Buyer

Pinal-County; Florence (AZ); On-site; USD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid vacation and sick leave

13 paid holidays + floating holiday

Sabbaticals every 5 years

Dental and vision plans

Wellness program

Tuition reimbursement

Alternative work schedules

Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF)

Job summary

Pinal County is seeking a procurement professional to handle buying of supplies, equipment, and services in compliance with county procurement codes. The role requires issuing purchase orders, evaluating supplier bids, and coordinating formal solicitations.

The ideal candidate will have a Bachelor's degree in a related field and at least two years of purchasing/finance experience, with strong negotiation and market research skills.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree requirement and related field experience.
• Two years of purchasing and finance experience.
• Knowledge of procurement codes and contracting processes.
• Ability to conduct market research and cost/benefit analysis.

Responsibilities

• Issue purchase orders in accordance with County Procurement Code.
• Solicit quotes, evaluate bids, and select suppliers.
• Administer formal solicitations (RFP/IFB/ROQ) and coordinate proposals.
• Negotiate contracts to ensure best value and performance.
• Maintain supplier relationships and resolve contractual issues.
• Prepare budget and financial reports and monitor expenditures.
• Protect confidentiality of county information.
• Perform other duties as required.

Skills

Procurement tasks

Contract negotiations

Supplier management

Budget and cost analysis

Data research techniques

Education

Bachelor's degree in Finance, Purchasing, Business Administration, or related field

Job description

What are you seeking in a new position? If you’re like many others, doing something meaningful is important to you. How about work/life balance? Affordable healthcare? Comprehensive well-being programs? An excellent retirement plan with significant employer contributions?

If you answered “yes” to these questions, keep reading. You can find it all right here in Pinal County. It might be time for a change of scenery, where you can make a difference and benefit from an employer who cares for and values its people.

Pinal County proudly invests in the future of our 2000 employees every day, and we have the best team! We offer a wide range of impressive benefits, including retirement plans that are among the best Arizona has to offer! Just take a look:

• An Employer that Values Each Employee and Prioritizes a Work Experience that Provides Ample Time for Stress Reduction and Work-Life Balance.
• Paid Vacation And Sick Leave
  • 15 Vacation Days Accrued Annually Starting Day One
    • After Three (3) Years of Service, 18 Vacation Days Accrued Annually
    • After Five (5) Years of Service, 20 Vacation Days Accrued Annually
  • 13 Sick Leave Days Accrued Annually Starting Day One
• Ten Paid Holidays+ One Paid Floating Holiday to Use as You Wish
• Paid Sabbaticals Every Five (5) Years
  • Two-Week Sabbatical After Five Years of Continuous Service
  • Three-Week Sabbatical After Ten Years of Continuous Service
  • Four-Week Sabbatical After Fifteen Years of Continuous Service
  • Four-Week Sabbaticals Every Five Years After Fifteen Years of Continuous Service
• Retirement Plans with Generous Employer Contributions - Guaranteed Lifetime Benefit!
• Variety of Top Tier Affordable Medical Plans - Six Different Medical Plans to Choose From
  • Some Medical Plans with Zero Employee Premium Cost
• Dental and Vision Plans
• Comprehensive Wellness Program
  • Quarterly Wellness Challenges
  • Vision Exams and Optometry Events Onsite
  • Vaccination Clinics
  • Onsite Mammogram and Prostate Screening Events
  • Skin Cancer Screening Events Onsite
  • Biometrics and Health Screening Events Onsite
  • Financial Health and Retirement Planning Events Onsite & Online
  • Fitness Resources and Onsite Sessions Like Yoga and Tai Chi
• Tuition Reimbursement Program
• Alternative Work Schedules
• Telehealth
• Qualified Employer - Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program - Department of Education
• Employee Assistance Program with Ongoing Training & Development Options
• Civil Service Leave
• Van Pool Options
• Short-Term Disability – Employer Paid
• Basic Life Insurance - Employer Paid
• Flexible Spending Accounts for Dependent Care and Medical Expenses
• Suite of Voluntary Benefits including additional Life, Accident, Critical Illness & Cancer Insurance

Working at Pinal County is an investment in YOU.

JOB SUMMARY

Perform buying work of moderate difficulty in the procurement of supplies, equipment, and service in compliance with County procurement codes.

