Buyer I

Buyer I

This role requires candidates who are currently authorized to work in the U.S. without sponsorship, and C2C arrangements are not accepted. This role is hybrid in Los Angeles, CA.

Position Overview

We are seeking an experienced Buyer I to join a fast-paced, team-oriented procurement department. The Buyer will be responsible for purchasing materials, supplies, equipment, and services while ensuring compliance with established purchasing policies, procedures, specifications, and contractual requirements.

This role requires strong organizational, negotiation, communication, and problem-solving skills. The ideal candidate is detail-oriented, flexible, personable, and able to manage multiple priorities under tight deadlines.

Key Responsibilities

• Process purchases of materials, supplies, equipment, nonprofessional services, and minor construction or public works services.
• Draft, issue, and administer purchase orders, blanket purchase agreements, master agreements, and other procurement contracts.
• Review specifications, scopes of work, requisitions, and supporting documents for accuracy and completeness.
• Contact suppliers to obtain pricing, availability, delivery information, and applicable terms and conditions.
• Negotiate pricing, delivery schedules, payment terms, and contractual conditions.
• Source materials, supplies, and equipment needed for operational requirements and warehouse inventory replenishment.
• Review purchase order reports and expected receipt dates to ensure timely delivery.
• Communicate with suppliers regarding past-due orders, back orders, delivery delays, and other exceptions.
• Provide internal departments with accurate updates regarding order status, revised delivery dates, and product availability.
• Expedite critical orders and coordinate solutions to resolve delivery or supply issues.
• Investigate and correct purchasing, receiving, contract, and invoicing discrepancies.
• Enter, update, maintain, and report purchasing information within automated procurement and financial systems.
• Analyze bid and solicitation documents for accuracy, clarity, responsiveness, and completeness.
• Create and maintain procurement, bid, contract, and purchase order records in accordance with audit and record-retention requirements.
• Verify that contract documentation is complete, accurate, and properly authorized.
• Maintain organized purchasing files and supporting documentation.
• Collaborate with internal departments, vendors, warehouse personnel, accounts payable, and other stakeholders.
• Perform other related purchasing and procurement duties as assigned.

Education and Experience

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in business administration, supply chain management, procurement, finance, public administration, or a related field.
• Minimum of two years of relevant purchasing, procurement, sourcing, contracting, or supply chain experience.
• Experience in public-sector purchasing or a highly regulated procurement environment is preferred.

Required Knowledge

• Purchasing and procurement policies, procedures, and best practices.
• Public-sector purchasing requirements and competitive procurement processes.
• Purchase orders, blanket agreements, master contracts, and service agreements.
• Basic contract administration and negotiation practices.
• Supplier sourcing, bid evaluation, and inventory replenishment.
• Procurement documentation, recordkeeping, and audit-compliance requirements.
• Current office technology, procurement platforms, and financial systems.

Required Skills and Abilities

• Negotiate pricing, terms, conditions, and delivery requirements.
• Prepare and administer accurate purchase orders and contract documents.
• Monitor orders, expedite deliveries, and resolve procurement exceptions.
• Research purchasing and invoicing discrepancies and determine appropriate resolutions.
• Review specifications, scopes of work, bids, and supporting documentation.
• Perform mathematical calculations and pricing comparisons accurately.
• Prioritize assignments and manage multiple projects in a fast-paced environment.
• Exercise sound judgment within established policies and guidelines.
• Maintain clear, accurate, and audit-ready records.
• Communicate clearly and professionally, both verbally and in writing.
• Establish effective working relationships with suppliers, internal customers, and team members.
• Work independently while contributing effectively in a collaborative team environment.
• Use word-processing, spreadsheet, financial, and automated procurement applications.
• Handle pressure, changing priorities, and time-sensitive purchasing requirements.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience procuring materials, supplies, equipment, services, or public works projects.
• Experience drafting and administering purchase orders, blanket agreements, and master contracts.
• Experience with supplier negotiations and competitive bidding processes.
• Experience using an enterprise resource planning, financial, or automated procurement system.
• Strong attention to detail, organization, written communication, and customer-service skills.