City and County of San Francisco

Under direction, purchases a wide variety of standardized or specialized materials, equipment and services; analyzes and develops product specifications; achieves considerable economies in the efficient purchase of large quantities of materials, supplies and equipment; makes frequent personal contact with user departments and vendors; and performs related duties as required.

Positions in this class are distinguished form 1950 Assistant Purchaser in that incumbents perform at full journey level in the exercise of duties and responsibilities defined by the scope of purchasing assignments, by the level of contacts with vendors and user departments, and by the level of product and industry knowledge. While Purchaser may assist in the training of Assistant Purchasers, they are distinguished from higher levels in the series in that they are assigned no supervisory responsibilities.

According to Civil Service Commission Rule 109, the duties specified below are representative of the range of duties assigned to this job code/class and are not intended to be an inclusive list.

1. Receives requisitions to be processed into purchase orders; analyzes requisitions in order to determine type of purchase, possible vendors, specifications or other factors; checks requisitions for completeness and correctness; confers with the user departments regarding specification requirements.

2. Edits product specifications submitted and prepares new specifications when required; establishes contractual conditions; determines type of purchase or bid forms to be used; lists suitable vendors; directs the preparation, distribution and advertisement or proposals for bids.

3. Analyzes bids received from vendors; evaluates prices, discounts, delivery conditions and products offered in order to insure proper quality and advantageous price; determines successful bidder and makes recommendations relative to the awarding of contracts; may assist in expediting the delivery of urgently needed purchases or may otherwise act in a liaison capacity.

4. Consults with officers and employees of various departments in order to better determine their needs, advise them on new product developments and adjust complaints on vendor compliance; consults with vendors and their representatives in order to acquaint them with methods and procedures and the rules and regulations of the purchasing department and obtain information on their products and services.

5. Attempts to combine purchases from separate departments in order to secure quantity discounts when possible; maintains current and complete lists of vendors and files of information on their products based on previous purchases, and maintains information on various other sources; supervises and assigns work to a small clerical staff.

6. May be assigned to a specific service, equipment or material commodity group, requiring the development of highly specialized technical knowledge, such as petroleum products or computer hardware.

7. May assist in the training of Assistant Purchasers.

Knowledge of: Principles, methods and procedures employed in the purchase of large quantities or a wide variety of materials, supplies and equipment and their characteristics, sources activities of the purchasing department.

Ability and Skill to: Prepare product specifications and purchase contracts; analyze bid proposals and recommend awards; prepare correspondence; assign work to a clerical staff and train Assistant Purchasers.

These minimum qualifications establish the education, training, experience, special skills and/or license(s) which are required for employment in the classification.  Please note, additional qualifications (i.e., special conditions) may apply to a particular position and will be stated on the exam/job announcement.

Education:
Baccalaureate degree from an accredited university or college.

Experience:
One (1) year of professional purchasing experience with responsibilities such as: identifying vendors and ascertaining quotes, selecting a vendor based on a set of criteria, identifying and negotiating terms and conditions and procuring goods and services.

Substitution:
Additional experience as described above may be substituted for the required degree on a year-for-year basis (up to a maximum of two (2) years). Thirty (30) semester units/forty-five (45) quarter units equal one (1) year.

All City and County of San Francisco employees are designated Disaster Service Workers through state and local law (California Government Code Section 3100-3109). Employment with the City requires the affirmation of a loyalty oath to this effect. Employees are required to complete all Disaster Service Worker-related training as assigned, and to return to work as ordered in the event of an emergency.