City of Seattle
Buyer
City of Seattle, Seattle, Washington, us, 98127
The City of Seattle is seeking qualified candidates for a
Buyer
position within the Purchasing and Contracting (PC) Division of the department of Finance and Administrative Services (FAS). This position works on a team of public procurement professionals who provide centralized purchasing for the City of Seattle. This role is responsible for ongoing contract administration and assists Procurement Strategic Advisors in contract renewals, change orders and other contract duties. This role will also manage Invitations to Bid (ITB) and Requests for Proposals (RFP) to establish Citywide blanket contracts or for large, one-time purchases.
The Buyer will also be assigned to assist on special projects including policy research, WMBE programs, environmental initiatives or other Citywide social responsibility initiatives. The City Purchasing Team is an active team with a rapid pace and a strong commitment to excellent customer service and efficient and effective procurement.
ABOUT USFAS is often the public's first interaction with the City of Seattle, operating as a customer-focused front door that assists with everything from paying utilities or reporting a pothole to requesting public information or even adopting a new pet.
The 450-plus employees of
FAS
span across 10 divisions and work behind-the-scenes providing critical functions, like managing 120 City facilities—including police and fire stations—coordinating logistics and emergency management and making sure minority-owned businesses can equitably compete for City contracts. FAS is a collaborative workplace with collective accountability to promote equity, respect, civility, integrity, inclusiveness, and fairness for all employees.
ResponsibilitiesConducts open competitive bidding process, composes and issues solicitations and advertisements and serves as sole City contact for vendor communications.Conducts pre-bid conferences and site visits, writes amendments to ITBs/RFPs, solicits and encourages WMBE participation.Tabulates and evaluates bid prices, quality and delivery time to establish lowest, responsible bidder. Makes recommendation for award and briefs management on disputed awards. Identifies irregularities affecting the responsiveness of a bid or creating grounds for bid protest and prepares document to defend award recommendation. For RFPs, negotiates an acceptable contract with guidance and develops contract document.Administers contracts, monitors and assesses vendor performance and monitors customer satisfaction and utilization. Amends contracts as required and assists users in dealing with nonconforming vendors. Resolves service disputes, prepares change orders to existing contracts and maintains records of problems and performance.Provides internal customer service by developing and maintaining effective and collaborative working relationships with department users/requesters. Conducts needs analyses and market research and participates in user group meetings to identify customer requirements and specifications.Provides technical advice and assistance to departments on products and vendors, and in compiling and reviewing technical and contractual specifications.Provides external customer service by developing and maintaining working contacts with contracted vendors and provides information on City operations, purchasing and bidding policies, procedures and processes.Promotes WMBE participation by conducting outreach to WMBE vendors, explaining the contracting process and assessing a vendor’s capability to supply the City with needed services and materials. Informs vendors on upcoming contracting opportunities and participates in WMBE workshops and events.
Minimum QualificationsRequires three (3) years of experience in the bidding, award, development, implementation and administration of contracts;
OROne (1) year of experience in the bidding, award, development, implementation and administration of contracts AND a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration or related field;
OROr a combination of education, training and/or experience which provides an equivalent background required to perform the work of this position.
The most successful candidates will possess the following:Working knowledge of the principles and practices of public procurement (City, State and Federal).Knowledge of automated procurement, contract management and financial systems.Knowledge of prevailing wage requirements.Skill in applying contract law and public sector procurement law and regulations, including familiarity with the legal requirements for purchased goods and services.Strong analytical, communication and written skills.Experience in handling multiple assignments concurrently.Ability to make mathematical computations to determine selling price, discounts, percentages, volumes, weights and measures.Proficient computer skills using Outlook, MS Word and Excel.Experience with social equity and environmentally responsible purchasing practices.
Work EnvironmentThis position requires a minimum of three days per week of onsite work. Overtime work may be required based on business needs. Alternative Work Arrangements and hybrid telework schedules for work conducted in a normal office environment may be considered and will be based on operational needs and consistency with City policies. This position is classified as a
Buyer . It is Civil Service represented, FLSA non-exempt and is eligible for overtime. The full range for this step-progression position is $43.97 - $51.22 per hour.
Application ProcessApplications are reviewed after the posting closes. You must submit the following items to be considered for this position no later than
4:00pm Pacific Time on the scheduled closed date .
Completed NEOGOV online application.Cover letter describing how your skills and experience align with the stated job responsibilities and qualifications.Current resume indicating relevant experience, knowledge, skills, and education.
Your application may be rejected as incomplete if you do not include the relevant information in the application. Cover letters and/or resumes are not accepted in lieu of a completed application. Applications and/or Supplemental Questionnaires that state “see my resume” or “see my personnel file” are considered incomplete and will not be accepted.
PLEASE NOTE: This job advertisement is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.
Why work at the City of Seattle
?The
City of Seattle
recognizes every City employee must play a role in ending institutional and structural racism. Our culture is the result of our behavior, our personal commitments, and the ways that we courageously share our perspectives and encourage others to do the same. To cultivate an antiracist culture, we seek employees who will engage in the
Race and Social Justice Initiative
by working to dismantle racist policies and procedures, unlearn the way things have always been done, and provide equitable processes and services.
