Location
Description
Position Highlights:
- Join a talented team in a fast-paced and dynamic work environment
- Work collaboratively with departments across the City
- Flexible work environment and schedules (9/80 schedule)
The City of Thousand Oaks is seeking a Senior Purchasing Specialist to join our team!
We are seeking an enthusiastic, service-oriented team player who thrives in a busy, fast-paced environment. As part of the Finance Department’s Purchasing Team, the Senior Purchasing Specialist will perform a variety of functions in supporting the City’s purchasing policies and processes.
Primary responsibilities:- Receives, examines, analyzes, and processes purchase requisitions and purchase orders according to City and department policies and procedures; ensures that information is correct and documentation is complete; corrects errors as necessary
- Reviews formal solicitations such as bids and requests for proposals/qualifications (RFP/Q) and posts formal solicitations on City’s procurement portal
- Reviews and facilitates informal solicitations for departments
- Trains City staff on purchasing policies and processes
- Oversees the maintenance of solicitation records, commodity/sub-commodity lists, and other purchasing and inventory files
- Negotiates, manages, and monitors Citywide contracts
- Oversees the maintenance and validation of vendor account information
- Oversees the City’s purchasing card (Cal-Card) program
- Oversees the City’s centralized cellphone and smart device program
- Oversees the transfer of disposal of surplus property
- Resolves inquiries and concerns from employees, vendors, and the public
- Generates a variety of financial reports for Accounting and Budget staff
Ideal Candidate
The ideal candidate should possess:
- A minimum of three years of progressively responsible experience purchasing supplies, materials, parts, services and equipment
- College-level coursework (at least 15 semester units) in business administration, public administration, accounting, or related field
- Excellent customer service, communication, and interpersonal skills
- Knowledge of financial software systems and electronic procurement systems (such as CentralSquare Naviline and OpenGov Procurement)
- Knowledge of the practices and methods of public agency purchasing, including competitive bidding procedures following City, State, and Federal guidelines
- Demonstrated ability to effectively solve problems; ability to think creatively and independently
- Certifications/training in public procurement workshops and courses
- Experience in conducting market research and data analysis
- Detail-oriented and excellent organizational and multi-tasking skills
- Ability to interpret, explain, and enforce departmental policies and procedures
- Ability to interpret, explain, and analyze contract and solicitation documents
- Ability to maintain discretion and keep information confidential
- Ability to communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing
- Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work
- Ability to embrace change and aptitude for identifying and developing process improvement procedures
- Ability to interact collaboratively with all levels of the organization
- A valid Class C California driver’s license
CORE COMPETENCIES:
- Team Builder
- Results Oriented
- Customer-Focused
- Accountable
- Technically Knowledgeable
Benefits
The City of Thousand Oaks offers excellent benefits including:
Medical, Dental, Vision, Pension Retirement Plan, 401(a), Retirement Health Savings Plan, Tuition Reimbursement and more. Click here for more information.
Special Instructions
FILING DEADLINE: First review of candidates: Wednesday, September 10, 2025.
Applications and supplemental questions will be reviewed on an on-going basis and candidates are encouraged to apply by Wednesday, September 10, 2025. Please note, the recruitment may close without notice at any time after the first review date.
SUPPLEMENTAL QUESTIONNAIRE - Applicants are required to complete the Supplemental Questionnaire. This will be used throughout the process to assist in determining each applicant's qualifications for the position.
REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION - The City of Thousand Oaks makes reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities to participate in the selection process. If you wish to request an accommodation in order to participate in the selection process, you must inform the Human Resources Department in writing no later than the final filing date. Applicants requesting an accommodation should document the request including the type and extent of accommodations requested to participate in the selection process and/or perform the duties of the job for which applied.
VETERAN'S PREFERENCE - In order to qualify for Veteran’s Preference a Form DD214, or other acceptable proof of service, must be submitted by the deadline date/time noted in the job announcement. Any veteran who has successfully completed all phases of a selection process for employment with the City shall be granted a final interview regardless of his or her ranking on the eligibility list, providing he/she meets the criteria for an eligible veteran.
The provisions of this bulletin do not constitute a contract, expressed or implied, and any provisions contained in this bulletin may be modified or revoked without notice.