Buyer Jobs

Position Description
Are you looking for an opportunity to join the City of Tacoma's Finance Department? We are currently seeking a Buyer to join our team. As a Buyer, you will play a critical role in ensuring the timely and cost-effective procurement and contracting of materials, supplies, equipment, and services for the City of Tacoma, while adhering to applicable state laws, city ordinances, and department guidelines. You will have the chance to make a meaningful impact by performing routine purchasing functions and helping to keep our operations running smoothly.
If you are a detail-driven team player with purchasing experience and are looking for a fulfilling opportunity with the City, we encourage you to apply for this role!**
The Ideal Candidate Demonstrates The Following Qualities

• Customer Focus
• Positive Attitude
• Communication Skills
• Strategic and Innovative Mindset
• Teamwork / Collaboration Abilities
• Problem Solving Capabilities
• Professional Integrity
• Adaptability and a capacity to Learn

WHY WORK FOR THE CITY?
The City of Tacoma is nestled along the shores of Commencement Bay in Washington State and offers many community parks, miles of beautiful waterfront, hiking & biking trails, golf courses, museums, and a world-class zoo with an aquarium. Tacoma also serves as a gateway to some of the most magnificent natural wonders in the world, such as Puget Sound, Mount Rainier National Park, and the Olympic Peninsula.
The City of Tacoma provides excellent medical, dental and vision benefits for the whole family; paid holidays and personal time off; participation in Tacoma's Public Employees' Retirement System and a growing variety of City-sponsored health and wellness opportunities. For more information on the City of Tacoma's benefit package feel free to explore City of Tacoma Benefits.

• We encourage qualified candidates to apply for both our Buyer and Senior Buyer position, which is open through June 5, 2023.

Qualifications
An equivalent combination to:

• One year of relevant purchasing experience
• An Associate's degree with an emphasis in business, finance, accounting or related field AND

LICENSES, CERTIFICATES AND OTHER REQUIREMENTS

• Valid Washington State driver’s license at time of appointment with maintenance thereafter "or evidence of alternative mobility".

Knowledge & Skills
Knowledge Of

• Purchasing software programs and enterprise resource planning (ERP)
• Cost and price analysis
• Customer focused interpersonal communication
• Electronic record-keeping and storage
• Accounting concepts
• Applicable local, state and federal laws regarding public procurement
• Vendor sourcing, market conditions and price trends
• Solid written and verbal communications skills
• Procurement best practices, negotiations and techniques as related to municipal purchasing

Skills

• Effectively plan and organize work
• Intermediate-level skills using Microsoft Windows programs including Word, Excel and PowerPoint
• Numerical data and product specification evaluation
• Establish and maintain cooperative and effective working relationships with others
• Effective oral and written communications
• College-level math
• Conflict resolution

Selection Process & Supplemental Information
City of Tacoma Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion Tacoma's diversity is its greatest asset. Tacoma embraces its multi-cultural and multi-ethnic character. Communities of color and immigrant communities are fundamental to Tacoma's entrepreneurial spirit, workforce, and long-term success. In Tacoma, equity and empowerment are top priorities, meaning that all Tacoma residents must have equitable opportunities to reach their full potential and share in the benefits of community progress. One of our goals is for the City of Tacoma workforce to reflect the community it serves. We actively work to eliminate racial and other disparities and welcome candidates with diverse backgrounds and/or multicultural skill sets and experiences. Our goal is for Tacoma to be an inclusive and equitable place to live, work, and play.
The City of Tacoma is an Equal Opportunity Employer and values diversity in its workplace. Applicants are considered for positions without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, ancestry, age, marital or veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other basis prohibited by federal, state, and local laws.
To Be Considered For This Career Opportunity
Interested individuals should apply online and attach a resume and cover letter that includes major responsibilities and accomplishments related to this position. Please answer all supplemental questions fully. Applications received without all the requested materials may not progress in the selection process.
Examination Process
Applicants who meet the minimum qualifications will have their responses to supplemental question #5 reviewed and scored by a committee of subject matter experts, as the Experience and Training Test. It is the responsibility of the applicants to adequately describe all pertinent experience and training. Please make sure you read the questions and provide complete informative answers, including your roles in the position and key activities.
Candidates who are eligible for Veteran's Preference scoring criteria must attach a copy of their DD-214 member copy 4, (proof of military discharge form) at time of application , to be eligible for review for Veteran's percentage points.
Appointment is subject to passing a background check. This position is covered by a Labor Agreement between the City of Tacoma and Local 120. New employees must successfully complete a nine-month probationary period prior to obtaining permanent status in this classification.
The City of Tacoma believes that each employee makes a significant contribution to our success. This job description is designed to outline primary duties, qualifications and job scope. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to the position.
Communication From The City Of Tacoma
We primarily communicate via email during the application process. Emails from cityoftacoma.org and/or governmentjobs.com must be placed on your safe domain list to ensure that you receive notifications in a timely manner. As a precaution, you may also want to check your junk email folders.
The online application system requires you to enter a substantial amount of information. Be prepared to spend at least an hour entering information. In order for your application materials to be considered, all information must be submitted by the closing date and time listed on this job announcement.
For assistance with the NEOGOV application process, questions regarding this job announcement, or if you are experiencing complications while applying, please contact the Human Resources office at (253) 591.5400 by 4:00 pm of the closing date of the job announcement. This will allow us to assist you before the job announcement closes.
The City of Tacoma provides excellent medical, dental and vision plans for the whole family; paid holidays and paid leave; participation in the Tacoma Public Employees' Retirement System (alternate plan for Police/Fire); continuing education and advancement opportunities and a growing variety of City-sponsored health and wellness opportunities and incentives.
Medical Coverage: For eligible employees and their families, including domestic partners and dependent children age 26 or younger.
Dental Coverage: For eligible employees and their families, including domestic partners and dependent children age 26 or younger.
Vision Coverage: For eligible employees and their eligible dependents.
Paid Leave: City employees are entitled to received paid holidays, sick/vacation leave or personal time off (PTO), depending upon union affiliation and appointment type.
Insurance Plans: Employees are covered by a long-term disability plan. Short-term and expanded long-term disability insurance plans are also available to employees. The State Industrial Insurance Act also covers employees.
Deferred Compensation: Income can be set aside on a pretax basis and invested for supplementation of normal retirement income.
Retirement: All employees of the City, except members of the Police and Fire services, Tacoma Rail and certain project employees, are included in the Tacoma Employees' Retirement System. Information on the Tacoma Employees' Retirement System can be found at www.cityoftacoma.org or by calling (253) 502-8200.
Other Employment Information
Direct Deposit: Employees are paid on a bi-weekly schedule by direct deposit.
Salary Increases: Based on satisfactory job performance, the City provides for a regular progression of salary increases for most classifications according to the salary schedule.
Union Affiliation: Many job classifications are covered by union security provisions which require union membership, dues, or payment of equivalent service fees.
Note: The provisions of this job announcement do not constitute an expressed or implied contract. Any provision contained herein may be modified and/or revoked without notice.
Closing Date/Time: 6/12/2023 5:00 PM Pacific