Buyer

Ventura, City of (CA); Ventura (CA); On-site; USD 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive pay and benefits

Professional development support

Vacation & Holiday Compensation

Deferred Compensation

CalPERS Retirement

Tuition Reimbursement & Bilingual Pay

Job summary

Ventura, City of (CA) is seeking a Buyer or Senior Buyer in the Finance Department to procure supplies, equipment, and services with emphasis on contract development, negotiation, and administration. The role requires ensuring compliance with procurement standards and managing vendor performance.

Key duties include evaluating requisitions, drafting bid specifications, and monitoring contract spend while aligning with federal, state, and local requirements.

Qualifications

• Buyer requires two years of college coursework in business or a related field plus two years of purchasing experience.
• Senior Buyer requires a Bachelor's in business/public administration or related field plus two years of Buyer-level experience with the City OR three years of volume purchasing with one year in a public agency and some contract experience.

Responsibilities

• Provide purchasing guidance and market analysis to City departments; assist with bid specifications and effectiveness of procurement.
• Prepare federally compliant solicitations, bids, and proposals; solicit bids and evaluate proposals on cost and quality.
• Negotiate contracts within assigned commodities and ensure compliance with local, state, and federal requirements; support contract administration.

Skills

Procurement

Vendor negotiation

Contract administration

Public procurement

Education

Two-year college coursework

Bachelor's degree in business or public administration

Tools

Procurement software

Job description

Pay & Benefits

Whether you're starting your career journey or seeking new opportunities, we welcome all and offer:

• Competitive pay and benefits
• Strong supportfor professional development
• Vacation & Holiday Compensation
• Deferred Compensation
• CalPERS Retirement
• Tuition Reimbursement & Bilingual Pay

Pay (Salary DOQ):

• Buyer - $64,381.62 - $86,271.74
• Senior Buyer - $74,662.23 - $100,048.21

About the Opportunity

The City of Ventura is seeking a customer service-oriented and detail-focused purchasing professional to join the Finance Department as a Buyer or Senior Buyer. This position is responsible for procuring supplies, equipment, and services within assigned commodities, with a strong emphasis on contract development, negotiation, review, and administration.

Key responsibilities include negotiating vendor contracts, ensuring compliance with applicable federal, state, and local procurement requirements, and administering contracts in accordance with federal procurement standards under 2 CFR Part 200, where applicable. The position also supports contract monitoring, expenditure tracking, renewals, and vendor performance to ensure contractual obligations are met and public resources are managed responsibly. This is a flexibly staffed position, with the level of appointment determined by the candidate’s qualifications and experience, applicable minimum qualifications (MQs), and the needs of the City.

Key responsibilities include:

• Provides purchasing guidance and information to City departments regarding market trends, product availability, industry developments, and supply conditions; evaluates departmental needs and coordinates product samples and demonstrations.
• Reviews purchase requisitions for accuracy and completeness; assists departments in developing bid specifications and ensures requirements are appropriate and clearly defined.
• Prepares federally compliant solicitations, bids, and proposals, including terms and conditions; solicits formal and informal bids, conducts pre-bid meetings and formal bid openings, and evaluates vendor proposals based on cost, quality, and suitability of products and services.
• Negotiates contracts for products and services, within assigned commodities and in accordance with federal guidance under 2CFR200, and supports contract administration to ensure all local, state, and federal purchasing requirements are met.
• Citywide general contract administration, including but not limited to: monitoring contract spend, renewals, and legal compliance.
• Resolves purchase order issues and vendor disputes by coordinating with City departments and vendors; expedites orders and processes change orders as needed.
• Evaluates vendor performance, interviews prospective vendors, and assesses their qualifications and suitability to provide goods and services to the City.
• May supervise clerical staff and perform other related duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications – Required

Buyer: A combination of education, training and experience equivalent to completion of two years of college coursework in business administration, or a related field, and two years of experience in volume purchasing of specified commodities is required.

Senior Buyer: A combination of education, training and experience equivalent to a Bachelor's degree in business or public administration, or a related field, and two years of experience equivalent to that of Buyer with the City of Ventura OR three years of volume purchasing experience including one year with a public agency and some experience with contract agreements, are required.

License: Depending on assignment, possession of a valid California Class C driver's license may be required.

About the Department

The Finance Department serves as a key internal service department, providing financial resources, information, and services that support the City’s operations and the effective delivery of public services. With a focus on sound financial management, responsible stewardship of public resources, and transparency, the Department helps ensure the City’s financial stability while supporting its long-term organizational and community goals.

The Department is comprised of 33 staff members across four primary divisions: Administration, Accounting, Financial Services, and Treasury. Together, these divisions oversee a broad range of municipal financial functions, including accounting and financial reporting, budgeting, purchasing and contracts, payroll, revenue administration, cash and investment management,debt management, and financial planning.

Working collaboratively with City departments, the Finance Department provides reliable financial information and services that support informed decision-making, responsible resource allocation, and accountability. The Department is committed to maintaining strong financial practices and providing transparent, high-quality services that support the City today while strengthening its financial position for the future.

Application Deadline:

Sunday, November 1, 2026, at 11:59 p.m.

Selection Process Timeline:

• November 12, 2026 – Oral Panel Interviews
• Week of 11/15 – Departmental Interviews
• As a condition of employment, selected candidates may be required to complete a background screening process.

While the eligibility list for this classification may be used to fill other regular vacancies at the discretion of the City, this recruitment is specifically intended to fill the Buyer position within the Finance Department. Candidates selected from the eligibility list will be considered for assignment to this department based on departmental needs and the candidate’s qualifications and experience.

Learn more about the Buyer position by reviewing the job description here.

Additional Information

To learn more about the City’s hiring process, visit the City of Ventura Hiring Process page.

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In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), if you need an accommodation in a selection process, please notify the Human Resources Department in writing by the final filing date of the position you are interested in. The Human Resources address is: 501 Poli Street, Room 210, Ventura, CA 93001, [phone], e-mail: [e-mail].

The City is an equal opportunity employer and strives to attract qualified applicants from all walks of life without regard to race, color, ethnicity, religion, national origin, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, ancestry, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, military and veteran status, or any other status protected under federal, state and/or local law. We aim to create an environment that celebrates and embraces the diversity of our workforce. We welcome you to join our team!