10/80

Rev & Ret 6/89

Rev 07/26/95

City of San José

BUYER I (1547)

Under close supervision, performs buying assignments of limited scope and difficulty in the purchase of equipment, supplies and materials 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, reviews and evaluates requisition for needs of the department, standard product requirements, products available, sources of supply, delivery requirements and other related considerations.

• Obtains price to ensure procurement at the least possible cost, establishes vendor sources, confers with representatives, prepares requests for quotes, awards purchase orders.

• Expedites delivery. Investigates complaints and takes action to obtain compliance with terms and conditions of purchase orders.

• Prepares specifications of limited scope, investigates sources of supply, prepares formal quotation requests, invites bids.

• Evaluates bids for conformance to specifications, discount and delivery conditions and other pertinent factors, makes award recommendations, assists in preparation of contracts and memos to council for award of contract.

• Participates in determining purchasing needs of quantities, recommends areas for standardization.

This is the entry level in the Buyer series. Incumbents initially buy commodities of limited scope, and supervision and training are given in detail. As expertise is gained buying assignments become more complex and the incumbent works with a higher degree of independence. This class differs from that of Buyer II in that incumbents of the latter are at the fully working level and are assigned continuing responsibilities for all buying functions of groups of related commodities.

• Knowledge of purchasing practices and procedures.

• Knowledge of economics as they relate to the purchasing of supplies and commodities purchased by the city. 

• Ability to express oneself clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.

• Ability to perform arithmetic computations and calculations.

• Ability to understand, interpret and apply rules and regulations.

• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relations with others.

Competency Knowledges, Skills and Abilities

• Knowledge of principles and procedures used in a centralized governmental purchasing operation as it relates to the City of San Jose.

• Knowledge of specification writing, commodity markets, market practices, pricing methods, contracts and sales as applied to purchasing transactions.

• Knowledge of supply and terminology used in purchasing commodities. Ability to plan and schedule, and prepare reports.

Any combination of training and experience equivalent to an AA degree in Purchasing and one year of purchasing related experience.

A CPM, CPPB/CPPO Certificate is desirable.

(Formerly Jr. Buyer)

B01-1547.ASC