Salary : $78,478.40 - $105,809.60 Annually
Location : Santa Ana
Job Type: Full-Time
Job Number: 9006GE-1026-021 (O)
Department: County Executive Office
Opening Date: 10/08/2026
Closing Date: 10/15/2026 11:59 PM Pacific
CAREER DESCRIPTIONSENIOR PROCUREMENT BUYERSalary may be negotiable within the range listed above, based on position requirements and successful candidate's qualifications, subject to appropriate authorization.
OPEN TO THE PUBLIC This recruitment will establish an open eligible list that will be used to fill current and futureSenior Procurement Buyerpositions. The eligible list established may also be used to fill positions in similar and/or lower classifications throughout the County of Orange.
DEADLINE TO APPLYThis recruitment will be open for a minimum of five (5) business days and will close on
Thursday, October 15, 2026, at 11:59pm (PST). Qualified applicants are encouraged to apply immediately.
THE OPPORTUNITYThe has an exciting opportunity for a Senior Procurement Buyer. The Senior Procurement Buyer may train and monitor the work of staff engaged in the procurement of materials, supplies, equipment and preparation of contracts. In addition, this position performs the more difficult and complex tasks in the unit and interprets County and department policies, rules and regulations governing procurement activities and awarding of contracts. Incumbents will be expected to maintain up-to-date knowledge of the status of prices and general market conditions.
Major duties of the Senior Procurement Buyer include, but are not limited to:
- Preparing, reviewing and negotiating contracts and bid/proposal specifications.
- Interpreting and analyzing legislative and County laws, rules and regulations pertinent to procurement, solicitations, contract negotiation, and contract administration.
- Conducting complex value analysis and developing precise product specifications.
- Serving as a team lead and providing training and guidance to procurement and contracts staff.
- Performing contract management and contract administration.
- Selecting and preparing the appropriate solicitation documents, i.e., Invitation for Bid (IFB), Request for Qualifications (RFQ), Request for Information (RFI), or Request for Proposal (RFP).
- Obtaining the appropriate levels of approval from County Counsel, Risk Management, and the Orange County Board of Supervisors, as required.
- Negotiating and executing contracts for which competitive bidding is not required/appropriate.
- Determining appropriate sources of supply.
- Obtaining required insurance, bonds, and applicable endorsements.
DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS AND CORE COMPETENCIESIn addition to the minimum qualifications, the ideal candidate will possess at least one year of experience in procurement, contract administration, and managing complex solicitations.
In addition, the ideal candidate will also have extensive experience in the following core competencies:
TECHNICAL KNOWLEDGE | TECHNICAL EXPERIENCE- Demonstrating extensive expertise in applying procurement principles, ethics, and best practices, while interpreting and integrating relevant Public Contract Codes, Government Codes and other Federal requirements.
- Ensuring full compliance with County and departmental procurement policies by accurately interpreting governing rules, regulations, and procedures to guide contract development and award processes.
- Preparing and analyzing complex solicitation and contract specifications, researching cooperative agreements, and selecting the most effective solicitation methods to achieve competitive, value-driven procurement outcomes.
- Evaluating supplier capacity, capability, and performance through detailed cost and value analyses.
LEADERSHIP SKILLS- Effectively leading cross-departmental collaboration to ensure procurement strategies, solicitation documents, and contract awards align with County policies, operational needs, and long-term organizational objectives.
- Providing guidance to staff and end-users in developing precise specifications, value analyses, and approaches to support efficient, compliant, and cost-effective purchasing outcomes.
- Demonstrating strong leadership in negotiating complex contracts by motivating suppliers, influencing internal and external stakeholders, and securing contracts that align with County goals while maintaining fairness and transparency.
- Providing direction, mentorship, and technical expertise to procurement staff to strengthen team capability, enhance workflow efficiency, and ensure consistent adherence to procurement standards and best practices.
ANALYSIS & PROBLEM-SOLVING SKILLS - Demonstrating strong analytical judgment by interpreting local ordinances and state and federal procurement regulations to ensure contractual decisions are compliant, defensible, and aligned with organizational requirements.
- Applying advanced research and statistical analysis techniques-including data, trend evaluation, and graphical interpretation-to assess market conditions, evaluate and monitor supplier performance, and support evidence-based procurement strategies.
- Serving as an effective liaison by diagnosing the causes of departmental and supplier disputes, facilitating collaborative problem-solving, and implementing solutions that maintain fairness, transparency, and operational continuity.
LICENSE/CERTIFICATIONPossession of a California Class C Driver's License is Required.
Must obtain Deputy Procurement Agent certification within twelve (12) months of employment.MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONSClick to learn more about the minimum qualifications for the Senior Procurement Buyer as well as the physical characteristics and environmental conditions. NOTE: Foreign degrees require an evaluation of U.S. equivalency by an agency that is a member of the National Association of Credential Services (N.A.C.E.S.).
