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Title: Senior Buyer

Job Category: CSEA

Job Opening Date: May 06, 2024

Job Closing Date: May 29, 2024

Location: District Services

Work Location: Mission Viejo, CA

Department: Purchasing and Contracts

Pay Grade, for more information click on this link: 

https://www.socccd.edu/departments/human-resources/contracts-and-salary-schedules

Pay Rate Type: Monthly

Work Days: Monday - Friday

Work Hours: 8:00am - 5:00pm (Schedule and Shift are subject to change in accordance with the departments needs.)

Hours Per Week: 40

Percentage of Employment: 100%

Months of Employment: 12

Salary: Starting at $6,102 per month

Required Documents:

Resume and Cover Letter

Job Description:

C.S.E.A. Classified Bargaining Unit Salary Range 130

Application materials must be received by 11:59pm May 28, 2024

Required Documents: Resume and Cover Letter

Applications missing the required documents will not be considered.

SUMMARY DESCRIPTION
Under direction from the Purchasing Supervisor, performs the more complex duties supporting the purchasing of supplies, materials and services for the District; ensures compliance with all applicable state laws and District policies; serves as lead person in the absence of the Purchasing Supervisor; coordinates assigned activities with other departments, divisions, and outside agencies; and performs a variety of technical tasks relative to assigned area of responsibility. 

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS
This is the advanced journey level class in the Buyer series. Positions at this level are distinguished from other classes within the series by the level of responsibility assumed and the complexity of duties assigned. Employees perform the most difficult and responsible types of duties assigned to classes within this series including purchasing the more complex supplies and materials and serving as a lead worker over lower level buying and purchasing staff in the absence of the Purchasing Supervisor. Employees at this level are required to be fully trained in all procedures related to assigned area of responsibility.
 

REPRESENTATIVE DUTIES
The following duties are typical for this classification. Incumbents may not perform all of the listed duties and/or may be required to perform additional or different duties from those set forth below to address business needs and changing business practices.

1.    Perform the more complex tasks related to obtaining commodities and services for the District; process complex purchase requisitions and issue purchase orders for a variety of equipment, supplies, materials, and services at the most advantageous prices and terms; ensure compliance with applicable State laws, and District policies, rules, regulations and procedures.
2.    Serve as lead person in the absence of the Purchasing Supervisor; train assigned employees in their areas of work including proper buying and purchasing methods, procedures, and techniques.
3.    Review complex purchase requisitions for accuracy and completeness; ensure proper authorization and supporting documentation.
4.    Prepare advertising for formal (legal) and informal bids; prepare and mail competitive bid packages; receive, open, tabulate, review and analyze bids; recommend award in accordance with relevant laws and District policies; prepare Board agenda reports.
5.    Evaluate best source and order materials, equipment, services and supplies; order commodities from State-approved suppliers and contractors as required by law.
6.    Draft complex specifications for materials, equipment, services and supplies to be obtained; maintain appropriate records on computerized system.
7.    Review contracts and purchase orders; maintain contact and negotiate with vendors; keep informed of market conditions and new products; evaluate vendor performance.
8.    Confer with department representatives to determine purchasing needs, specifications and area of standardization.
9.    Process claims with vendors for damaged materials; monitor invoices for accuracy; obtain credit where appropriate.
10.    Respond to vendor and staff inquiries in a courteous manner; provide information within the area of assignment; resolve complaints in an efficient and timely manner.
11.    Perform related duties as required.
 

QUALIFICATIONS
The following generally describes the knowledge and ability required to enter the job and/or be learned within a short period of time in order to successfully perform the assigned duties.

Knowledge of:

• Operations, services, and activities of a comprehensive purchasing program for an educational institution.


• Principles of lead supervision and training.


• Advanced principles, practices, methods and techniques used in purchasing.


• Applicable laws, regulations, policies, and procedures governing the purchasing process.


• Types of supplies, materials, commodities, and services commonly used in educational institutions.


• Advanced principles and methods of negotiations.


• Principles, practices, and procedures of inventory and quality control.


• Office procedures, methods, and equipment including computers and applicable software applications such as word processing, spreadsheets, and databases.


• Principles of letter writing and basic report preparation.


• Basic principles and practices of accounting.


• Principles and procedures of record keeping and filing.


• English usage, spelling, grammar, and punctuation. 

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.


• Evaluate quality and price of products to judge suitability of goods and alternatives offered.


• Interpret and apply purchasing policies and applicable state laws and regulations.


• Analyze, evaluate and modify purchasing methods and procedures.


• Operate office equipment including computers and supporting word processing, spreadsheet, and database applications.


• Maintain accurate records, controls and files.


• Implement and maintain standard filing systems.


• Work independently in the absence of supervision.


• Understand and follow oral and written instructions.


• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.


• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.

Education and Experience Guidelines

Any combination of education and experience that would likely provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be:

Education/Training:
Equivalent to two years of college level course work in business administration or a related field.
 

Experience:
Three years of increasingly responsible purchasing experience preferably within a public agency.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORKING ENVIRONMENT
The conditions herein are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential job functions.

Environment: Work is performed primarily in a standard office setting. Subject to noise from office equipment operation; frequent interruptions and contact in person and on the telephone with academic and classified staff and others. At least minimal environmental controls are in place to assure health and comfort.

Physical: Primary functions require sufficient physical ability and mobility to work in an office setting; to stand or sit for prolonged periods of time; to occasionally stoop, bend, kneel, crouch, reach, and twist; to lift, carry, push, and/or pull light to moderate amounts of weight; to operate office equipment requiring repetitive hand movement and fine coordination including use of a computer keyboard; and to verbally communicate to exchange information.

Vision: See in the normal visual range with or without correction.

Hearing: Hear in the normal audio range with or without correction.

SPECIAL COVID-19 NOTICE:

Interviews may be held in-person (following all necessary precautions) or in a virtual format. Employees must reside in California while employed with the South Orange County Community College District (SOCCCD), even during remote work. Thank you for your continued interest in working at the SOCCCD.

The SOCCCD is committed to protecting the health and wellbeing of students, faculty, staff, administrators, and the communities it serves. More information can be found on our District website by visiting https://www.socccd.edu/communications/covid-19-information.

NOTICE TO ALL CANDIDATES FOR EMPLOYMENT:

The Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986, Public Law 99-603, requires that employers obtain documentation from every new employee which authorizes that individual to accept employment in this country. SOCCCD will not sponsor any visa applications.

PLEASE NOTE:

A California Public Employees Retirement System (CalPERS) retiree may not accept employment until after the first 180 days of retirement. Anyone retired from CalPERS accepting permanent employment with this District will be required to reinstate as an active CalPERS member. Please contact CalPERS for additional information regarding your retirement status.

Any active vested member of California State Teachers Retirement System (CalSTRS), who accepts employment with the District to perform service that requires membership in CalPERS, is eligible to elect to continue retirement system coverage under CalSTRS

DISABILITY ACCOMODATIONS:

If you require special accommodations in the application and/or selection process, please notify District Human Resources at least two (2) business days prior to the Job Close Date/Initial Screening Date, by either calling (949) 582-4850 or sending an e-mail to hrinfodesk@socccd.edu.

ATTENDANCE REQUIREMENT:

Report to work on a regular and consistent basis, as scheduled, to assigned job.

CAMPUS CRIME AND SAFETY AWARENESS:

Information regarding campus crime and safety awareness can be found at www.saddleback.edu or www.ivc.edu. Paper copies are available in the District Human Resources office upon request.