Description:Are you a seasoned
Purchasing Professional with MRP or similar experience?
Do you have at least four years of experience as a
buyer in a large organization?
Are you seeking
top-tier compensation and benefits with some work-from-home flexibility?
The City of Palo Alto is ramping up to begin
major projects in the Utilities Department to modernize and improve aerial and underground infrastructure as well as a new fiber backbone buildout. To meet the purchasing demands for these projects, it is recruiting a
Senior Buyer to onboard quickly and immediately contribute to this high-demand project load. While reporting to the Purchasing Manager, this position will work closely with project managers and staff in the Utilities Department.
The Ideal CandidateThe Ideal Candidate will be a
certified purchasing professional(CAPPO, NASPO) who has experience in:
- MRP or similar production planning systems
- SAP and strong Excel skills
- A strong background in utilities and trades
- Substantial experience in contracting and purchasing policies and procedures
- Utilizing independent judgement to identify most favorable pricing consistent with
specifications for quality, quantity and delivery date
Organized, self-directed, and detail-focused purchasing professionals are encouraged to apply. The first review of candidates will take place on July 8th. For best consideration, candidates should apply by this date as the recruitment may close at any time after this date.
Upon completion of training and receipt of a highly competent evaluation, up to two days per week may be worked remotely following the City of Palo Alto's Remote Work Policy. More details about the position's benefit package can be found
here .
Reports To: Manager, Purchasing and Contract Administration
Supervises: May provide project supervision of other Buyers as assigned
Essential Duties:Please click
here for a full job description.
The Senior Buyer is responsible for the procurement of specialized commodities of a complex nature requiring substantial experience in purchasing, contracting and purchasing policy and procedure. The Senior Buyer can be distinguished by its designated purchasing authority being higher than a Buyer and lower than a Contracts Administrator. Additionally, the Senior Buyer specializes in Utility MRP, Water Quality Control MRP, and Information Technology (IT) type purchases for City Stores (Warehouse) inventories and coordinates with the Warehouse Supervisor.
Essential and other important responsibilities and duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Develops and administers formal and informal quotations proposals and bids for the annual material requirements, and coordinates the vendors' delivery obligations of Utilities, Water Quality, Information Technology type procurements.
- Maintains material requirements planning (MRP) for selected stores (warehouse) materials at required inventory levels, integrating data from planning/scheduling with that from inventory and the bill of materials (BOM) to calculate purchasing and shipping schedules for the materials required to stage work orders; maintaining contact with departments to constantly assess inventory needs. This includes MRP management controls required for surplus returns, recycling and disposal, generating reports, data entry to the Stores inventory system, and interface with stores personnel.
- Procures by agreement, contract, or purchase order for the City's central Stores through the City's requisition system.
- May also support other City departments/divisions with commodities/services as appropriate.
- Interfaces with the City departments to develop specific annual purchasing objectives as related to stores inventories; creates strategic short-and long-term commodity objectives with a view to reducing the cost of materials and equipment of stores inventories, also improving services to city department/divisions.
- Surveys markets for best source or new supply sources. Contacts potential suppliers, negotiates most favorable proposals, maintains relations, and interfaces with vendors.
Related Functions:
- Maintains records and completes data entry of documents.
- Evaluates vendor performance based on analysis of prices and deliveries and information received from affiliates relative to product acceptability and vendor service.
- Anticipates and negotiates possible price changes and in general develops thorough knowledge of the City's laws.
- Supports the activities of the division involving ERP implementation, change management and operations.
Minimum Qualifications:Sufficient education, training and/or work experience to demonstrate possession of the following knowledge, skills, and abilities which would typically be acquired through:
- Associates degree in material management, purchasing, business or public administration and
- Four years' experience as a buyer in a purchasing organization of substantial size.
- Desired: Certification as a Certified Purchasing Professional (in good standing) as awarded by an industry recognized/accredited organization, i.e. CAPPO, NASPO
The City of Palo Alto offers its employees a generous benefit package, featuring family medical coverage, retirement, life insurance, plus 12 paid holidays per year. - Participation in a Governmental 457 Deferred Compensation Plan
- Fully paid employee and dependent Dental Plan
- Fully paid employee and dependent Vision Plan
- Fully paid Life and AD&D insurance equal to annual salary
- Flat Rate City paid medical contribution which may allow employees to select a fully paid health plan
- Fully paid Life Insurance equal to one-times annual salary
- Voluntary Supplemental Life Insurance
- Long Term Disability plan
- 12 annual paid holidays
- Two to five weeks vacation annually depending on years of service per MOA
- 96 hours annual sick leave
- Direct Deposit
- Flexible Spending Account for Healthcare and Childcare expenses
Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS)
- 2% at60 formula for Classic Employees
- One-year final compensation for 2% at 60 employees
- 2% at 62 formula for New CalPers Members
- Three-year final compensation for 2% at 62 employees only
- Retiree Medical benefits for employee and dependents after 10 years of service
Please note: The City does not participate in CA State Disability Insurance (SDI) or Social Security.Since they City does not participate in SDI, City employees are not eligible to claim against the State's Pregnancy Disability Leave or Paid Family Leave programs.
Closing Date/Time: 7/21/2024 11:59 PM Pacific
