Buyer (City)

City of Lincoln / Lancaster County; Lincoln (AL); On-site; USD 45,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

City of Lincoln / Lancaster County is seeking a Buyer (City) to perform specialized procurement for City and County departments and partner agencies. You will purchase commodities, services, and construction, while coordinating surplus property disposal through auctions, sales, recycling, or donations.

The role requires independent judgment and adherence to laws, with supervision from the Purchasing Agent. Responsibilities include creating solicitations, managing bid processes, and ensuring

Qualifications

• Graduation from high school with college coursework in business administration, public administration, accounting or related field.
• Six months of experience in private or public procurement and contracting.
• Knowledge of public procurement, contract development, and related laws.
• Familiarity with municipal operations and terminology.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office.
• Strong project coordination, analytical and communication 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

Contract development

Surplus property disposition

Project coordination

Analytical skills

Communication skills

Interdepartmental collaboration

Education

High school diploma with college coursework in business/public administration or accounting

Six months procurement/contracting experience

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

Posting number: 202600514

Department: COL-Finance-Purchasing

Job classification: Buyer (City)

Posting type: Open

Categories: Purchasing

Summary

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 the desirable knowledge, abilities and skills.