3/5/80
Rev 4/85
Rev 6/30/86
Rev 7/21/89
Rev 07/26/95
City of San José
SENIOR BUYER (1543)
CLASS PURPOSE
Under direction, performs purchasing work of
considerable difficulty and leads staff in technical and complex
purchases of materials, equipment, supplies and general services
for City departments. Performs related work as required.
TYPICAL DUTIES AND RESULTS (Any one
position may not include all the duties listed, nor do the
examples cover all the duties which may be performed.)
- Receives and reviews requisitions, consults
with department technical experts to determine needs.
- Prepares detailed specifications with
department and vendor technical experts.
- Prepare complex contracts outlining performance
standards, tolerances, warranties and maintenance requirements.
- Ensures materials, equipment, parts, and
supplies purchased are compatible with existing systems
equipment, hardware or software.
- Researches market trends, recommends new
products, advises departments of obsolescence of equipment, parts
and supplies; analyze market trends as it impacts availability of
products and supplies.
- Analyzes a variety of factors and makes
recommendations on advisability of purchase or lease.
- Researches alternate sources of supply on items
considered sole source or in short supply. Consults with vendors
to develop suitable substitutions or modifications of existing
equipment.
- Prepares formal bid packages, receives and
reviews bids for conformance to specification and vendor's
ability to perform. Prepares recommendation to Council for award
of contract.
- Prepares Requests for Proposals, receives
responses, conducts evaluation panels and prepares recommendation
for award of contract.
- Coordinates purchasing activities with other
departments, to maximize
- purchasing power and reduce acquisition costs.
- Supervises Buyer I/II’s for special
projects or acts as lead for a group of buyers handling like
commodities or purchases for a department.
DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS
This is the highest level in the Buyer series.
Incumbents are responsible for the most complex buying
assignments requiring coordination with a variety of technical
experts. Supervision is received by the Purchasing Manager in the
General Services Department.
QUALIFICATIONS
Minimum Knowledges, Skills and Abilities
- Knowledge of the principles, practices and
procedures of a centralized purchasing in a governmental
jurisdiction.
- Knowledge of sources of supply and terminology
used in purchasing highly technical materials, equipment’s,
systems and services.
- Knowledge of commodity markets, market
practices, pricing methods, contracts and sales as applied to
purchasing transactions.
- Ability to prepare complex specifications,
purchasing contracts and reports.
- Ability to analyze market trends related to
purchasing.
- Ability to understand, interpret and apply a
variety of rules, regulations, ordinances and purchases governing
purchasing.
- Ability to establish and maintain effective
working relations with others.
- Ability to express oneself clearly, both orally
and in writing.
- Competency Knowledges, Skills and Abilities
- Knowledge of policies, rules, regulations,
procedures and ordinances pertaining to City purchasing.
- Knowledge of purchasing highly complex and
technical commodities assigned.
Training And Experience
Any combination of training and experience
equivalent to AA Degree in Purchasing and three (3) years of
responsible technical experience in purchasing, of which two (2)
years must have been equivalent to Buyer II with the City of San
Jose.
Certificates
A CPM, CPPB/CPPO certificate is desirable.
SR02-1543.ASC