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The Procurement Division of the County Executive’s Office is seeking well-qualified candidates for the position of Buyer II. Under general supervision, a Buyer II provides a full range of detailed and complex procurement services for all county departments.

 

Examples of Duties:
Duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Receive, review, and check purchase requisitions to determine needs of departments, market conditions, and product availability. 
• Consult and assist departments with product selection and procurement methods.
• Invite and accept bids, and evaluate prices, discounts, and delivery conditions. 
• Assist departments in the preparation of product specifications and contracts. 
• Analyze bids for conformance to specifications and award bids. 
• Interview with sales and manufacturers' representatives about products and services. 
• Investigate complaints and problems and make recommendations for solutions and/or adjustments. 
• Serve on various project teams and committees as required. 
• Prepare reports, recommendations, and correspondence. 
• Provide technical assistance to departments on the County's automated purchasing system. 
• Instruct departments on County procurement procedures and policies. 
• Perform related duties and special projects as assigned.

The ability to provide excellent customer service, engage in active listening to understand customer needs, and connect quickly with County personnel are critical to success in this position.

There are several other competencies, including technical, interpersonal, analytical, and organizational, which will be important for success in this role.

Procurement Expertise – In-depth knowledge of large-scale procurement practices and public agency procurement principles and familiarity with federal and state laws and regulations affecting procurement.

Commodity Knowledge – Understanding of commodity sources, marketing practices, and pricing strategies and experience with both formal and informal bidding processes.

Contract Management – Ability to develop and analyze product specifications, bids, and contracts.

Technical Proficiency – Skilled in the use of procurement-related computer programs and analytical tools.

Analytical Skills – Proficient in analyzing purchase requisitions and evaluating complex specifications and proposals.

Problem Solving – Ability to identify and resolve procurement issues swiftly and effectively.

Negotiation Skills – Capability to invite and evaluate bids and negotiate prices and terms with vendors.

Effective Communication – Strong oral and written communication skills for interacting with clients, vendors, and stakeholders, including the ability to write clear, concise reports and correspondence.

Relationship Management – Skilled in establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with various stakeholders, including both internal customers and external vendors.  

Instruction and Guidance – Aptitude for providing technical assistance and instructing departments on procurement procedures.

Project Management – Ability to manage projects and contribute to various committees and project teams.

Adaptability – Works effectively in a fast-paced environment, managing multiple priorities.

Qualifications:

Any combination of experiences that would likely provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities is qualifying.  

• A typical way to qualify at the Buyer II level might be three years of experience that would demonstrate knowledge and command of complex commodity areas, and the principles, policies, and procedures of public agency procurement.

 
Knowledge of:

• Principles, practices, procedures, and applications of large-scale procurement. 
• Laws and regulations governing procurement policies and procedures in public agencies. 
• Procedures and requirements of governmental procurement. 
• Commodity sources of supply, trade, brand names, publications, and source material in the field of procurement.
• Procedures and practices of procurement using formal and informal bidding. 
• Sources of supply, marketing practices, and pricing methods and differentials. 
• Computer programs related to procurement and word processing.

 
Skill/Ability to:

• Analyze purchase requisitions and evaluate specifications, proposals, bids, and contracts for complex commodity areas and purchases. 
• Develop product specifications, bids, and contracts. 
• Solve problems efficiently. 
• Perform the necessary research and make informed decisions using all available information and resources. 
• Work in a fast-paced environment. 
• Communicate effectively both orally and in writing. 
• Write clear, concise reports and correspondence. 
• Establish and maintain effective work relationships with customers, vendors, and procurement team members.
• Ensure procurements are conducted in compliance of County procedures and policies. 

Application/Examination:

Open & Promotional. Anyone may apply.  Current County of San Mateo and County of San Mateo Superior Court of California employees with at least six months (1040 hours) of continuous service in a classified regular, probationary, extra-help/limited term positions prior to the final filing date will receive five points added to their final passing score on this examination. 

Responses to the supplemental questions must be submitted in addition to our regular employment application form. A resume will not be accepted as a substitute for the required employment application and supplemental questionnaire.  
   

The examination process will consist of an application screening (weight: pass/fail) based on the candidates' application and responses to the supplemental questions. Candidates who pass the application screening will be invited to a panel interview (weight: 100%) which may include a performance exam. Depending on the number of applicants, an application appraisal of education and experience may be used in place of other examinations or further evaluation of work experience may be conducted to group applicants by level of qualification. All applicants who meet the minimum qualifications are not guaranteed advancement through any subsequent phase of the examination. All examinations will be given in County of San Mateo, California and applicants must participate at their own expense.  

IMPORTANT: Applications for this position will only be accepted online. If you are currently on the County's website, you may click the "Apply" button. If you are not on the County's website, please go to https://jobs.smcgov.org/ to apply. Responses to the supplemental questions must be submitted in addition to our regular employment application form. A resume will not be accepted as a substitute for the required employment application and supplemental questionnaire. 

Tentative Recruitment Schedule
Deadline for Applications:  January 9, 2026, at 11:59 PM
Application Screening:  January 14, 2026
Combined Panel and Departmental Interview:  January 27, 2026