WHY CALOPTIMA?
CalOptima is the single largest health plan in Orange County, serving 880,000 members, or one in four residents. Our motto — "Better. Together.” — is at the heart of our mission to serve members with excellence, dignity and respect. We are a public agency made up of compassionate leaders and professionals working together to strengthen our community’s health. If you’re looking for an opportunity to work for an organization dedicated to improving local health care and serving the needs of the most vulnerable, we encourage you to join CalOptima.
JOB SUMMARY
The Buyer Sr will handle complex purchasing assignments such as formal bidding that involves technical specifications and complex evaluation processes. The incumbent will conduct vendor negotiations to obtain the best pricing and a high level of service quality for the organization, conduct contract administration activities to ensure compliance with contact law and CalOptima policies, and provide subject matter expertise, guidance, and direction to team members.
POSITION RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Participates in a mission driven culture of high-quality performance, with a member focus on customer service, consistency, dignity, and accountability.
- Assists the team in carrying out department responsibilities and collaborates with others to support short and long-term goals/priorities for the department.
- Conducts formal and informal bid process by using tools such as Request for Proposal (RFP), Request for Quotation (RFQ), Request for Qualifications (RFQu) and Invitation for Bid (IFB).
- Conducts post bid debriefing with unsuccessful bidders.
- Negotiates contract pricing, terms and conditions with successful bidders.
- Conducts bi-weekly contract review meetings with business owner.
- Reviews invoices and vendor progress reports.
- Coordinates vendor management activities and meetings in conjunction with business owner.
- Assists departments in development of purchasing specifications or scopes of work.
- Prepares contract amendments, contract terminations and close-out activities.
- Ensures timely renewals of contracts and amendments.
- Assists business owners in determining appropriate contract types.
- Reviews and processes purchase orders.
- Enforces internal purchasing, contract administration, and travel policies and procedures.
- Researches, interviews, and identifies best-in-class vendors.
- Contacts vendors to perform follow-up on orders and expedite or delay orders as needed.
- Provides training and support for internal users on purchasing systems.
- Develops and distributes department reports.
- Other projects and duties as assigned.
POSSESSES THE ABILITY TO:
- Prepare documents, including contracts, policies and procedures, and formal bidding documents.
- Communicate clearly and concisely, both verbally and in writing.
- Draft and deliver clear, effective presentations to management and external audiences.
- Negotiate cost effective and viable contracts and agreements.
- Establish and maintain effective working relationships with CalOptima leadership and staff.
- Utilize computer and appropriate software (e.g., Microsoft Office: Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, Word) and job-specific applications/systems to produce correspondence, charts, spreadsheets, and/or other information applicable to the position assignment.
EXPERIENCE & EDUCATION:
- High School diploma required.
- 5 years of purchasing related experience required.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
- Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration or other related field highly desired, MBA preferred.
- Professional certification from a national association (e.g., Institute for Supply Management (ISM) or National Institute of Governmental Purchasing (NIGP)) strongly preferred.
- Experience with Novatus, Ariett, BidSync or GP Dynamics preferred.
KNOWLEDGE OF:
- Public agency purchasing and contract principles, including formal and informal bid preparation, contract negotiation, and basic financial analysis.
- Comprehensive knowledge of contract and business law.
- Current and extensive knowledge of automated purchasing and contract management systems.
- Specific knowledge of a variety of office, technical, and maintenance supplies and materials, best sources, and appropriate prices for the procurement of such goods.
- Familiarity with Public Works, prevailing page requirements, bonds, insurance and facility related products and services.
- Public Records requests.
DEPARTMENT(S): Budget & Vendor Management
REPORTS TO: Manager, Purchasing
FLSA STATUS: Non-Exempt
SALARY GRADE: I - $29.33 - $44.95 ($61,000 - $93,500)
CalOptima is an equal employment opportunity employer and makes all employment decisions on the basis of merit. CalOptima wants to have qualified employees in every job position. CalOptima prohibits unlawful discrimination against any employee, or applicant for employment, based on race, religion/religious creed, color, national origin, ancestry, mental or physical disability, medical condition, genetic information, marital status, sex, sex stereotype, gender, gender identity, gender expression, transitioning status, age, sexual orientation, immigration status, military status as a disabled veteran, or veteran of the Vietnam era, or any other consideration made unlawful by federal, state, or local laws. CalOptima also prohibits unlawful discrimination based on the perception that anyone has any of those characteristics or is associated with a person who has, or is perceived as having, any of those characteristics.
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If you are a qualified individual with a disability or a disabled veteran, you may request a reasonable accommodation if you are unable or limited in your ability to access job openings or apply for a job on this site as a result of your disability. You can request reasonable accommodations by contacting Human Resources Disability Management at 657-900-1134.
Required Skills
Required Experience