Buyer

TARGET CLOSE DATE:

06/23/2025

PAY GRADE:

Grade 19

TYPE:

Full time

JOB SUMMARY:

Buyers working in the Merit System purchase materials, supplies, equipment, and services for a large municipality, county, or agency. They review requisitions, prepare invitations to bid, analyze bids, and verify purchase orders in accordance with applicable state and local guidelines. Employees in this job class also approve invoice payments to vendors and assist in preparing the department budget by compiling information. In addition, Buyers perform administrative duties to support the buying process such as communicating with vendors and maintaining documentation and records, and other duties as required. Their work does not involve the supervision of others and is reviewed against professional standards and guidelines.

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS:

Agencies provide competitive pay and comprehensive benefits packages to include medical and dental insurance, employer-sponsored retirement plan (pension), generous paid holidays, sick and vacation leave, and more.

Applications for this position will be considered for the following Merit System employing agencies. The pay range for this job varies depending upon the Merit System employing agency.

Bessemer: $41,246 - $64,001
Birmingham: $42,556 - $65,998
Jefferson County: $46,363 - $71,905

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

The following are job-related qualifications that are required for employment consideration for this position:

• Work experience performing one or more of the following duties; analyzing and processing requisitions, managing bids (e.g., contract period, price fluctuation, bid preparation), and/or purchasing goods and services.

• Work experience using basic math skills such as adding, subtracting, multiplying, dividing, calculating averages, and calculating percentages.

• Work experience using computer programs and software (e.g., Microsoft Word or similar word processing software, Microsoft Excel or similar spreadsheet software, Adobe, PowerPoint, Outlook) and basic office equipment (e.g., calculator, fax, copier, multi-line phone).

• Experience communicating with internal and/or external customers via telephone, email, and/or in person.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

The following are job-related qualifications deemed desirable by Merit System agencies. These qualifications may be considered by a hiring agency when reviewing applications and inviting candidates to participate in subsequent steps in the selection processes.

• Certified as a Buyer (e.g., CPPB).

TYPICAL JOB DUTIES:

• Performs administrative duties including maintaining records, producing documentation and responding to inquiries about purchasing policies and procedures in order to complete daily tasks.

• Purchases materials, supplies, equipment, and professional services by preparing product specifications and processing requests for a wide range of products and commodities via quotes, bids and contracts.

• Receives and analyzes bid proposals from vendors, identifies responsive bidders, communicates with vendors and user departments about specifications of bid and awards contract to appropriate vendors.

• Researches information on potential bidders, product costs, and vendors in order to obtain needed items and/or services from the most appropriate and responsible vendor.

• Reviews invoices to ensure accurate pricing, quantity and items that have been received, resolve discrepancies, and forward invoices to end users and Accounts Payable.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

Job is primarily sedentary involving sitting for long periods of time, but may involve occasional walking or standing for brief periods.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

Work is conducted almost exclusively indoors in an office setting. Work involves use of standard office equipment, such as computer, phone, copier, etc.

EEO STATEMENT:

The Personnel Board of Jefferson County provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment with the Personnel Board of Jefferson County, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.  Each Merit System member city/agency operate its own equal employment opportunity policies available on the individual city/agency website.

ACCOMMODATION:

NOTE:

This job posting may close before, or be extended beyond, the listed Target Close Date based on the employment needs of the Merit System. More detail regarding this job is available by clicking Apply.

DISCLAIMER:

This job posting is not meant to be an all-inclusive list of the job duties, responsibilities, or skills and abilities required to do the job and may be changed at the discretion of the Personnel Board at any time.