Buyer

The City of Fremont's Finance Department is recruiting for:

Buyer

VIEW OUR RECRUITMENT BROCHURE

The Department
The Finance Department is responsible for providing quantitative financial information, policy analyses, and recommendations that help the City Council and all City departments make decisions about how to best allocate the resources available to the City. 

First Review of Applications

The first review of applications is September 3, 2026 at 5:00 p.m. (PST).  This recruitment may close without notice after this date so interested applicants are encouraged to apply immediately. A resume and supplemental questionnaire (part of the online application) must be submitted with the completed City application.
 

To be considered for this outstanding employment opportunity, please complete an application online by clicking "Apply" just above this box.

Selection Process

The process may include individual and/or panel interviews, professional reference checks, fingerprint check for criminal history, credit check, and other related components. Only those candidates who have the best combination of qualifications in relation to the requirements and duties of the position will continue in the selection process. Meeting the minimum qualifications does not guarantee an invitation to participate in the process.

Reasonable Accommodation

Human Resources will make reasonable efforts in the examination process to accommodate persons with disabilities. Please advise Human Resources of any special needs a minimum of 5 days in advance of the selection process by calling (510) 494-4660 or emailing [email protected].
  
Contact Us

For additional information, please contact Human Resources Department at: [email protected].
  
The information contained herein is subject to change and does not constitute either an expressed or implied contract. 

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________  

Buyer

Under general supervision, researches, purchases and expedites a variety of materials, supplies and equipment for use by all City departments following established local ordinances and administrative regulations; and performs other duties as assigned.

Class Characteristics

This is a journey level classification reporting to the Purchasing Services Manager in the Finance Department.  The Buyer performs complex procurement related work, involving customer support for all departments within the City. This position must interpret, implement, and ensure compliance with applicable governmental regulations related to public procurement, such as the California Public Contract Code and the City Municipal Purchasing Ordinance.  The Buyer may perform other duties as required.

The Buyer is distinguished from the next higher class of Purchasing Service Manager in that the latter oversees the City's Purchasing Division.

• Coordinates procurement activities with all city departments.
• Maintains knowledge of City resources, including equipment, supplies, and services, and works with City staff to determine appropriate inventory levels and service needs.
• Manages the procurement and disposal of City capital assets.
• Maintains procurement-related data in the City’s financial management system.
• Reviews purchase requisitions, obtains any necessary clarification, and generates procurement documents for goods and services.
• Develops detailed specifications for goods and services.
• Identifies prospective suppliers and vendors.
• Prepares informal Requests for Quotes or formal Requests for Bids and Requests for Proposals.
• Solicits competitive bids; coordinates and conducts pre-bid conferences.
• Evaluates and analyzes bids; communicates bid results; assists with negotiations.
• Conducts market surveys to identify new sources and products; develops diversified sources for procuring goods and services.
• Explains purchasing policies and procedures to City staff and potential vendors; trains City staff on those aspects of the City’s financial management system related to procurement.
• Coordinate or provide training and support for City purchasing programs, such as the purchasing card program.
• Resolves conflicts between vendors and the City while maintaining positive working relationships.
• Maintains files in compliance with the City’s records retentions policy; compiles reports related to various aspects of City procurement activities.
• Prepares responses to public record requests.

Marginal Functions

• Other duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities 

Knowledge of: Principles and practices of governmental purchasing; sources of supplies, materials, and equipment; proper English usage, spelling, grammar and punctuation and demonstrated proficiency; business letter writing formats; numerical and alphabetic filing systems; processing of forms and documents; contemporary office practices and principles; effective communication techniques; the operation of modern office equipment; and personal computer operating systems and software applications.

Skills to: Write comprehensive, concise reports and correspondence; maintain basic statistical and accounting records; solve difficult purchasing related problems; type accurately and meet keyboard proficiency standards; proofread to identify and correct errors in grammar, spelling, punctuation and arithmetic; perform numerical calculations with speed and accuracy using 10-key equipment; perform detailed, accurate work and meet deadlines; research to obtain appropriate information and resources; prioritize work and monitor work flow; assign work to appropriate staff; utilize personal computer and computer software to perform word processing, spreadsheet and specialized functions.

Ability to: Learn and apply the City of Fremont principals, procedures, and practices; learn specialized computer software programs for use on the job; and exemplify an enthusiastic, resourceful and effective service attitude with the public, co-workers and others who are contacted in the course of the work.
Incumbents must possess the physical and mental capacity to work under the conditions described in this document and to perform the duties required by their assigned position.

Education/Experience

Any combination of education and/or experience that has provided the knowledge and skills necessary to satisfactory job performance would be qualifying.  A typical way to obtain the required knowledge and skills would be:  Graduation from High School with some college coursework in accounting, public/business administration, or a related field, and three years’ experience in purchasing and expediting a variety of materials, supplies and equipment, including developing formal specifications and sources of supply. 

Licenses/Certificates/Special Requirements

This classification requires the ability to travel independently within and outside of City limits. Possession of, or ability to obtain by time of appointment, a valid Class C California Driver License is required.  Failure to maintain this license will result in discipline up to and including termination.

Possession of Certified Professional Public Buyer certificate is highly desired.

Physical and Environmental Demands

Rare = < 10%, Occasional = 11-33%, Frequent = 34-66%, Constant = >66%

Sitting:  Constant
Walking:  Occasional
Standing:  Rare
Bending (neck):  Frequent
Bending (waist):  Rare
Squatting:  Rare
Climbing:  Rare
Kneeling:  Rare
Crawling:  Never
Jumping:  Never
Balancing:  Never
Twisting (neck):  Occasional
Twisting (waist):  Never
Grasp - light (dominant hand):  Occasional
Grasp - light (non-dominant):  Occasional
Grasp - firm (dominant hand):  Rare
Grasp - firm (non-dominant):  Rare
Fine manipulation (dominant):  Occasional
Fine manipulation (non-dominant):  Occasional
Reach - at/below shoulder:  Occasional
Reach – above shoulder level:  Rare
Push/pull:
Up to 10 lbs.  Rare
11 to 25 lbs.  Never
26 to 50 lbs.  Never
51 to 75 lbs.  Never
76 to 100 lbs.  Never
Over 100 lbs.  Never
Lifting:
Up to 10 lbs.  Rare (daily) to Occasional (2x per year)
11 to 25 lbs.  Rare – not daily
26 to 50 lbs.  Rare – not daily
51 to 75 lbs.  Never
76 to 100 lbs.  Never
Over 100 lbs.  Never
Carrying:
Up to 10 lbs.  Rare
11 to 25 lbs.  Rare
26 to 50 lbs.  Never
51 to 75 lbs.  Never
76 to 100 lbs.  Never
Over 100 lbs.  Never
Coordination:
Eye-hand:  Required
Eye-hand-foot:  Required
Driving:  Not required
Vision:
Acuity, near:  Required
Acuity, far:  Not required
Depth perception:  Required
Accommodation:  Required
Color vision:  Not required
Field of vision:  Not required
Talking:
Face-to-face contact:  Required
Verbal contact w/others:  Required
Public:  Required
Hearing:
Normal conversation:  Required
Telephone communication:  Required
Earplugs required:  Not required

Work environment:
Works indoors, using computer monitor, works around others, works alone, works with others.

Class Code:  2544
FLSA:  Non-exempt
EEOC Code: 6
Barg.  Unit:  CFEA
Probation:  12 months
Rev.:  11/15