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Job Description
The City of Anaheim Purchasing Department is seeking an experienced Senior Buyer . This position will lead, oversee, and participate in the more complex and difficult work of staff responsible for performing a variety of professional level duties involved in the procurement of quality services, equipment, and supplies at cost effective rates as required and requisitioned by City departments; to perform highly complex research and analysis for special projects involving procurement activities and/or development of policies and procedures; and to perform a variety of technical tasks relative to assigned areas of responsibility. Public sector experience is highly desirable.
Ideal candidates will possess:
Purchasing experience in a public sector environment. Purchasing experience for a full service city to include public utilities, police, fire. Certifications for a Certified Professional Public Buyer or Certified Procurement Professional is highly desirable. Applicants are encouraged to apply early. Applicants that apply after the first review date of July 15, 2026 at 5:00 PM are not guaranteed to be considered for this recruitment. This recruitment may close at any time without notice after the first review date. The following functions are typical for this classification. Incumbents may not perform all of the listed functions and/or may be required to perform additional or different functions from those set forth below to address business needs and changing business practices. Lead, plan, train, and review the work of staff responsible for performing a variety of professional level duties involved in the procurement of quality services, equipment, and supplies at cost effective rates as required and requisitioned by City departments; participate in performing the most complex work of the unit including review contracts and specifications requiring complex analysis. Train assigned employees in their areas of work including proper purchasing methods, procedures, and techniques. Verify the work of assigned employees for accuracy, proper work methods, techniques, and compliance with applicable standards and specifications; ensure adherence to safe work practices and procedures. Establish and maintain competitive and comprehensive reference index of suppliers and potential bidders for assigned areas; solicit vendors and procure products and services; purchase supplies, services, and equipment; review and process requisitions; prepare and obtain quotations; prepare and issue purchase orders, master agreements, and service contracts for supplies, equipment, and services. Maintain contact and knowledge of relevant commodity market trends and new and/or improved products and services; develop new sources of supply; evaluate vendor performance. Analyze department user's needs and prepare complex specifications for custom or commercially available products to be procured; encourage and communicate opportunities for value purchasing and elimination of sole source situations. Create bids and complex Requests for Proposals; conduct job walks and bidders conferences; analyze bids and proposals received; prepare written award recommendations and/or Council reports. Negotiate terms and conditions with suppliers and work with the supplier's and the City's attorneys and Risk Managers to draft legal contracts in compliance with best business practices to cover and protect the City's interests. Complete special projects such as commodity purchases, requiring complex analysis, contract development, interpretation and negotiation, computer system selection and implementations, researching and documenting information to support policy and/or procedural changes, developing auction systems, and creating training programs. Coordinate activities with other City departments and with outside agencies; consult with departmental representatives relative to purchasing needs, procedures and complaints; ensure purchasing practices are in compliance with legal, professional, and City Charter requirements; instruct employees on the proper use of the automated purchase requisition system. Provide complex cost analysis and value pricing alternatives to City departments; monitor and resolve accounting and receiving discrepancies; process claims with vendors for damaged materials; monitor invoices for accuracy; obtain credits where appropriate. Respond to public inquiries in a courteous manner; provide information within the area of assignment; resolve complaints in an efficient and timely manner. Remain current on new products, technological changes, and supply fluctuation; review new products, services, and supplies. Prepare and maintain statistical reports relative to assigned area of responsibility. Perform related duties as required.
Experience and Education:
Three years of increasingly responsible professional buying and purchasing experience supplemented by a Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in purchasing, materials management, accounting, business administration, public administration, or a related field. An equivalent combination of experience and education sufficient to perform the essential job functions and provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying.
Knowledge of:
Operations, services, and activities of a purchasing program; principles of lead supervision and training; commodity markets, market practices, and commodity pricing methods; modern and complex principles, procedures, methods, and legal requirements of purchasing; complex analytical methods and procedures; methods and practices used in competitive bidding; complex product, service, and equipment specification analysis and development; current market conditions, trends, and sources of supply; accounting and receiving principles; office procedures, methods, and equipment including computers and applicable software applications such as word processing, spreadsheets, and databases; pertinent federal, state and local laws, codes, and regulations.
Ability to:
Lead, organize, and review the work of staff; independently perform the most difficult work of the unit related to obtaining commodities and services; interpret, explain, and enforce department policies and procedures; effectively procure quality products, services, and equipment at competitive prices; analyze, evaluate, and modify complex purchasing methods and procedures; interpret and explain City purchasing policies and procedures; instruct employees on, and effectively use, an automated purchase requisition system; analyze and evaluate products and price variables requiring complex and in-depth research; evaluate complex specifications prepared by departments for accuracy and appropriate content; prepare accurate and legally correct complex specifications and contracts; evaluate complex bids and make sound recommendations for award; prepare clear and concise staff reports including sound recommendations; exercise sound judgment and deductive reasoning; conduct complex research and prepare detailed statistical and narrative reports including recommendations; operate office equipment including computers and supporting word processing, spreadsheet, and database applications; work independently in the absence of supervision; understand and follow oral and written instructions; communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing; and establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.
License/Certification Required:
Possession of an appropriate, valid driver's license. Applications will be accepted on a continuous basis until a sufficient number of qualified applications have been received. The deadline for the first review of applications is Wednesday, July 15, 2026 at 5:00 PM. Applicants are encouraged to apply early. Applicants that apply after the first review are not guaranteed to be considered for this recruitment. This recruitment may close at any time without notice after the first review date. The selection process will consist of an oral interview. The eligibility list established from this recruitment may also be used to fill the current and/or additional vacancies throughout the City. Candidates must be specific and complete in describing their qualifications for this position. Failure to state all pertinent information may lead to elimination from consideration. Stating "See Resume" is not an acceptable substitute for a completed application. The successful candidate will be required to undergo a reference / background check (to include a conviction record) and pass a post-offer pre-employment medical examination (which will include a drug/alcohol screening). The City of Anaheim utilizes E-Verify and new employees must provide documentation to establish both identity and work authorization. Communication regarding your application and/or status will be sent to the email address listed on your application. Please check your email regularly throughout the recruitment process as you will not receive communications by any other method.
