Job Summary:

The Buyer III is a senior level position in which the incumbent will have full purchasing responsibility for the technology and software commodities and will work independently under general supervision of the Executive Director of Procurement and Contracts.  This individual is responsible for the acquisition of all goods, services, leases, and technology contracts on behalf of the California State University, San Bernardino.

Duties and responsibilities:

Procure IT-related services, software, hardware, and other products and equipment:

• Apply thorough knowledge of the principles, practices, and procedures of purchasing to analyze purchase requisitions and determine appropriate action.
• Perform source selection by conducting product and supplier research. Utilize CSU system-wide strategic procurements and other cooperative agreements.
• Conduct comprehensive cost/ price analysis
• Negotiate delivery, payment terms, pricing, and discounts with vendors.
• Champion opportunities to promote and utilize all business types such as small, disadvantaged, and disabled veteran owned businesses.
• Secure informal and formal quotes per State of California and CSU guidelines to ensure competitive pricing and compliance.
• Prepare and issue formal solicitations including, but not limited to Invitation for Bid (IFB), Request for Proposals (RFP), Request for Information (RFI), etc.
• Evaluate solicitation responses with a high degree of independence and recommend awards.
• Analyze highly complex requisitions and quotes for compliance with purchasing criteria.
• Award purchase and service orders to responsive and responsible suppliers.
• Process alteration requests for purchase orders and service orders.
• Interpret and implement policies and procedures mandated by CSU, state, and federal agencies.
• Become familiar with campus standards and maintain the standards when reviewing and processing orders.
• Coordinate with vendors to track deliveries and monitor their performance to ensure compliance with contract terms.
• Obtain and validate certificates of insurance from vendors when needed. 
• Promote sustainability in purchasing practices. 
• Possess thorough knowledge of purchasing principles and procurement policies, methods, and procedures, including the administration of formal competitive bid cycles in accordance with California State Statutes and Codes. Provide recommendations, as needed, to meet programmatic goals
• Demonstrate knowledge of competitive contract development procedures and practices including the writing of specifications and
• justifications to support them. Ability to gain thorough knowledge of a variety of CSU policies, practices, and formats for common contracts, service agreements and leases.
• Participate in continuous CSU Procurement training, collaborate to creatively develop and improve internal practices and procedures.

Support to Campus and Procurement Office

• Provide training and assistance to campus personnel on purchasing procedures while serving as the lead for lower-level purchasing and clerical staff.
• Assist campus personnel with questions or issues regarding procedures for creating or modifying a requisition.
• Participate in outreach events such as small or disabled veteran owned business fairs.
• Establish and maintain positive working relationships with campus personnel and suppliers.
• Provide prompt and accurate responses to internal and external customer questions and concerns. 
• Perform analytics on repetitive spend and yearly blanket purchase orders to identify patterns and requirements for bid or for need for an annual contracts.
• Prepare annual Recycled Content report

Work as part of CSUSB's Accessible Technology Initiative process

• Serve on campus-wide committee in order to procure accessible technology.
• Attend regular training and conference calls that are CSU System-wide.
• Ensure that information and communication technology products comply with Section 508 standards.
• Partner with Accessible Technology ITS Division to prepare annual ATI Procurement report.
• Other classification related duties as assigned

Minimum Qualifications:

Education:

• Equivalent to an undergraduate degree in purchasing, marketing, accounting, business, or other appropriate field. Additional experience which has demonstrated that the applicant has acquired and successfully applied the knowledge and abilities shown above may be substituted for the required education on a year-for-year basis.

Experience:

• Equivalent to three years of increasingly responsible purchasing experience of which two years must have involved major aspects of the purchasing function, i.e., high-technology and building and construction, utilizing competitive bidding or contract development, and including the writing of specifications and justifications to support them.

Required Qualifications:

• Thorough knowledge of the principles, practices, and procedures of purchasing, including administration of contracts and service agreements.
• Thorough knowledge of basic accounting principles as related to purchasing and contracts
• Comprehensive knowledge of formal competitive bid administration.
• Thorough knowledge of California State Statutes and Codes applicable to campus procurement as demonstrated by ability to use a computer.
• Ability to: administer all aspects of bid procedures according to laws and codes
• Monitor contracts and service agreements.
• Develop, interpret, and apply highly technical and varied material and equipment specifications requiring such activities as integration of performance schedules, learn and apply computer technology to the total purchasing process.
• Ability to: lead or review the work of others; act promptly to resolve actual or potential problems when required; develop long-range plans, including recommendations for policies and procedures affected by the plans; establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with vendors and with faculty, students, administrators, and members of the general public; read and write clearly in English.
• Working knowledge of functions such as receiving and property accounting as they relate to the purchasing process.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Procurement Certification such as CPP, CPPO, etc.
• Understanding of technology requirements and software as a service agreement
• The ability to effectively communicate to all levels of personnel
• Proficiency in contract management software, such as Contract Safe, Coupa, Contract Works or similar software.
• Familiarity with enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems, such as Peoplesoft or Oracle.
• Preferred experience in Procurement in the academic, public sector or higher education.
• Understanding of contract law, legal terminology, and compliance standards
• Negotiation skills with the ability to diplomatically resolve conflicts and achieve mutually beneficial outcomes.
• Attention to detail and organizational skills, with the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously and meet tight deadlines.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) or similar.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities, with a proactive approach to identifying and addressing potential issues.
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced environment, demonstrating flexibility and adaptability.