The City of Seattle offers a comprehensive benefits package including vacation, holiday, and sick leave as well as medical, dental, vision, life and long-term disability insurance for employees and their dependents. More information about employee benefits is available on the City's website at:
https://www.seattle.gov/human-resources/benefits/employees-and-covered-family-members/most-employees-plans
#J-18808-Ljbffr
Buyer
position within the Purchasing and Contracting (PC) Division of the department of Finance and Administrative Services (FAS). This position works on a team of public procurement professionals who provide centralized purchasing for the City of Seattle. This role is responsible for ongoing contract administration and assists Procurement Strategic Advisors in contract renewals, change orders and other contract duties. This role will also manage Invitations to Bid (ITB) and Requests for Proposals (RFP) to establish Citywide blanket contracts or for large, one-time purchases.
The Buyer will also be assigned to assist on special projects including policy research, WMBE programs, environmental initiatives or other Citywide social responsibility initiatives. The City Purchasing Team is an active team with a rapid pace and a strong commitment to excellent customer service and efficient and effective procurement.
ABOUT USFAS is often the public's first interaction with the City of Seattle, operating as a customer-focused front door that assists with everything from paying utilities or reporting a pothole to requesting public information or even adopting a new pet.
The 450-plus employees of
FAS
span across 10 divisions and work behind-the-scenes providing critical functions, like managing 120 City facilities—including police and fire stations—coordinating logistics and emergency management and making sure minority-owned businesses can equitably compete for City contracts. FAS is a collaborative workplace with collective accountability to promote equity, respect, civility, integrity, inclusiveness, and fairness for all employees.
ResponsibilitiesConducts open competitive bidding process, composes and issues solicitations and advertisements and serves as sole City contact for vendor communications.Conducts pre-bid conferences and site visits, writes amendments to ITBs/RFPs, solicits and encourages WMBE participation.Tabulates and evaluates bid prices, quality and delivery time to establish lowest, responsible bidder. Makes recommendation for award and briefs management on disputed awards. Identifies irregularities affecting the responsiveness of a bid or creating grounds for bid protest and prepares document to defend award recommendation. For RFPs, negotiates an acceptable contract with guidance and develops contract document.Administers contracts, monitors and assesses vendor performance and monitors customer satisfaction and utilization. Amends contracts as required and assists users in dealing with nonconforming vendors. Resolves service disputes, prepares change orders to existing contracts and maintains records of problems and performance.Provides internal customer service by developing and maintaining effective and collaborative working relationships with department users/requesters. Conducts needs analyses and market research and participates in user group meetings to identify customer requirements and specifications.Provides technical advice and assistance to departments on products and vendors, and in compiling and reviewing technical and contractual specifications.Provides external customer service by developing and maintaining working contacts with contracted vendors and provides information on City operations, purchasing and bidding policies, procedures and processes.Promotes WMBE participation by conducting outreach to WMBE vendors, explaining the contracting process and assessing a vendor’s capability to supply the City with needed services and materials. Informs vendors on upcoming contracting opportunities and participates in WMBE workshops and events.
Minimum QualificationsRequires three (3) years of experience in the bidding, award, development, implementation and administration of contracts;
OROne (1) year of experience in the bidding, award, development, implementation and administration of contracts AND a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration or related field;
OROr a combination of education, training and/or experience which provides an equivalent background required to perform the work of this position.
The most successful candidates will possess the following:Working knowledge of the principles and practices of public procurement (City, State and Federal).Knowledge of automated procurement, contract management and financial systems.Knowledge of prevailing wage requirements.Skill in applying contract law and public sector procurement law and regulations, including familiarity with the legal requirements for purchased goods and services.Strong analytical, communication and written skills.Experience in handling multiple assignments concurrently.Ability to make mathematical computations to determine selling price, discounts, percentages, volumes, weights and measures.Proficient computer skills using Outlook, MS Word and Excel.Experience with social equity and environmentally responsible purchasing practices.
Work EnvironmentThis position requires a minimum of three days per week of onsite work. Overtime work may be required based on business needs. Alternative Work Arrangements and hybrid telework schedules for work conducted in a normal office environment may be considered and will be based on operational needs and consistency with City policies. This position is classified as a
Buyer . It is Civil Service represented, FLSA non-exempt and is eligible for overtime. The full range for this step-progression position is $43.97 - $51.22 per hour.
Application ProcessApplications are reviewed after the posting closes. You must submit the following items to be considered for this position no later than
4:00pm Pacific Time on the scheduled closed date .
Completed NEOGOV online application.Cover letter describing how your skills and experience align with the stated job responsibilities and qualifications.Current resume indicating relevant experience, knowledge, skills, and education.
Your application may be rejected as incomplete if you do not include the relevant information in the application. Cover letters and/or resumes are not accepted in lieu of a completed application. Applications and/or Supplemental Questionnaires that state “see my resume” or “see my personnel file” are considered incomplete and will not be accepted.
PLEASE NOTE: This job advertisement is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.
Why work at the City of Seattle
?The
City of Seattle
recognizes every City employee must play a role in ending institutional and structural racism. Our culture is the result of our behavior, our personal commitments, and the ways that we courageously share our perspectives and encourage others to do the same. To cultivate an antiracist culture, we seek employees who will engage in the
Race and Social Justice Initiative
by working to dismantle racist policies and procedures, unlearn the way things have always been done, and provide equitable processes and services.
The City of Seattle offers a comprehensive benefits package including vacation, holiday, and sick leave as well as medical, dental, vision, life and long-term disability insurance for employees and their dependents. More information about employee benefits is available on the City's website at:
https://www.seattle.gov/human-resources/benefits/employees-and-covered-family-members/most-employees-plans
#J-18808-Ljbffr