Buyer

Buyer Position

This Buyer position handles the various purchasing activities of professional services for the City of Minneapolis including but not limited to overseeing the Request for Proposals process from start to finish and monitoring the life of a contract.

Work location:

This position may be eligible for flexible work arrangements, including hybrid work with some days working remotely and some days working in the office.

The City of Minneapolis does not sponsor applicants for work visas.

Job Duties and Responsibilities

1. Evaluate the needs of departments, review scope of services, and guide the staff in writing the scope of services.
2. Ensure that products and services are procured at the best value to the City, work with departments to determine who should be awarded the contracts and ensure that product/service offered meets scope of services and terms of contracts are met.
3. Work with Suppliers on product research and market analysis.
4. Practice correct government fund accounting principles and procedures.
5. Apply the correct statutes, City ordinances (including but not limited to the Target Market Program (TMP) and environmental protection), tax letters, court rulings and administrative rules that affect the purchasing process.
6. Train City staff in purchasing procedures, needs analysis and contract compliance by conducting training sessions, holding meetings and answering questions regarding purchasing procedures.
7. Ensure that all contract compliance requirements are being followed which includes prevailing wage, environmental protection, target market program, Small and Underutilized Businesses Program (SUBP), Affirmative Action Plan and Equal Employment Opportunity laws in the bidding and contract award process.
8. Resolve disputes between suppliers and departments that may arise with respect to quality of services received, timeliness of delivery, etc.
9. Maintain accurate records and files on every contract, including documenting conversations, negotiations regarding RFP, etc.
10. Evaluate supplier performance based on prices, service deliveries and information received from customer departments relative to supplier services.
11. Manage the processing of purchase requisitions, purchase orders and contracts within the City enterprise procurement systems.
12. Guide other City departments in the use of the enterprise procurement system to effectively and efficiently utilize system capabilities.
13. Perform other duties and special projects when assigned.

Required Qualifications

Minimum Education: Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration, a highly related field or equivalent.

Minimum Experience: Two years of professional public buying experience or five years professional private sector buying experience.

Equivalency: An equivalent combination of education and experience closely related to the duties of the position MAY be considered.

Selection Process: The selection process will consist of one or more of the following steps: a rating of relevant education and experience (100%). It is important that your application show all the relevant education and experience you possess. This information will be used to determine which candidates will proceed in the selection process. A submitted application is also used to verify the answers to any supplemental questions. Only those candidates who attain a passing score (70%) on each step in the selection process will be placed on the eligible list. The City of Minneapolis Human Resources Department reserves the right to limit the number in any phase of the selection process.

Background Check: The City has determined that a criminal background check and/or qualifications check may be necessary for certain positions with this job title. Applicants may be required to sign an informed consent form allowing the City to obtain their criminal history and/or verify their qualifications in connection with the position sought. Applicants who do not sign the informed consent form will not be further considered for the position.

Union Representation: This position is represented by a collective bargaining agreement between the City of Minneapolis and the AFSCME Union. For more information on the terms and conditions of this agreement please visit: AFSCME General Unit - City of Minneapolis

Eligible List Statement: The names of applicants who meet minimum qualification and who pass the screening process shall be placed on the eligible list for employment consideration. This list will be certified to the hiring manager who may use the list to fill a vacancy of the same job title. This eligible list will expire 1 (one) month after it has been established.

Interview Selection The hiring authority reserves the right to determine the maximum number of candidates to interview from the established eligible list. If the hiring authority decides to interview other than by exam score order, they may select additional people to interview based on a candidate's education or experience related to the field, work history, or skills uniquely related to the operational needs of the position.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

1. Highly desired CPSM (Certified Professional in Supply Management) certification through the Institute for Supply Management (ISM) or CPPB or (Certified Public Professional Buyer) Certification.
2. Knowledge of purchasing laws, statutes, ordinances, policies and procedures, disposal laws, accounting principals, and environmental laws, as they apply to purchasing in the City of Minneapolis.
3. Experience with an integrated financial system (PeopleSoft preferred).
4. Good verbal and written communications skills.
5. Proficient working with computer software including Microsoft Office and Acrobat.

As the largest and most vibrant city in the state, Minneapolis depends on purposeful, dedicated and innovative employees. Minneapolis has a large variety of careers for people of all experiences and backgrounds who come together for a singular purpose—serving the residents, businesses and visitors of Minneapolis.

The City of Minneapolis is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity employer.