BUYER

LA Metro; Los Angeles (CA); On-site; USD 65,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

LA Metro is seeking a procurement professional in Los Angeles to manage sourcing, expediting, and contracting activities. You will work with clients, peers, suppliers and executive management to execute master procurement processes and ensure purchases align with organizational goals.

The role involves preparing RFPs/IFBs, negotiating terms, and monitoring supplier performance while maintaining Metro policies and guidelines.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required or equivalent professional experience.
• At least 1 year of relevant purchasing experience.
• Certifications from NCMA/APICS/ISM or equivalent preferred.

Responsibilities

• Review requisitions and process orders within Metro rules and policies.
• Select vendors, obtain and compare price quotes, and evaluate bids.
• Prepare RFPs/IFBs in compliance with policies and regulations.
• Negotiate terms and contract awards; monitor vendor performance.
• Ensure timely order processing and resolve discrepancies with Accounting.

Skills

Procurement

Negotiation

Data analysis

Communication

Vendor management

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Business/Public Administration/related

Tools

MS Excel

Vendor management system

Job description

Performs journey-level work purchasing materiel, supplies, and services to achieve organizational goals through best practices. This position is responsible for Sourcing, Expediting, Procurement, Supplier Management and Contracts. In addition, the position requires the ability to work with clients, peers, suppliers and executive management. A heavy workload to create purchase orders and contracts.

Recruitment Timelines

Interviews are projected to be scheduled for the week of December 15th, 2025. These dates are subject to change. We encourage you to monitor your governmentjobs.com profile and emails for the latest updates.

• Reviews and processes requisitions for all divisions using the enterprise purchasing system
• Ensures orders are processed within Metro's rules, policies, and guidelines
• Prioritizes daily workload to achieve maximum effort in order to meet set administrative deadlines that are directly linked to an agency Key Performance Indicator (KPI)
• Resolves discrepancies promptly and effectively, and provides alternative solutions
• Prepares Requests for Proposals (RFPs) and Invitations for Bids (IFBs) in compliance with Metro's policies and procedures and with state and federal rules and regulations
• Selects vendors and obtains and compares price quotes
• Evaluates proposals and bids
• Negotiates purchase terms and awards contracts
• Uses appropriate purchase procedures for acquiring materiel, supplies, and services
• Monitors vendor performance against contract requirements
• Verifies deliveries are consistent with orders
• Resolves receiving/warehouse problems and adjusts payments with Accounting Department
• Advises other departments on availability of materiel and new products
• Researches and obtains new supply sources
• Assigns freight carriers as designated in Los Angeles County routing guide
• Prepares comprehensive reports and correspondence
• Maintains computer files
• Supports diversity and economic outreach goals and programs

May be required to perform other related job duties

A combination of education and/or experience that provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the essential functions of the position. Additional experience, as outlined below, may be substituted for required education on a year-for-year basis. A typical combination includes:

Education

• Bachelor's Degree in Business, Public Administration, or a related field

Experience

• One year of relevant experience performing purchasing activities

Certifications/Licenses/Special Requirements

• A valid California Class C Driver License or the ability to utilize an alternative method of transportation when needed to carry out job-related essential functions
• Professional certification from National Contract Management Association (NCMA), American Production and Inventory Control Society (APICS), Institute for Supply Management (ISM), or equivalent preferred

Preferred Qualifications

Preferred Qualifications (PQs) are used to identify relevant knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSAs) as determined by business necessity. These criteria are considered preferred qualifications and are not intended to serve as minimum requirements for the position. PQs will help support selection decisions throughout the recruitment. In addition, applicants who possess these PQs will not automatically be selected.

The following are the preferred qualifications:

• Experience conducting sourcing for hard-to-find alternative suppliers, substitute items and/or custom items for Rail, Bus and Maintenance of Way.
• Experience working with suppliers to prevent the need for late orders as well as the ability to establish supplier relationships for “hot” or critical orders
• Experience working in a fast-paced environment that may exceed an 8-hour work day or 5 days a week to process Purchase Orders
• Experience with analytics (MS Excel) used for inventory management and supplier negotiations
• Experience improving processes and performance by evaluating procedures, data and results

Knowledge of

• Theories, principles, and practices of procurement
• Applicable local, state, and federal laws, rules, and regulations governing policies related to procurement including Disadvantaged Business Enterprises (DBE)
• Market trends and pricing conditions of various commodities, products, and services
• Types, uses, and sources of materiel and services used by large organizations
• Applicable business software applications

Skill in

• Performing procurement functions
• Negotiating procurement transactions effectively
• Analyzing data and situations, identifying problems, and recommending solutions
• Exercising sound judgment and creativity in making decisions
• Interacting professionally with all levels of Metro employees and outside representatives
• Communicating effectively orally and in writing
• Operating computers and general office equipment

Ability to

• Compile and analyze data
• Prepare specifications, IFBs, RFPs, and contracts
• Understand, interpret, and apply laws, rules, regulations, policies, procedures, contracts, budgets, and labor/management agreements
• Prepare comprehensive reports and correspondence
• Travel to offsite locations
• Read, write, speak, and understand English

Special Conditions

• This job specification is not to be construed as an exhaustive list of duties, responsibilities, or requirements
• The physical demands described are representative of those that must be met by the employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job
• Metro provides reasonable accommodation to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions
• This classification is at‑will and the incumbent serves at the pleasure of the hiring authority when classified as an Intermittent, Emergency, Annuitant, or Temporary employee, is assigned to the Office of Inspector General (OIG) or Board Clerk's Office, and/or reporting directly to the LACMTA Board of Directors
• Contributes to ensuring that the Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) policies and programs of Metro are carried out

Working Conditions

• Typical office situation
• Close exposure to computer monitors and video screen

Physical Effort Required

• Sitting at a desk or table
• Operate a telephone or other telecommunications device and communicate through the medium
• Type and use a keyboard and mouse to perform necessary computer-based functions
• Communicating through speech in the English language required

(SA)