Senior Procurement Buyer

County of Orange; Santa Ana (CA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

The County of Orange seeks a Senior Procurement Buyer to lead procurement activities, negotiate complex contracts, and train staff within the County Procurement Office. You will interpret laws, manage solicitations, and ensure compliant, value-driven purchasing outcomes for diverse departments.

The role requires strong analytical skills, ethical standards, and the ability to collaborate across agencies to meet County goals while maintaining transparency and accountability.

Qualifications

• Experience in procurement, contract administration, and managing complex solicitations.
• Knowledge of public sector procurement policies and procedures.
• Possession of a California Class C Driver’s License is required; Deputy Procurement Agent certification within 12 months.

Responsibilities

• Prepare, review and negotiate contracts and bid/proposal specifications.
• Interpret and analyze procurement laws, rules, and regulations.
• Conduct cost/value analyses and develop precise product specifications.
• Lead staff, provide training, and oversee contract management and administration.
• Determine sources of supply and prepare solicitation documents (IFB, RFQ, RFI, RFP).
• Coordinate approvals with County Counsel, Risk Management, and the Board of Supervisors.

Skills

Procurement principles

Contract negotiation

Leadership

Analytical thinking

Stakeholder communication

Job description

SENIOR PROCUREMENT BUYER

Salary may be negotiable within the range listed above, based on position requirements and successful candidate's qualifications, subject to appropriate authorization.

OPEN TO THE PUBLIC

This recruitment will establish an open eligible list that will be used to fill current and future Senior Procurement Buyer positions. The eligible list established may also be used to fill positions in similar and/or lower classifications throughout the County of Orange.

DEADLINE TO APPLY

This recruitment will be open for a minimum of five (5) business days and will close on Thursday, October 15, 2026, at 11:59pm (PST). Qualified applicants are encouraged to apply immediately.

THE OPPORTUNITY

The County Procurement Office has an exciting opportunity for a Senior Procurement Buyer. The Senior Procurement Buyer may train and monitor the work of staff engaged in the procurement of materials, supplies, equipment and preparation of contracts. In addition, this position performs the more difficult and complex tasks in the unit and interprets County and department policies, rules and regulations governing procurement activities and awarding of contracts. Incumbents will be expected to maintain up-to-date knowledge of the status of prices and general market conditions.

• Preparing, reviewing and negotiating contracts and bid/proposal specifications.
• Interpreting and analyzing legislative and County laws, rules and regulations pertinent to procurement, solicitations, contract negotiation, and contract administration.
• Conducting complex value analysis and developing precise product specifications.
• Serving as a team lead and providing training and guidance to procurement and contracts staff.
• Performing contract management and contract administration.
• Selecting and preparing the appropriate solicitation documents, i.e., Invitation for Bid (IFB), Request for Qualifications (RFQ), Request for Information (RFI), or Request for Proposal (RFP).
• Obtaining the appropriate levels of approval from County Counsel, Risk Management, and the Orange County Board of Supervisors, as required.
• Negotiating and executing contracts for which competitive bidding is not required/appropriate.
• Determining appropriate sources of supply.
• Obtaining required insurance, bonds, and applicable endorsements.

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS AND CORE COMPETENCIES

In addition to the minimum qualifications, the ideal candidate will possess at least one year of experience in procurement, contract administration, and managing complex solicitations.

In addition, the ideal candidate will also have extensive experience in the following core competencies:

TECHNICAL KNOWLEDGE | TECHNICAL EXPERIENCE

• Demonstrating extensive expertise in applying procurement principles, ethics, and best practices, while interpreting and integrating relevant Public Contract Codes, Government Codes and other Federal requirements.
• Ensuring full compliance with County and departmental procurement policies by accurately interpreting governing rules, regulations, and procedures to guide contract development and award processes.
• Preparing and analyzing complex solicitation and contract specifications, researching cooperative agreements, and selecting the most effective solicitation methods to achieve competitive, value-driven procurement outcomes.
• Evaluating supplier capacity, capability, and performance through detailed cost and value analyses.

