ABOLISHED 07/02/2014 PER PAY LETTER 14-11 - Buyer II
California State Personnel Board Specification
Definition
Under general direction, to do the more responsible purchasing of a complex group of materials, supplies, and equipment; and to do other related work.
Distinguishing Characteristics
Positions in this class are distinguished from positions in the class Buyer I primarily by the greater independence with which they work and the increased responsibility which they are assigned. They have responsibility for negotiating contracts and will normally purchase a group of commodities which is characterized by a greater dollar volume and variety of goods to be purchased, the requirement of closer pricing and bidding and/or a greater consideration of price fluctuation, and such other factors as quality and availability of goods, and difficulties of their transportation. Their assignments generally also require a greater knowledge of commodity characteristics, specialized terminology, and sources of supply. They may also train and give technical review to the work of buyers in lower level classes.
Typical Tasks
Receives and reviews requisitions; invites quotations and bids and negotiates contracts; interviews vendors; investigates sources of supplies; negotiates directly with officials of State agencies served on routine questions of item substitution; compares and analyzes quotations, signs purchase orders, and makes awards on bids; checks vendors' compliance with legal requirements; reviews specifications; analyzes requisitions and makes recommendations as to commodities which can be more economically purchased on a contract basis; conducts or recommends surveys to determine the quantities and qualities of goods required by departments and institutions; follows up purchase orders to insure receipt of proper quality and quantity on specified dates; supervises clerical assistants and guides the work of lower level buyers; investigates complaints and secures adjustments.
Minimum Qualifications
Either I
One year of experience performing the duties of a Buyer I in the California state service.
Or II
Two years of experience in California state service performing purchasing duties in a class at a level comparable to Buyer I. (These duties would typically include reviewing requisitions, developing standards and specifications, purchasing by sub-purchase order under State contracts and price schedules, vendor contacts and supervision of a staff preparing purchase documents.)
Or III
Experience: Three years of responsible technical experience in the large-scale buying of materials, supplies, and equipment, at least one year of which shall have been in purchasing for consumption rather than resale. (Experience in stores inventory control, or in acquisition of materials by requisition through a central purchasing organization is not qualifying buying experience.) and
Education: Equivalent to graduation from college. (Additional qualifying experience may be substituted for the required education on the basis of one year of experience being equivalent to two years of education.)
Knowledge and Abilities
Knowledge of: Purchasing principles and practices; market conditions and practices and current prices; law of contracts and State purchasing procedures; methods of purchasing by specification and competitive bidding; traffic procedure; characteristics and types of materials, supplies, and equipment suitable to meet the needs of a large governmental jurisdiction; trade names, brands, and sources of supply.
Ability to: Develop purchasing standards and specifications; train and supervise subordinates; analyze situations accurately and adopt an effective course of action; read comprehensively; speak and write effectively; work effectively with others.