RECRUITMENT PROCESSHuman Resource Services (HRS) will screen all application materials to identify qualified applicants. After screening, qualified applicants will be referred to the next step and notified of all further procedures applicable to their status in the competition.
Application Screening (Refer/Non-Refer)Applications and supplemental responses will be screened for qualifications that are highly desirable and most needed to successfully perform the duties of this job. Only those applicants that meet the qualifications as listed in the job bulletin will be referred to the next step.
Structured Oral Interview | SOI (Weighted 100%)The Structured Oral Interview is a timed assessment. Applicants will provide answers to job-related questions, which will be rated by a panel of subject matter experts using standardized evaluation criteria. Only the most qualified candidates will move advance to the next step in the recruitment process or will be placed on the eligible list.
Eligible ListOnce the assessment has been completed, HRS will establish an eligible list of candidates. Candidates placed on the eligible list may be referred to a selection interview to be considered for present and future vacancies.
Based on the Department's needs, the selection procedures listed above may be modified. All candidates will be notified of any changes in the selection procedure.
Veterans Employment Preference The County is committed to providing a mechanism to give preferential consideration in the employment process to veterans and their eligible spouses and will provide eligible participants the opportunity to receive interviews in the selection process for employment and paid internship openings. Please click to review the policy.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATIONREASONABLE ACCOMMODATION The County of Orange is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities. Individuals who require a reasonable accommodation during the application or selection process should notify the recruiter listed on the job posting as soon as possible. Documentation supporting the accommodation request may be required.
EMAIL NOTIFICATIONEmail is the primary form of notification during the recruitment process. Please ensure your correct email address is included in our application and use only one email account.NOTE: User accounts are established for one person only and should not be shared with another person. Multiple applications with multiple users may jeopardize your status in the recruitment process for any positions for which you apply. Candidates will be notified regarding their status as the recruitment proceeds via email through the GovernmentJobs.com site. Please check your email folders, including spam/junk folders, and/or accept emails ending with "governmentjobs.com" and "ocgov.com." If your email address should change, please update your profile at
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:Click for additional Frequently Asked Questions.
For specific information pertaining to this recruitment, please contact Michelle Kozai at or (714) 834-7308.
Please note that Extra Help employees are not eligible for the benefits listed.
Please go to the following link to find out more about Defined Benefit Pensions and OCERS Plan Types/Benefits.
01
INSTRUCTIONS: The competencies listed in the desirable qualifications and in the minimum qualifications will be used to select the ideal candidate. Your answers to these supplemental questions should be descriptive and concise, and should highlight the areas you have developed expertise, matching your professional experience with the specific competencies.Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of completing these questions. If you have no experience, include "no experience" for the appropriate question. Responses of "See Work History," "See Resume" or copy and paste of work experience are not qualifying responses and will not be accepted in lieu of required information. By selecting "Yes" below, you acknowledge that you have read and understand this application requirement.
02
Please indicate your level of procurement buyer experience as it relates to the knowledge and abilities identified in the job bulletin.PLEASE NOTE: If you are using education or a certification to substitute for experience, you must provide a legible copy of your unofficial transcript showing coursework directly related to the competencies and attributes required of the position. Please attach the supporting documentation to your application.Foreign degrees require an evaluation of U.S. equivalency by an agency that is a member of the National Association of Credential Services (N.A.C.E.S.)
- One year as a Procurement Buyer for the County of Orange.
- Three years of education, training and experience, or a combination thereof, which clearly demonstrate possession of the knowledge and skills listed above. Unofficial transcripts have been attached to this application, if applicable.
- Certification as a Certified Public Procurement Officer (CPPO), Certified Professional Public Buyer (CPPB), or Certified Purchasing Manager (CPM). Certifications have been attached to this application.
- None of the above.
03
If you are using educational courses to meet the minimum requirements for this position, you must provide the course name, course content, number of units and college attended (please attach copy of certificate or college transcripts).If you are not using educational courses, write "Not applicable".
04
Please indicate if you have one or more of the following certifications. PLEASE NOTE: You must attach a legible copy of your certificate to this application.
- Certified Public Procurement Officer (CPPO)
- Certified Professional Public Buyer (CPPB)
- Certified Purchasing Manager (CPM)
- None of the above.
05
Do you possess a Deputy Purchasing Agent (DPA) certification? *Please note if you do not currently have a DPA certification you may be required to obtain the certification within twelve (12) months of employment.
06
Describe your experience administering contracts and preparing solicitations. Please be sure to include your role, duties, length of experience, level of responsibility, and where the experience was gained.
Required Question
