SANTA ANA UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT

SENIOR BUYER

BASIC FUNCTION:

Under the direction of the Director of Purchasing and Stores, purchase and contract for supplies, services, materials and equipment necessary to the oper­ation of the District; provide work direction and guidance to other Buyers and Purchasing Assistants.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS:

Incumbents in this classification prepare bid specifications and deal with complex, sensitive and difficult purchases involving substantial expenditure of District funds.  This classification also involves the coordination of the Purchasing Office and assumption of the Director's duty in the Director's absence. Decisions are made with general review and incumbents perform duties with considerable freedom to act in a high volume setting.

REPRESENTATIVE DUTIES:

Supervise the work of Buyers and Purchasing Assistants in the absence of the Director as assigned. E

Review and check incoming requisitions for completeness and clarity; obtain necessary information from school or departments. E

Determine vendor to be utilized based on most favorable prices consis­tent with quality, quantity, and delivery in compliance with specifi­cations, bid conditions and other factors; utilize formal bid techniques. E

Prepare specifications for bids to be sent to various vendors; record and notify contractors of bid addendums; maintain a vendor list and research appropriate vendors as necessary; prepare contractor bid list. E

Prepare legal notices to be advertised in newspapers in compliance with the State Education Code. E

Expedite seriously delayed deliveries by telephone or letter; resolve complex problems regarding deficiencies and quality of equipment, materials or supplies received. E

Make personal visits to schools to aid the personnel with any problems to improve communication between Purchasing and the schools. E

Audit the account numbers assigned to each position submitted by schools and departments. E

Meet with personnel reviewing the requests for new equipment submitted by schools and department; assist in preparing requisitions for equip­ment to be purchased. E

Research new products; consult with vendors and compare quality and prices on new products; organize and attend site test demonstrations as appropriate. E

Conduct bid openings in the absence of Director; analyze bid tabulations and recommend awards to successful bidders; interview sales representative. E

Prepare and process paperwork to renew purchase orders. E

Review technical data, trade journals, catalogs and other sources to keep informed of market conditions. E

Assign vendor purchase order numbers; verify purchases made by staff. E

Prepare periodic and special reports regarding purchasing and special prices and discounts. E

Cooperate with Accounting Department in resolving purchase order and billing discrepancies. E

Attend job walks with contractors related to projects out for bid.

Assist the Director in preparing documents for items above prescribed limits to be presented to the Board of Education.

Perform related duties as assigned.

KNOWLEDGE AND ABILITIES: 

          KNOWLEDGE OF:

Purchasing principles and practices.

Applicable business law and OSHA standards, procedures and terminology.

Accounting regulations applicable to purchasing supplies and equipment.

Sources of supplies, commodity markets and marketing processes.

Modern office practices, procedures and equipment.

Record­-keeping techniques.

School District organization, operations and objectives.

Applicable sections of State Education Code.

Oral and written communication skills.

Computer software applications.

          ABILITY TO:

Operate business machines.

Work effectively with others explaining District purchasing policies and procedures.

Make arithmetic calculations.

Operate modern office equipment including computer equipment.

          Work cooperatively with others.

Communicate effectively with others.

Establish and maintain effective working relationships with others.

Meet schedules and time lines.

Communicate effectively both orally and in writing.

          Perform the essential functions of the job.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

Any combination equivalent to graduation from high school and some courses in purchasing, business administration, accounting or related field and five years' experience in ordering or processing orders including one year in a school district purchasing department.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

          ENVIRONMENT:

          Office environment.

          PHYSICAL ABILITIES:

Hearing and speaking accurately to exchange information in person or on the telephone.

Seeing to read a variety of materials.

Dexterity of hands and fingers to operate a computer keyboard.

Bending at the waist, kneeling or crouching to file materials.

          Lifting or moving objects, normally not exceeding twenty (20) pounds.

Accommodation may be made to enable a person with a disability to perform the essential functions of the job with or without reasonable accommodation.

Board Approved:     (7/91) 5/01