Assistant Purchasing Agent

Make An Impact Behind The Scenes

Are you detail-oriented and enjoy strategy, negotiation, and collaboration? Join our team and help ensure City/County departments receive the materials they need—efficiently, cost-effectively, and with quality in mind.

What You'll Do

In this role, you'll support the Purchasing Agent by performing a variety of complex purchasing functions. Responsibilities include preparing and reviewing specifications, evaluating vendor bids, conducting product research and value analysis, and coordinating with departments and vendors. You'll also monitor purchase orders, resolve delivery issues, and may supervise clerical staff.

Key Responsibilities

• Procure services, supplies, materials, and equipment meeting quality and cost standards
• Review requisitions for accuracy and compliance
• Prepare and evaluate specifications
• Analyze bids and recommend awards
• Conduct market research and value analysis
• Coordinate with departments and vendors
• Track orders and expedite deliveries
• Resolve shipment issues and claims
• Support contracts and incidental purchases
• May supervise clerical staff

What You Bring

Strong analytical, communication, and organizational skills, along with:

• Knowledge of governmental procurement and purchasing practices
• Experience with bid analysis and specification development
• Basic understanding of accounting principles
• Ability to build effective working relationships
• Strong written and verbal communication skills

Why Join Us?

• Meaningful work serving your community
• Supportive, collaborative team
• Opportunities for growth
• Competitive pay and benefits

Minimum Qualifications/Necessary Special Requirements

Graduation from a four-year college or university with major coursework in business administration, public administration, accounting, or related field and some experience as a buyer; or any equivalent combination of training and experience that would provide the desirable knowledge, abilities, and skills.

Benefits

We value each City of Lincoln employee and one way we demonstrate this is by providing an attractive and competitive total compensation package that adds value to our employees' professional and personal lives. The following benefits are available for this position:

• Pay increases are available upon completion of the 6-month new employee probationary period, and annually thereafter based on performance.
• We encourage a healthy work-life balance by offering 11 days of vacation leave and 12 days of sick leave annually that you begin accruing upon hire; plus 11 paid holidays and 2 personal convenience days.
• All medical, dental, and vision benefits for you and your family begin the first of the month following hire, no need to wait!
• 30 days of Paid Parental Leave
• Employee Assistance Programs offering work/life services, wellness coaching, short-term counseling, legal assistance, and financial coaching.
• Up to 4 days of Funeral and Bereavement Leave
• $70,000 of Life Insurance
• $1,250 of Tuition Reimbursement
• 401(a) Retirement Plan. If you make a 7% contribution, the City will contribute 9%
• Employer provided Post Employment Health Plan for eligible medical expenses that occur after you leave City employment.
• Optional benefits include:
• Medical and/or Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts
• Allstate Voluntary Plans
• Supplemental Term Life
• Deferred Compensation Plans