Senior Procurement Buyer

Salary may be negotiable within the range listed above, based on position requirements and successful candidate's qualifications, subject to appropriate authorization.

This recruitment will establish an open eligible list that will be used to fill current and future Senior Procurement Buyer positions. The eligible list established may also be used to fill positions in similar and/or lower classifications throughout the County of Orange.

This recruitment will be open for a minimum of five (5) business days and will close on Thursday, October 15, 2026, at 11:59pm (PST). Qualified applicants are encouraged to apply immediately.

The County Procurement Office has an exciting opportunity for a Senior Procurement Buyer. The Senior Procurement Buyer may train and monitor the work of staff engaged in the procurement of materials, supplies, equipment and preparation of contracts. In addition, this position performs the more difficult and complex tasks in the unit and interprets County and department policies, rules and regulations governing procurement activities and awarding of contracts.

Incumbents will be expected to maintain up-to-date knowledge of the status of prices and general market conditions.

• Preparing, reviewing and negotiating contracts and bid/proposal specifications.
• Interpreting and analyzing legislative and County laws, rules and regulations pertinent to procurement, solicitations, contract negotiation, and contract administration.
• Conducting complex value analysis and developing precise product specifications.
• Serving as a team lead and providing training and guidance to procurement and contracts staff.
• Performing contract management and contract administration.
• Selecting and preparing the appropriate solicitation documents, i.e., Invitation for Bid (IFB), Request for Qualifications (RFQ), Request for Information (RFI), or Request for Proposal (RFP).
• Obtaining the appropriate levels of approval from County Counsel, Risk Management, and the Orange County Board of Supervisors, as required.
• Negotiating and executing contracts for which competitive bidding is not required/appropriate.
• Determining appropriate sources of supply.
• Obtaining required insurance, bonds, and applicable endorsements.

In addition to the minimum qualifications, the ideal candidate will possess at least one year of experience in procurement, contract administration, and managing complex solicitations.

In addition, the ideal candidate will also have extensive experience in the following core competencies:

• Demonstrating extensive expertise in applying procurement principles, ethics, and best practices, while interpreting and integrating relevant Public Contract Codes, Government Codes and other Federal requirements.
• Ensuring full compliance with County and departmental procurement policies by accurately interpreting governing rules, regulations, and procedures to guide contract development and award processes.
• Preparing and analyzing complex solicitation and contract specifications, researching cooperative agreements, and selecting the most effective solicitation methods to achieve competitive, value-driven procurement outcomes.
• Evaluating supplier capacity, capability, and performance through detailed cost and value analyses.

• Effectively leading cross-departmental collaboration to ensure procurement strategies, solicitation documents, and contract awards align with County policies, operational needs, and long-term organizational objectives.
• Providing guidance to staff and end-users in developing precise specifications, value analyses, and approaches to support efficient, compliant, and cost-effective purchasing outcomes.
• Demonstrating strong leadership in negotiating complex contracts by motivating suppliers, influencing internal and external stakeholders, and securing contracts that align with County goals while maintaining fairness and transparency.
• Providing direction, mentorship, and technical expertise to procurement staff to strengthen team capability, enhance workflow efficiency, and ensure consistent adherence to procurement standards and best practices.

• Demonstrating strong analytical judgment by interpreting local ordinances and state and federal procurement regulations to ensure contractual decisions are compliant, defensible,…