Purchasing Agent

Job Description:

Purchasing Agent

Description

Description

First review of applications will be completed on January 17 2026, at 5:00 p.m. Applications received after January 17, 2026, may not be considered.

Under general supervision, plans, manages, coordinates and facilitates the City's centralized purchasing program for material, equipment, supplies and services.

Essential Job Functions

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS: Essential functions, as defined under the Americans with Disabilities Act, may include the following duties and responsibilities, knowledge, skills and other characteristics. This list of duties and responsibilities is ILLUSTRATIVE ONLY and is not a comprehensive listing of all functions and tasks performed by positions in this class.

Characteristic Duties and Responsibilities:

Positions in this classification typically perform a full range of duties at a level of complexity represented by the following types of responsibilities:

• Plans, organizes, and directs purchasing activities; controls purchase orders and related documents for completeness, accuracy, and compliance with purchasing and budgetary policies and procedures; ensures effective inventory control and issuance of equipment and supplies; may administer assigned contracts.
  
• Develops and implements formal and informal bidding policies; develops bid documents and specifications for supplies, materials, equipment, and related services; evaluates bids against specifications and recommends or awards contracts or purchases in accordance with City code, laws and established policy.
  
• Interviews and negotiates with vendor representatives concerning the availability, price, and terms of purchase supplies and equipment; provides liaison between vendors and City departments as related to purchasing activities.
  
• Directs the transfer of City equipment and disposition of surplus property; maintains fixed asset and inventory records.
  
• Advises, and otherwise provides assistance to other City staff regarding purchasing activity; assists in developing departmental budgets for supplies and equipment on request; prepares and presents reports evaluating requirements for goods and services in relation to bid specifications; may recommend action on City contracts and agreements.
  
• Develops and implements purchasing and stores goals, objectives, policies, and procedures; maintains documentation of City purchasing procedures; prepares the purchasing and central stores budget requests.
  
• Prepares change orders, Council agenda items, and other documents concerning purchasing matters.
  

Qualifications

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND OTHER CHARACTERISTICS:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential function. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.

Knowledge of:

• Knowledge of the principles and practices of purchasing and inventory control for a governmental agency.
• Knowledge of record keeping methods related to the purchasing function.
• Knowledge of laws and regulations applicable to municipal bidding procedures and purchasing operations.
• Knowledge of sources and types of equipment and supplies used by a municipality.

Skill in:

• Skill performing purchasing, centralized stores, and inventory control activities and functions.
• Skill preparing and presenting reports.
• Skill interpreting and applying related codes, laws and policies.
• Skill in meeting the public in situations requiring diplomacy and tact.
• Skill communicating effectively both orally and in writing.
• Skill in the use of personal computers and office/purchasing software in a Windows-based operating environment.
• Skill establishing and maintaining cooperative working relationships.
• Skill in negotiating terms and conditions, pricing and scheduling.

QUALIFICATIONS:

A combination of experience and training that would likely provide the required knowledge, skills and abilities may be qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be:

Experience: Four (4) years increasingly responsible experience of professional purchasing experience.

Education: Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with major coursework in public or business administration, or related field; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

License/Certificates: Possession of or ability to obtain a Class C California driver's license, and a satisfactory driving record. Occupational certificate of achievement from an accredited college or university.

Working Conditions: Typical office environment and exposure to environmental conditions presented at various City locations.

Supplemental Information

Disaster Service Worker: In accordance with Government Code Section 3100, City of El Segundo employees, in the event of a disaster, are considered disaster service workers and may be asked to respond accordingly.

The City of El Segundo is an Equal Opportunity Employer, committed to supporting Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion initiatives to build and sustain an environment that values diversity, welcomes opportunities to engage and understand others, and fosters a sense of belonging.

SUPERVISORY AND PROFESSIONAL EMPLOYEES ASSOCIATION (S&P)
Benefits Summary
Effective 10/1/2018 - 04/24/2023

Retirement:
Miscellaneous employees - PERS Tier I - 2%@55. PARS Supplemental Retirement Plan (.5@55) - members pay 100% of the PARS cost through payroll deduction. Plan closed to new bargaining unit members as of 10/1/12. PERS Tier II-2%@60 for individuals employed by the City on or after 12/30/12 who are already PERS members. Tier I and II members pay 8% of pensionable income. Single highest year coordinated with Social Security and Medicare. PERS 2%@62 for new employees/members hired on or after 1/1/13. Three year average coordinated with Social Security and Medicare. Members pay 50% of normal cost (6.75%).

Medical Contribution: The City provides health plans through CalPERS. The City contributes the minimum monthly amount statutorily required by the Public Employees Medical and Hospital Care Act (PEMHCA). Effective January 1, 2025, the City contribution is $1,800 per month. Employees pay the balance of the medical premium through a pre-tax payroll deduction.

Retiree Medical - City offers paid retiree medical insurance at same rate as active employees.

Longevity Pay : Up to $449.38/month for 20 years of service.

Certification Pay : Up to $449.38/month with Department Head approval.

Bilingual Pay : Up to $224.69/month with Department Head approval.

Optical/Dental/Life and AD&D : City provides fully paid dental and optical insurance for the employee and all eligible dependents, up to $184.25 per month.

Flex Plan : Section 125 Plan, allows for payment of employee paid insurance, medical treatment, and dependent care expenses with pre-tax dollars.

Life Insurance : $50,000 term life policy provided by City; employee can purchase additional self and dependent coverage at group rates.

State Disability Insurance : Coverage provided through State Employment Development Department for short-term disability. Costs borne by union employees.

Long-Term Disability : City provides fully-paid LTD insurance. Continuance of 66 2/3% of first $9,750 of employee's salary. Applies to non-job related occurrences. 60-day waiting period.

Holidays : 12 fixed paid holidays; Additional 10 or 9 hours of personal leave/ floating holiday per year according to employee assigned schedule.

Vacation Leave : 96 hours (1-5 years); 120 hours (6-10 years); 144 hours (11-15 years): 176 hours (16+ years). Leave can be used after 6 months of service. Annual cash conversion option.

Sick Leave : 8 hours per month.

Bereavement Leave : Three (3) working days or 40 hours where travel is 500 miles or more] for qualifying incident.

Tuition Reimbursement : Up to $2,000/year for tuition and books.

Cell Phone Stipend : $80/month for employees who opt to use their own device in lieu of City-issued phone.

Uniform Allowance : $400/year for certain classes.

Other : Voluntary participation in Credit Union, Mission Square 457 Deferred Compensation Program.

Revised: 1/11; 11/11; 12/11; 12/12; 2/13; 1/14; 6/14; 1/16; 9/16; 1/17; 1/18; 12/19; 1/21; 8/22

Closing Date/Time: Continuous

Salary:

$8,954.90 - $10,884.73 Monthly