Purchasing Agent - City of Birmingham

Personnel Board of Jefferson County; Birmingham (AL); On-site; USD 81,000 - 126,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical and dental insurance

Pension plan

Paid holidays

Sick and vacation leave

Job summary

The Personnel Board of Jefferson County in Birmingham, Alabama seeks a Purchasing Agent to oversee procurement operations, supervise staff, develop specifications and bid proposals, and manage vendor bids and contracts. You will issue purchase orders, maintain vendor relationships, and assist with budgeting while ensuring compliance with applicable regulations.

The role emphasizes cost-saving opportunities, process improvements, and ethical procurement practices within a governmental framework.

Qualifications

• Experience in purchasing, procurement, and/or acquisition to include sourcing of materials and supplies, contract administration, negotiation, vendor management, inventory management, and implementation of cost-saving strategies.
• Experience supervising professional and clerical personnel (e.g., approving leave, counseling employees and taking disciplinary action, and conducting performance appraisals).
• Experience in creating specifications and bid proposals, awarding bids, and creating purchase orders.
• Experience in data analysis (e.g., forecasting, market trends, strategic vendor engagement).

Responsibilities

• Direct the daily operations of the organization’s procurement activities to maximize value through strategic sourcing and supplier management.
• Collaborate with finance, legal, operations, and inventory management to align procurement with business objectives.
• Establish and maintain procurement policies and guidelines, ensuring compliance with state and federal laws when updating procedures.
• Procure and manage inventory to meet departmental operational needs.
• Develop and implement procurement strategies by analyzing market trends and supply chain risks to identify savings opportunities.
• Supervise staff by assigning work, providing feedback, and coordinating training.

Skills

Vendor negotiation

Budgeting & forecasting

Regulatory compliance

Procurement leadership

Data analysis

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Public Administration, Accounting, Finance, Purchasing/Procurement, or related field

Job description

Job Summary

The City of Birmingham is seeking a well-qualified Purchasing Agent to oversee procurement operations and ensure departments have timely access to necessary products and services. Responsibilities include supervising procurement staff; developing specifications and bid proposals; soliciting, evaluating, and negotiating vendor bids and contracts; issuing purchase orders; and maintaining vendor relationships. The Purchasing Agent works with department heads to assess procurement needs, improve purchasing processes, and resolve supply issues. The position also assists with budget development and expenditure monitoring, identifies cost-saving opportunities, and ensures procurement activities comply with federal, state, and local regulations, policies, and ethical standards.

Compensation & Benefits

The City of Birmingham provides competitive pay and comprehensive benefits packages to include medical and dental insurance, employer-sponsored retirement plan (pension), generous paid holidays, sick and vacation leave, and more.

Target Close Date

09/25/2026

Pay Grade

Grade 32

Type

Full time

Job Summary

The City of Birmingham is seeking a well-qualified Purchasing Agent to oversee procurement operations and ensure departments have timely access to necessary products and services. Responsibilities include supervising procurement staff; developing specifications and bid proposals; soliciting, evaluating, and negotiating vendor bids and contracts; issuing purchase orders; and maintaining vendor relationships. The Purchasing Agent works with department heads to assess procurement needs, improve purchasing processes, and resolve supply issues. The position also assists with budget development and expenditure monitoring, identifies cost-saving opportunities, and ensures procurement activities comply with federal, state, and local regulations, policies, and ethical standards.

Compensation & Benefits

The City of Birmingham provides competitive pay and comprehensive benefits packages to include medical and dental insurance, employer-sponsored retirement plan (pension), generous paid holidays, sick and vacation leave, and more.

The Pay Range For This Job Is Presented Below

$81,057 - $125,736

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Public Administration, Accounting, Finance, Purchasing/Procurement, or a closely related field of study.
• Experience in purchasing, procurement, and/or acquisition to include sourcing of materials and supplies, contract administration, negotiation, vendor management, inventory management, and implementation of cost-saving strategies.
• Experience supervising professional and clerical personnel (e.g., approving leave, counseling employees and taking disciplinary action, and conducting performance appraisals).
• Experience in creating specifications and bid proposals, awarding bids, and creating purchase orders.
• Experience in data analysis (e.g., forecasting, market trends, strategic vendor engagement).

Typical Job Duties

• Assists in directing the daily operations of the organization’s procurement activities by ensuring goods and services are procured and maximizing value from procurement activities through strategic sourcing and supplier management following established agreements, state and federal laws, and policies and procedures to support business success.
• Acts as a liaison by collaborating with other internal and external stakeholders and vendors, such as finance, legal, operations, and inventory management, to ensure alignment of procurement activities with overall business objectives and operational requirements.
• Establishes and maintains departmental policies, procedures and guidelines related to procurement activity (e.g., vendor selection, contract negotiation, purchasing processes) by reviewing and researching state and federal legislation, regulations, and guidelines to ensure compliance when creating and updating new policies and guidelines, evaluating services, and establishing procedures.
• Establishes and maintains departmental policies, procedures and guidelines related to procurement activity (e.g., vendor selection, contract negotiation, purchasing processes) by reviewing and researching state and federal legislation, regulations, and guidelines to ensure compliance when creating and updating new policies and guidelines, evaluating services, and establishing procedures.
• Procures and/or manages inventory (i.e., supplies and equipment) to ensure the products and services are available to meet the operational needs of each department.
• Assists in the development and implementation of the organization’s procurement strategies by analyzing market trends, assessing supply chain risks, and identifying opportunities for cost savings, efficiency improvements, and innovation to maintain alignment with the organization’s overall objectives.
• Supervises staff by assigning and distributing work, directing staff in their job duties, monitoring progress of work, providing feedback and/or training.

Physical Demands

Job is primarily sedentary involving sitting for long periods of time, but may involve occasional walking or standing for brief periods.

Work Environment

Work is conducted almost exclusively indoors in an office setting. Work involves use of standard office equipment, such as computer, phone, copier, etc.

Eeo Statement

The Personnel Board of Jefferson County provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment with the Personnel Board of Jefferson County, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training. Each Merit System member city/agency operates its own equal employment opportunity policies available on the individual city/agency website.

Accommodation

To request an accommodation in the application or hiring process due to your own ongoing medical condition or disability, please contact our Accommodations Coordinator at [e-mail] or phone at 205-279-3500 (select option 1) Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Central Time. The accommodation process is reserved solely for job seekers with disabilities requesting accessibility assistance or accommodation in the job application process.

Disclaimer

This job posting is not meant to be an all-inclusive list of the job duties, responsibilities, or skills and abilities required for this position and may be changed at the discretion of the Personnel Board at any time.