Buyer I​/II

Buyer I/II Position

We are accepting applications to fill one (1) full-time Buyer I/II position located in Santa Barbara for the General Services Department. We are also accepting applications to establish one employment list to fill current and future Buyer I/II vacancies. Please be sure to select all of the locations you are willing to accept employment for current and future vacancies.

Buyer I/II is a flexibly staffed series. Buyer I is distinguished from Buyer II in that the latter prepares and analyzes more complex and higher profile contracts, and works with relative independence within established guidelines. Candidate may be appointed at the I or II level, depending on the candidate's qualifications and the needs of the department.

The County of Santa Barbara offers generous benefits. For information about the benefits for the position, . In addition, applicants from other public sector employers may qualify for:

• Retirement reciprocity
• Time and service credit towards an advanced vacation accrual rate

Under direction of the Chief Procurement Officer or designee, solicits bids and negotiates for the purchase of supplies, equipment, and services for County departments and other public agencies; and performs related duties as required.

The ideal candidate will have:

• A bachelor's degree from an accredited university or college with major coursework in purchasing, materials management, supply chain management, business administration, public administration or another closely-related field;
• Two or more years of professional experience in quantity buying for a public agency and/or large private organization;
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills and the ability to convey information in a clear, concise, organized and relevant manner to help others understand objectives and priorities;
• Analytical skills and the ability to assess problems, secure relevant policy information, identify possible causes, develop options for solutions, and make logical recommendations;
• Strong project management skills;
• Ability to work well in a team environment, making positive contributions and assisting others as necessary;
• Ability to develop and maintain productive working relationships with diverse people;
• Excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to work professionally with managers, executives, operations staff, other agencies, vendors, and regulators;
• Strong customer service skills and experience working with the public;
• Knowledge of the basic principles of supply chain, procurement materials, best value procurement, and/or environmental green building;
• Ability to work independently, prioritize work, keep records organized accordingly and meet critical deadlines;
• Professional experience using Microsoft Excel, Word, Outlook, PowerPoint and Access;
• Experience using numerous computerized data software management systems.

Examples of duties include:

• Analyzing market conditions; keeping abreast of trends; exploring sources of supply; studying new products; and researching departments' requests for all products and commodities.
• Conferring with departmental representatives to determine specific needs, arranging for demonstrations, and distributing literature and samples.
• Processing requisitions; grouping purchases to secure price advantages of quantity buying; composing and editing specifications; soliciting formal bids in accordance with standard procedures and soliciting informal bids by telephone, FAX, or personal contact; and comparing and analyzing price quotations.
• Studying quality of products; determining vendor from whom purchases will be made; placing orders; negotiating and renewing contracts; investigating complaints and securing adjustments; following up on deliveries.
• Maintaining data and preparing reports using office automation software.

Employment standards include:

• One year of experience in the field of quantity buying, for a public agency or large private company, of end items such as services, supplies, and equipment; OR,
• One year of experience performing duties equivalent to the class of Buyer's Assistant with Santa Barbara County; OR,
• A combination of training, education, and experience that is equivalent to one of the employment standards listed above and that provides the required knowledge and abilities.

Knowledge of: standard business English; principles and practices of purchasing, including ethics, Internet research, standards, bid preparation and evaluation, competitive bidding procedures, quality control, inventory standards and control; data collection techniques for establishing sources of supply, product, and vendor information; market research techniques; general law of contracts; office procedures and office automation software (word processing, database management). Ability to: conduct studies, analyze and evaluate data, and make recommendations and decisions;

prepare and present written or oral reports; reproduce established bids; learn to prepare and evaluate new bids; learn practices and principles of…