Work in this classification requires an individual to be able to perform the essential job functions satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the primary classification functions herein described. Since every duty associated with this classification may not be described herein, employees may be required to perform duties not specifically spelled out in this classification description, but which may be reasonably considered to be incidental in the performing of their duties just as though they were actually written out in this description.

• Issue purchase orders in accordance to Pinal County Procurement Code, review department requisition, research applicable contracts, and solicit competitive quotes and supplier selection.
• Procure complex and/or technical services and commodities by preparing, soliciting, evaluating, and negotiating contracts and determine if existing contracts are advantageous and appropriate or if a new solicitation (formal or informal) is required.
• Administer the formal solicitation process (RFP, IFB, ROQ) which includes: identifying and coordinating development of scope of work, organizing pre-proposal conferences, chairing evaluation committee meetings, conducting consultant interviews and demonstrations, preparing award recommendation to the Board of Supervisors, issuing notices of award, and handling any post-award issues that may include coordinating, evaluating, and ruling on any formal protests.
• Provide County stakeholders and the general public with guidance interpreting the Pinal County Procurement Code and make decisions pertaining to the application of procurement laws, policies, procedures, and practices in relation to the code.
• Manage supplier relationships by investigating and resolving any contractual or performance problems by the use of phone, written correspondence, and/or facilitating face-to-face meetings.
• Ensure maximum value for expenditures is achieved by conducting market research, cost/benefit analysis, contract negotiations and performing strategic forecasting of future requirements.
• Mediate and resolve any disputes between suppliers, vendors, or contractors, and county stakeholders.
• Research and interview potential new suppliers and determine viability, contractual status, and compatibility to current business model.
• Evaluate and refine current procurement methodology by surveying other agencies, taking continuing education, and reviewing journals and publications for best practices.
• Research and resolve supplier invoice and payment issues as required.
• Maintain absolute confidentiality of work-related issues, customer records, and restricted County information.
• Perform other related duties as required.

• Bachelor's degree in Finance, Purchasing, Business Administration, or related field.
• Two (2) years of purchasing and finance.
• Or an equivalent combination of relevant education and/or experience may substitute for the minimum requirements.

Preferred Qualifications

Arizona residents must have a valid Arizona Driver’s License upon hire; newly established Arizona Residents must have one within 30 days of hire.

• Knowledge of pertinent Federal, state, and local laws, codes, and regulations as they apply to area of assignment.
• Demonstrated ability to successfully perform procurement tasks including but not limited to total cost analysis, pre-negotiation planning, contract negotiations, supplier management,
• Knowledge of effective data research techniques, statistical analysis, report writing, and presentation skills.
• Skill in utilizing personal computer software programs affecting assigned work and in compiling and preparing budget and financial reports.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with other department staff, management, outside agencies, community groups, and the general public.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The work is light and requires exerting up to 20 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 10 pounds of force to move objects. The work also requires the ability to finger, perform repetitive motion, hear, speak, demonstrate mental and visual acuity.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

Work is performed in a relatively safe, secure, and stable work environment.

The hiring salary for this position is dependent upon experience, qualifications and position funding; starting salaries above the first quartile require additional approval.

NOTICE TO APPLICANTS

We appreciate your interest in our employment opportunities. At Pinal County, we value

professionalism and respect for others. If these values are not demonstrated throughout the application and interview process, we reserve the right to remove your candidacy from consideration,

which may impact your future Pinal County applications.

Offers of employment are valid only if provided in writing and approved by Pinal County Human Resources.

All qualified candidates eligible to work in the United States are welcome to apply.

However, visa sponsorship is not available.

Pinal County does not participate in STEM Optional Practical Training (STEM OPT).

Pinal County requires pre-employment screening, which includes a Motor Vehicle Record check, a comprehensive background check (encompassing employment, education, and criminal history), and drug testing for safety-sensitive roles. Criminal convictions do not automatically disqualify candidates from employment. Employment offers are contingent on successful pre-employment screening. If driving is a requirement of the position, you must have a valid Arizona State Driver's License in accordance with Arizona State Law.

Work in this classification requires an individual to be able to perform the essential job functions satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the primary classification functions herein described. Since every duty associated with this classification may not be described herein, employees may be required to perform duties not specifically spelled out in this classification description, but which may be reasonably considered to be incidental in the performing of their duties just as though they were actually written out in this description.