Procurement Specialist

Procurement Specialist IThe City of Stockton is seeking to fill a vacant Procurement Specialist I position in Administrative Services Department. The ideal candidate should possess excellent communication and customer service skills, be able to explain clearly, both verbally and in writing, purchasing policies and procedures, possess purchasing operations experience and attention to detail, and be competent with current business technologies. Under general supervision, procures and expedites a variety of materials, supplies, services, and equipment for use by all City departments; prepares, reviews, and approves contracts; attends and hosts outreach events; reviews and approves new vendor profiles; assists new vendors with registration; performs related work as assigned. The incumbent in this position will work a City of Stockton 9/80 schedule: 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays; 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Fridays, with alternating Fridays off. Incumbents in this position are included in the Civil Service system, in a "for-cause" employment status, and are represented by the Stockton City Employees' Association. This recruitment is being conducted as an Open/Promotional recruitment. Current full-time City of Stockton employees may apply for this position as a promotional opportunity and successful candidates will be placed on a promotional list. All other candidates may apply for this position as an open competitive opportunity and successful candidates will be placed on an open list. The appointing authority will have the option of requesting names from the promotional list, the open list, or a combination of both. These lists may be used to fill future vacancies. Prior to appointment, eligible candidates will be required to submit to and successfully pass a background investigation, which will include fingerprinting.Procurement Specialist I is the entry-level class in this professional procurement series. Initially under close supervision, incumbents perform the more routine purchasing and expediting duties while learning City policies and procedures and the various commodities and suppliers. As experience is gained, duties become more diversified and are performed under more general supervision.Principal duties include analyzing requisitions to verify completeness and accuracy and to determine the type of materials, supplies or equipment required; obtaining verbal or written price quotations or preparing formal specifications and bid packages; interviewing salespersons, visiting manufacturers and suppliers, attending demonstrations, and obtaining samples and literature from potential suppliers; placing orders and negotiating with suppliers as required; ensuring the City contractors carry proper insurance limits and proper endorsements as required by contract provisions; coordinating vehicle licensing activities for City vehicles; assisting with the auction and disposal of surplus equipment, materials and supplies; maintaining records and preparing reports, including supplier performance and MBE/WBE files; monitoring developments in the procurement field and recommending improvements to policies and procedures; performing related duties as assigned.Education/Experience: Possession of a Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in business, accounting, finance, supply chain management, or public administration, or a closely related field. Experience in stores and inventory control, accounts payable, procurement support or other work which will have provided the knowledge and skills outlined above may be substituted for the education on a year-for-year basis to a maximum of two years. Other Requirements: Must possess a valid California Class "C" driver's license. Desirable professional certifications include: Certified Public Procurement Buyer (CPPB).Knowledge of public principles and practices, including competitive bidding procedures in a public agency setting; applicable federal, state and local laws and regulations; standard price and procurement and sourcing for reference sources for materials, equipment, supplies and services; principles of business administration and economics as applied to the procurement function; standard office practices and procedures; basic supervisory principles and practices; store keeping and materials management principles and practices; principles and techniques of preparing RFI, RFQ, RFP packages and analyzing formal proposals and bids; modern office methods, practices, procedures, and use of equipment; and application software related to procurement.Skill in proactively building productive business relationships with assigned City of Stockton department staff; analyzing and relating requisitions to current and future needs of operating departments; analyzing historical expenditures by type and supplier to determine sourcing and leveraging opportunities; reading and interpreting procurement requests, plans, drawings and technical specifications; drafting of commercial contracts elements utilizing template agreements approved by the City of Stockton legal staff; buying effectively with regard to quantity, quality and price; making accurate arithmetic calculations; maintaining accurate records and files; maintaining high ethical behavior in regards to City of Stockton and procurement profession standards; preparing clear, accurate, and concise reports, specifications, requests for approval, correspondence and other written materials; translating user requirements into appropriate specifications; organizing work, setting priorities and making sound independent decisions; assigning, directing, reviewing, and evaluating the work of others; training others in work procedures; analyzing technical or complex procurement problems and reaching sound, independent conclusions; establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of the work; and using computers, computer applications, and related computer software.Physical Mental/Abilities: Mobility – Constant sitting for long periods of time while operating a keyboard; occasional walking, bending, stooping, kneeling, reaching, pushing and pulling; Lifting - Occasional lifting and carrying of 25 pounds or less; Vision - Constant use of overall visual capabilities; frequent need for use of color perception, hand/eye coordination, reading and/or close up work; Dexterity - Constant holding, typing, repetitive motion and writing; occasional grasping, pushing, pulling, and reaching; Hearing/Talking - Constant hearing and talking of normal speech in person and on the telephone; ability to detect specific noises and proper equipment operation; Special Requirements – Frequent driving, occasionally requires weekend or evening work; Emotional/Psychological - Constant concentration, decision making and public contact; occasional ability to exercise sound judgment, handle stressful situations; and ability to work alone; Environmental Conditions - Occasional exposure to noise, outdoor conditions, indoor cold/heat, and working around equipment and machinery; walking on uneven ground; and Working Conditions - Primarily performed in an office environment which is primarily quiet, may perform work out of doors.