Buyer (City)

City of Lincoln & Lancaster County; Lincoln (NE); On-site; USD 50,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

City of Lincoln & Lancaster County is seeking a procurement professional to manage specialized procurement for city and county departments and partner agencies. This role handles purchasing of commodities, services, and construction needs, and coordinates disposal of surplus property through auctions, sales, recycling, or donations.

The position requires independent judgment, adherence to laws and policies, and collaboration with the Purchasing Agent to guide departments through solicitation,

Qualifications

• Graduation from high school or equivalent supplemented by college-level coursework in business administration, public administration, accounting or related field and six months of experience in private or public procurement and contracting.
• Any equivalent combination of training and experience that provides desirable knowledge, abilities and skills.

Responsibilities

• Create solicitations by consolidating departmental requisitions.
• Develop specifications and solicitation documents with departments.
• Publish solicitations, notify vendors, and answer bidder questions.
• Guide departments through solicitation and contract processes.
• Review bid responses and recommend purchases.
• Conduct pre-bid meetings, bid openings, and coordinate cooperative purchasing.
• Assist with contract negotiation, finalization, adjustments, and compliance.
• Investigate issues with contractor performance and recommend solutions.
• Manage surplus property disposal and maintain auction records.
• Research market pricing and collaborate with other jurisdictions.
• Recommend purchase awards, respond to bid protests, and support contract enforcement.

Skills

Public procurement knowledge

Contract development

Surplus property disposition

Municipal operations familiarity

Microsoft Office

Project coordination

Analytical skills

Communication skills

Education

High school diploma

College coursework in business/public administration

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

This position performs specialized procurement work for City and County departments and partner agencies. Responsibilities include purchasing a variety of commodities, services, and construction needs, as well as coordinating the disposal of surplus property through auctions, sales, recycling, or donations. Work requires independent judgment and adherence to laws, policies, and procedures, under the general supervision of the Purchasing Agent.

Examples of Work Performed

• Create solicitations by consolidating departmental requisitions.


• Develop specifications and solicitation documents with departments.


• Publish solicitations, notify vendors, and answer bidder questions.


• Guide departments through solicitation and contract processes.


• Review bid responses and recommend purchases.


• Conduct pre-bid meetings, bid openings, and coordinate cooperative purchasing.


• Assist with contract negotiation, finalization, adjustments, and compliance.


• Investigate issues with contractor performance and recommend solutions.


• Manage surplus property disposal and maintain auction records.


• Research market pricing and collaborate with other jurisdictions.


• Recommend purchase awards, respond to bid protests, and support contract enforcement.

Desirable Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Understanding of public procurement, contract development, and legal requirements.


• Knowledge of surplus property disposition.


• Familiarity with municipal operations and related terminology.


• Proficiency in Microsoft Office.


• Strong project coordination, analytical, and communication skills.


• Ability to maintain effective working relationships across departments and agencies.

Desirable Training & Experience

• Experience in public procurement, contract development, or surplus property management.


• Any equivalent combination of training and experience that provides required knowledge and skills.

Minimum Qualifications:

Graduation from high school or equivalent supplemented by college-level coursework in business administration, public administration, accounting or related field and six months of experience in private or public procurement and contracting; or any equivalent combination of training and experience that provides desirable knowledge, abilities and skills.