter assists the purchasing agent in administering all phases of the purchasing function and provides direction for the central services staff.

• analyzes requisitions to verify completeness and accuracy and to determine the type of materials, supplies or equipment required; confers with the requesting department to ensure that information is correct, that order parameters are understood and to provide information regarding products and suppliers.
• obtains verbal or written price quotations or prepares formal specifications and bid packages as required; analyzes bids, recommends award, and prepares necessary documentation.
• interviews salespersons, visits manufacturers and vendors, attends demonstrations, and obtains samples and literature from potential suppliers; explains purchasing policies and procedures to potential vendors; obtains comparative data regarding price, quality, quantity and availability of materials, supplies and equipment.
• places orders and negotiates with vendors as required if changes in purchase terms are required; expedites purchase orders, determining the reason for delivery or other problems and following up as necessary; works with using departments to reconcile invoices and to solve delivery, quality and other problems that arise.
• coordinates vehicle licensing activities for county vehicles; renews licenses in a timely manner and disposes of out-dated licenses and registrations in a proper manner.
• assists with the auction and disposal of surplus equipment, materials and supplies.
• maintains records and prepares reports, including vendor performance; assists in determining reorder points and in determining practicable order quantities for materials and supplies.
• monitors developments in the purchasing field and recommends improvements to policies and procedures.

• purchasing principles and practices, including competitive bidding procedures.
• applicable federal, state and local laws and regulations.
• standard price and purchasing reference sources for materials and supplies.
• principles of business administration and economics as applied to the purchasing function.
• basic data processing applications as related to the purchasing function.
• standard office practices and procedures.

• analyzing and relating requisitions and orders to current and future needs of operating departments.
• reading and interpreting purchase requests, plans, drawings and specifications.
• preparing clear, accurate, and concise reports, specifications, correspondence and other written materials.
• translating user requirements into appropriate specifications.
• buying effectively with regard to quantity, quality and price.
• making accurate arithmetic calculations.
• maintaining accurate records and files.
• organizing work, setting priorities and making sound independent decisions.
• establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of the work.

must possess a valid california driver's license.

a typical way to obtain the knowledge and skills outlined above is:

• buyer i: equivalent to graduation from a four year college or university with major coursework in business or public administration or a field related to the work.
• buyer ii: in addition to the above, two years of experience in purchasing and expediting a variety of materials, supplies and equipment, which has included developing formal specifications and sources of supply at a level equivalent to the county's class of buyer i.