Chief Buyer

Chief Buyer

Salary

$24.97 - $30.68 Hourly

Location

City Hall

Job Type

Full-Time Permanent

Job Number

26-00071B

Department

Finance Office of Director

Opening Date

10/16/2026

Closing Date

10/30/2026 11:59 PM Eastern

FLSA

Non-Exempt

Bargaining Unit

1600

Job Level

33

• Description
• Benefits
• Questions

Pre-Employment Requirements

Employment is contingent upon successful completion of all applicable pre-employment screenings and verification of eligibility to work in the United States, in accordance with applicable laws, civil service rules, and collective bargaining agreements.

GENERAL STATEMENT OF DUTIES

Supervises and participates in purchasing and storing a wide variety of materials, supplies, and equipment and the disposition of confiscated and/or City-owned property; drafts RFPs and bid documents; opens sealed bids; reviews and analyzes bids and prepares resolutions for Council approval and performs work as required relating to the Purchasing operation. Work includes assistance with routine duties while learning a variety of purchasing responsibilities, including research, cost analyses, and basic contract negotiation in accordance with department standards and bid specifications. Incumbents are assigned duties according to specified procedures and receive detailed instruction.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Supervises and reviews the work of a small clerical staff, initiates quotations and purchase orders; assumes responsibility of Deputy Purchases and Supplies Manager in his/her absence.
• Plans and organizes the formal and informal bid announcements; evaluates cost and Quality of products and services presented in the quotes with specifications.
• Examines requisitions for proper specifications and prepares invitations for bids covering a wide variety of materials supplies and equipment; review vendor application, control file of vendors to whom request for bids are to be sent; Works with Departments to ensure proper bid/RFP requirements are met as needed by the requesting department(s).
• Interviews vendors, inspects the samples they have to offer, and purchases materials, supplies and equipment based on quality and price.
• Tracks status of orders; investigates problems or errors; resolves complaints, secures adjustments and advises City staff.
• Prepares agreements and requests insurance documents; tracks status of agreements and resolves changes to documents and insurance requirements.
• Locates, develops and manages vendor relationships through negotiating and quantifying efficient and low cost suppliers for new or current material requirements.
• Reviews and recommends to the Purchases and Supplies Manager regarding bud specifications, list of prospective bidders and dates to be set for receiving sealed bids, opening of bids, and prepares appropriate Purchasing resolution and the reconciliation of departmental charges pertaining to the bid.
• Ensures that Grants and RFP's are in compliance with state and federal requirements.
• Reviews with appropriate department personnel in order to obtain potential vendors in the bid process.
• Evaluates electronic platforms for online bidding and procurement such as bidnet and MiDeal.
• Works in accordance to the City of Flint Purchasing and Procurement Policies and Ordinance, as well as abide by the standards set forth for Purchasing and Finance as outlined in the City Charter.
• Other related duties as assigned.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

• Knowledge of BS&A, PO, AP, GL, procurement and bid platforms.
• The ability to understand state and federal purchasing laws and city ordinances.
• Knowledge of governmental accounting practices as applied to procurement.
• Knowledge of large-scale purchasing methods and procedures, and of the rules of regulations governing the purchasing of commodities purchased and sources of supplies necessary.
• Demonstrated computer skills, proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and internet research.
• Ability to carry out routine administrative detail independently.
• Ability to maintain clerical records and to prepare accurate reports and tabulations from such records.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective relationships with fellow employees, outside agency personnel, and the general public.
• Ability to perform a wide variety of duties and responsibilities with accuracy and speed under the pressure of time-sensitive deadlines.
• Ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing with employees, vendors and the public.
• Strives to provide excellent customer service.
• Ability to work outside of set office hours on occasion.
• Ability to maintain strict confidentiality.

MINIMUM ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS

• Graduation from college with a specialization in Business Administration, Construction/Project Management, Supply Chain Management, or a related field.
• At least two years' experience in municipal government, procurement, and/or supply chain management.

Additional full-time paid experience as a professional buyer, preferably in the public sector, may be substituted year-for-year for the requirement of college.

SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION

1600

Please see attached Job Description and Job Posting for further details. You must meet the minimum entrance requirements and attach supporting documentation to be considered for employment. Failure to supply required documentation (i.e. Transcripts, Driver's License, incomplete application) will result in disqualification for consideration.

Employees hired by the City must maintain residency as follows: Local 1600 - within 20 miles of the nearest boundary of the City of Flint.