LEADERSHIP SKILLS

• Effectively leading cross-departmental collaboration to ensure procurement strategies, solicitation documents, and contract awards align with County policies, operational needs, and long-term organizational objectives.
• Providing guidance to staff and end-users in developing precise specifications, value analyses, and approaches to support efficient, compliant, and cost-effective purchasing outcomes.
• Demonstrating strong leadership in negotiating complex contracts by motivating suppliers, influencing internal and external stakeholders, and securing contracts that align with County goals while maintaining fairness and transparency.
• Providing direction, mentorship, and technical expertise to procurement staff to strengthen team capability, enhance workflow efficiency, and ensure consistent adherence to procurement standards and best practices.

ANALYSIS & PROBLEM-SOLVING SKILLS

• Demonstrating strong analytical judgment by interpreting local ordinances and state and federal procurement regulations to ensure contractual decisions are compliant, defensible, and aligned with organizational requirements.
• Applying advanced research and statistical analysis techniques—including data, trend evaluation, and graphical interpretation—to assess market conditions, evaluate and monitor supplier performance, and support evidence-based procurement strategies.
• Serving as an effective liaison by diagnosing the causes of departmental and supplier disputes, facilitating collaborative problem-solving, and implementing solutions that maintain fairness, transparency, and operational continuity.

LICENSE/CERTIFICATION

Possession of a California Class C Driver’s License is Required.

Must obtain Deputy Procurement Agent certification within twelve (12) months of employment.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

to learn more about the minimum qualifications for the Senior Procurement Buyer as well as the physical characteristics and environmental conditions. NOTE: Foreign degrees require an evaluation of U.S. equivalency by an agency that is a member of the National Association of Credential Services (N.A.C.E.S.).

RECRUITMENT PROCESS

Human Resource Services (HRS) will screen all application materials to identify qualified applicants. After screening, qualified applicants will be referred to the next step and notified of all further procedures applicable to their status in the competition.

Application Screening (Refer/Non-Refer)

Applications and supplemental responses will be screened for qualifications that are highly desirable and most needed to successfully perform the duties of this job. Only those applicants that meet the qualifications as listed in the job bulletin will be referred to the next step.

Structured Oral Interview | SOI (Weighted 100%)

The Structured Oral Interview is a timed assessment. Applicants will provide answers to job-related questions, which will be rated by a panel of subject matter experts using standardized evaluation criteria. Only the most qualified candidates will move advance to the next step in the recruitment process or will be placed on the eligible list.

Eligible List

Once the assessment has been completed, HRS will establish an eligible list of candidates. Candidates placed on the eligible list may be referred to a selection interview to be considered for present and future vacancies.
Based on the Department's needs, the selection procedures listed above may be modified. All candidates will be notified of any changes in the selection procedure.

Veterans Employment Preference

The County is committed to providing a mechanism to give preferential consideration in the employment process to veterans and their eligible spouses and will provide eligible participants the opportunity to receive interviews in the selection process for employment and paid internship openings.

REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION

The County of Orange is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities. Individuals who require a reasonable accommodation during the application or selection process should notify the recruiter listed on the job posting as soon as possible. Documentation supporting the accommodation request may be required.

EMAIL NOTIFICATION

Email is the primary form of notification during the recruitment process. Please ensure your correct email address is included in our application and use only one email account.NOTE: User accounts are established for one person only and should not be shared with another person. Multiple applications with multiple users may jeopardize your status in the recruitment process for any positions for which you apply. Candidates will be notified regarding their status as the recruitment proceeds via email through the GovernmentJobs.com site. Please check your email folders, including spam/junk folders, and/or accept emails ending with "governmentjobs.com" and "ocgov.com." If your email address should change, please update your profile at www.governmentjobs.com.

Orange County, as an equal employment opportunity employer, encourages applicants from diverse backgrounds to apply.

For specific information pertaining to this recruitment, please contact Michelle Kozai at [e-mail] or [phone].