<p>Are you experienced in warehousing, inventory, or stock control work?  Do you have a passion for procurement? Take a look at this incredible opportunity to join our Finance Department as the next Assistant Buyer! Apply today!</p> <p>Upcoming Salary Increases and Incentives:</p> <p>3% COLAeffective July 1, 2025</p> <p>3% COLA effective July 1, 2026</p> <p>2.5% Education Incentive (bachelor's degree)</p> <p>5% Education Incentive (master's degree)</p> <p>The Assistant Buyer is responsible to perform a variety of technical procurement and related services within the City's purchasing division; review purchase orders, purchase requisitions, bids, specifications, and invoices for accuracy and appropriateness; coordinate the purchase of supplies, materials, equipment and services in order to support and enhance the delivery of City services; monitor contracts to ensure compliance with purchasing and related requirements; prepare and maintain a variety of purchasing related records, files, lists and forms; respond to inquiries and provide information regarding purchasing activities.</p> <p>Application and Examination Process</p> <p>The Supplemental Questionnaire is the Training and Experience Exam (Weighted 100%). In addition to the City of Modesto employment application, applicants must complete and submit online responses to the supplemental questionnaire. Only the applicants who meet the minimum qualifications by the final filing date will become candidates and their supplemental questionnaire will be rated and scored. This exam will evaluate the relevance, level, and progression of a candidate's education, training and experience. Therefore, your responses to the supplemental questionnaire should be thorough and complete because the exam score will determine your ranking on the eligible list for this position. When completing the supplemental questionnaire, please note:</p> <ul> <li>Responses to the supplemental questionnaire must be submitted online; paper questionnaires will not be accepted. </li><li>Incomplete supplemental questionnaires will not pass the review process; omitted information cannot be considered or assumed. </li><li>A resume will not substitute for the information required in the supplemental questionnaire. </li><li>Any work experience described in your supplemental question answers MUST also be found under Work Experience on your application. </li></ul> <p>The City of Modesto is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to fostering, cultivating and preserving a culture of diversity, equity and inclusion. A City application is required, including Supplemental Questionnaire.   </p> <p>Essential and other important responsibilities and duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:</p> <p>Essential Functions:</p> <p>Receive, examine and process purchase requisitions; check for correct ordering, accounting and departmental approval information; issue purchase orders.</p> <p>Research and identify new sources for use in bidding; obtain bid and price information by mail, phone, fax, computer or direct contact with vendors; work with departments to prepare equipment, materials and services specifications and other necessary documents to facilitate procurement.</p> <p>Solicit, receive, calculate and evaluate bids and proposals for price and quality; negotiate with vendors on behalf of the City; interview and correspond with vendors regarding their materials, services and products; ascertain whether vendors meet business license, insurance and other City requirements.</p> <p>Purchase office supplies, maintenance/repair/operating materials, equipment and services.</p> <p>Monitor contracts for compliance, correcting any non-compliance bidding of services for annual contracts, and compiling of cost projections for budget purposes.</p> <p>Issue blanket purchase orders; research requests; evaluate past usage; contact vendors for pricing and terms.</p> <p>Project future pricing on frequently purchased items and services for budget preparation purposes.</p> <p>Respond to inquiries and clarify information from departments regarding purchasing process, supplies, equipment, and problems with invoices and purchase requisitions; provide assistance regarding the use of city-wide procurement software and related systems.</p> <p>Maintain vendor files; contact established sources of supply to obtain specifications and price quotations.</p> <p>Interpret and apply City purchasing policies and procedures; stay current on laws, regulations, ordinances, principles, practices and procedures for purchasing.</p> <p>Assist in the development and preparation of instructions and forms related to purchasing and stores; assist in recommending and developing more efficient procurement methods and techniques.</p> <p>Prepare formal Requests for Proposals (RFP's) and Requests for Bids (RFB's); prepare Council reports requesting authorization to issue RFP's and RFB's and to award contracts.</p> <p>Maintain a variety of files, records, lists and manuals; maintain and prepare periodic and special reports; prepare price, quality and value comparisons in the evaluation of bids, materials, services and equipment needs.</p> <p>Build and maintain positive working relationships with co-workers, other City employees and the public using principles of good customer service.</p> <p>Marginal Functions:</p> <p>Perform other related duties as required.</p> <p>Knowledge of:</p> <p>Basic principles, practices, methods, and techniques of public agency purchasing.</p> <p>General laws and regulations applicable to public agency purchasing.</p> <p>Materials, supplies, and equipment typically used in local government services.</p> <p>Modern office procedures and practices.</p> <p>Personal computers and standard business software.</p> <p>General methods and practices of bookkeeping and financial and statistical record keeping.</p> <p>Ability to:</p> <p>Perform technical purchasing activities in a local government environment.</p> <p>Learn City purchasing procedures and appropriate government codes applicable to purchasing.</p> <p>With input from City departments, assist with the preparation of equipment, material and service specifications.</p> <p>Learn to evaluate the quality and price of products to judge suitability of goods and alternatives offered.</p> <p>Make arithmetic calculations with speed and accuracy; perform statistical analyses.</p> <p>Operate a computer, calculator, and other basic office equipment; utilize standard business software.</p> <p>Understand, interpret and explain department policies and procedures; explain operations and problem solve office issues for the public and with staff.</p> <p>Communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.</p> <p>Establish and maintain effective working relationships with both internal and external customers.</p> <p>Experience and Training Guidelines:</p> <p>Any combination of experience and training that would likely provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be:</p> <p>Experience:</p> <p>Two years of journey level clerical experience that included some responsibility for purchasing supplies and materials.</p> <p>Training:</p> <p>Equivalent to an Associate's degree from an accredited college with major course work in business administration, public administration, purchasing, materials management or a related field. Possession of a certificate as a Certified Purchasing Manager (CPM), Certified Public Purchasing Buyer (CPPB), or Certified Public Purchasing Officer (CPPO) is highly desirable and may be substituted for the required education.</p> <p>Mobility: frequent use of keyboard; frequent sitting for long periods of time; occasional bending or squatting. Lifting: frequent up to 10 pounds; occasionally up to 25 pounds. Vision: constant use of overall vision; frequent reading and close-up work; occasional color and depth vision. Dexterity: frequent repetitive motion; frequent writing; frequent grasping, holding, and reaching. Hearing/Talking: frequent hearing and talking, in person and on the phone. Emotional/Psychological: frequent decision-making and concentration; frequent public and/or coworker contact; occasional working done. Environmental: frequent exposure to noise.</p> <p>WORKING CONDITIONS</p> <p>Work is performed in a typical temperature controlled office environment subject to typical office noise and environment. Some work may involve remote locations. Positions may require occasional overtime and weekend work and travel is rare.</p>