Please be sure to complete the application in full. Resumes may be uploaded with your application, but will not be accepted in lieu of a fully completed application and will not be considered for qualifying credit. "See Resume" or "See Attachment" will NOT be accepted.

Submitting an application does not guarantee that you will be contacted for further consideration. Applicants selected for an interview will be contacted directly by the hiring department. Due to varying hiring timelines and recruitment processes, not all applicants may receive notification of the final hiring decision.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

The City of Flint is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, sexual orientation, and gender identity), national origin, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, or any other legally protected status.

Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Notice

Applicants requiring reasonable accommodation to participate in the hiring or selection process should contact the Human Resources Department.

The City of Flint recognizes the value of benefits to employees and their families and offers a comprehensive and competitive benefits package to eligible full-time employees. Benefits will be provided based upon employment status.

Benefits offered include the following:

Retirement Program: City of Flint eligible employees participate in the MERS hybrid plan. The MERS Hybrid Plan offers you two important tools. The stability and security of a defined benefit plan, combined with the flexibility and investment choice of a defined contribution plan to help you achieve your retirement goals. At retirement, you'll receive a modest lifetime defined benefit (DB) and a separate defined contribution (DC) account you manage.

The DC plan requires an employee pretax irrevocable contribution of 1%-5% (Exempts employees contribute 5%). The employer pays the DB portion and matches the employees DC contribution. (Maximum employer match is capped at 10% for both the DB & DC. DB is always funded first). Employee contributions are 100% vested. Employer DC contributions vest at 20% per year and fully vest after 5 years. DB portion vests after 6 years and is payable at age 60. The City of Flint is a reciprocal employer under Act 88

Insurance Benefits: The City of Flint offers medical insurance (HAP and BCBS of Michigan), dental and vision to eligible employees, their spouses, and qualified dependents. Life & AD&D and short-term disability are available for free to eligible employees after six months of employment. The City of Flint offers a $100 per month opt-out payment for any employee who has other insurance coverage through a spouse or former employer and chooses not to take the City's medical insurance.

Eligible employees can also enroll in flexible spending accounts for both medical and dependents. They have immediate access to the full amount selected while paying back that amount with pre-tax payroll deductions over the following year.

City of Flint eligible employees also participate in an HCSP plan for future retiree health care costs. Employees contribute $600 pre-tax yearly ($23.08 each pay they work and/are paid 40 hours regular wages) and the employer matches $1500 yearly ($57.70 each pay they work and/are paid 40 hours regular wages). This plan is available for use after termination of employment. (The employer match is vested 20% each year and 100% vested after 5 years.)

EAP: The Ulliance Life Advisor Employee Assistance Program is designed to help employees, their spouses or live-in partners and their dependents through the age of 26 with the many personal/work challenges that we all encounter from time to time. The Ulliance Life Advisor Employee Assistance Program is confidential, and no cost to eligible employees, spouses/partners or covered dependents.

Voluntary Plans: The City of Flint also allows eligible employees to participate in voluntary supplemental programs. Aflac, Colonial, Equitable 457 plan and Mission Square 457 plans are available to employees. The 457 plans require pre-tax deductions. The 457 plans also allow employees to borrow up to 50% of their balance with a 5-year repayment schedule.

Professional Development: Eligible employees can apply for a $500 educational reimbursement per calendar year. Curriculums must be job-related courses from an accredited educational institution while maintaining a full-time employment status.

Student Loan Forgiveness: As an employee of the City of Flint, you may be allowed to participate in programs that forgive the balance of qualifying student loans. Information to help determine if you qualify is available from the US Department of Education.

Paid Holidays: Eligible employees receive holidays each year including New Year's Eve and Day, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, the 4th of July, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve and Day. ( Sworn Officers receive Easter Sunday holiday instead of New Year's Eve holiday).

PTO (Paid Time Off): PTO is provided according to union contracts and/or exempt policies to eligible employees. Earned PTO balances carry over each year and are paid out at termination for any employee with 6-month seniority.

Flex (Comp Time): Sworn Officers are allowed to bank overtime at 1.5 hours x hours worked. Flex time is used as leave time and the employee is paid out for any unused eligible hours at termination.

01

Do you have a bachelors degree in Business Administration, Construction/Project Management, Supply Chain Management, or a related field? If yes, please attach your transcripts.

• Yes
• No

02

Do you have at least two years of experience in municipal government, procurement, and/or supply chain management? If yes, please document relevant work experience.

• Yes
• No

Required Question

Employer City of Flint

Address City of Flint

1101 S. Saginaw St

Flint, Michigan, 48502

Phone 810-766-7280

Website https://www.cityofflint.com/