Physical Requirements:

• Reading and Comprehending, Writing, Communicating Orally, Reasoning and Analyzing

Compensation and Benefits:

Anticipated Hiring Range: $5,656 - $5,954 per month

Classification Hiring Range : $ 4,747 - 8,589.00 per month

Work Schedule: Academic Year: 8am - 5pm, Monday - Friday

Summer Work Schedule: 7am - 5:30pm, Monday - Thursday

The salary offered will take into account internal equity and experience among other factors.

 

Application Deadline : December 6, 2024

 

The CSU system provides a comprehensive benefit package that includes medical, dental and vision plans, membership in the California Public Employees Retirement System (CalPERS), sick and vacation time, and 15 paid holidays a y

ear. Eligible employees are also able to participate in the fee waiver education program. A summary of benefit information can be found here.

 

Position Information:

Full-time, Non-Exempt, Temporary

This position classification has been defined as non-exempt and is subjected to overtime provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).

First considerations will be given to candidates who apply by Tuesday, August 20, 2024, and will continue until the position is filled; however, the position may close when an adequate number of qualified applications are received

As of January 1, 2022, the CSU Out-of-State Employment Policy prohibits the hiring of employees to perform CSU-related work outside the state of California.

California State University, San Bernardino in not a sponsoring agency for staff or management positions (i.e. H1-B Visas).

 

Conditions of Employment

Background Check

Satisfactory completion of a background check (including a criminal records check) is required for employment.  CSU will make a conditional offer of employment, which may be rescinded if the background check reveals disqualifying information, and/or it is discovered that the candidate knowingly withheld or falsified information.  Failure to satisfactorily complete the background check may affect the continued employment of a current CSU employee who was conditionally offered the position.

I-9

CSUSB hires only individuals lawfully authorized to work in the United States. In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification form upon hire.  See Form I-9 Acceptable Documents at https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents.

Statement of Commitment to Diversity

In our commitment to the furthering of knowledge and fulfilling our educational mission, California State University, San Bernardino seeks a campus climate that welcomes, celebrates, and promotes respect for the entire variety of human experience. We welcome people from all backgrounds, and we seek to include knowledge and values from many cultures in the curriculum and extra-curricular life of the campus community. We will create, promote, and maintain activities and programs that further our understanding of individual and group diversity. We will also develop and communicate policies and promote values that discourage intolerance and discrimination.

California State University, San Bernardino is proud to be an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer. We recruit, hire, train, and administer all personnel actions without regard to race, ethnicity, religion, color, caste, national origin, ancestry, age, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, genetic information, medical condition, disability, marital status, protected military or veteran status, or any other status protected by applicable law. This position adheres to CSU policies against Sex Discrimination, Sexual Harassment, and Sexual Violence, including Domestic Violence, Dating Violence, and Stalking. This requires completion of Sexual Violence Prevention Training within 6 months of assuming employment and on a two-year basis thereafter. (Executive Order 1096) For more information about Diversity & Inclusion at CSUSB, please visit https://www.csusb.edu/human-resources/diversity-inclusion

Closing Statement:

Reasonable Accommodation

We provide reasonable accommodations to applicants and employees with disabilities. Applicants with questions about access or requiring a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process should contact CSUSB Benefits at benefits@csusb.edu.

Smoking

CSUSB is a smoke and tobacco-free campus.  See policy at  https://calstate.policystat.com/policy/6591951/latest/.

Clery Act

In compliance with state and federal crime awareness and campus security legislation, including The Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Crime Statistics Act, California Education Code section 67380, and the Higher Education Opportunity Act (HEOA), the Cal State San Bernardino Annual Security and Fire Safety Report is available at: https://www.csusb.edu/clery-act

The work may require the ability to work overtime, weekends, and holidays; rotating night, evening, and day shifts; non-standard (8, 10 and 12-hour) shifts and flexible, non-standard workweeks per departmental staffing rules.