About the role
Buyer
Job Number:
J0625-0640
Position Title:
Buyer
Department:
Finance And Corporate Services
Appointment Status:
Full-Time Permanent
Employee Group:
CUPE 1289
Job Category:
Supply Chain Management
Compensation:
$42.46/Hour
Closing Date:
July 11, 2025
Our City, Our Future
St. John's is a progressive city with a strong connection to the past and a positive outlook on the future. As one of the oldest cities in North America we have a unique history, but we are also a growing city with the needs and opportunities of a modern urban population. The City of St. John’s is committed to recruiting world-class talent and expertise to join our City staff, more than 1200 strong, who provide a vast array of valued services to the residents of St. John's and the metropolitan area. If you are an innovative thinker with a positive attitude and a commitment to quality, we want you to help us make St. John’s a city where people want to live and feel they belong.
The Opportunity
The City of St. John's is seeking to fill the full time permanent position of Buyer. This position reports to the Manager, Supply Chain in the Department of Finance and Administration, and is responsible for the following duties.
Accountabilities
- Review, analyze, research and assist in the preparation of requisitions and bid documents to ensure that specifications are adequate, open and fair to permit competitive bidding, and compliant with applicable regulations, trade agreements, policies, and procedures.
- Develop and recommend specific language, terms and conditions for bid documents
- Analyze and recommend awarding of bids and interpret compliance to specifications, terms and conditions.
- Source a variety of commodities and obtain prices through various means, including negotiation, arrange and expedite deliveries, and administer bid process for assigned commodities
- Obtain, modify and maintain contract documents, and develop Standing Offer Agreements and contracts for increased efficiencies.
- Identify and participate in opportunities for cost reduction, avoidance and containment through a value analysis process.
- Maintain good relations with suppliers and user departments, including the handling of complaints on processes, fairness, compliance and performance.
- Know and comply with Federal, Provincial Law and Municipal Law, and policies and procedures that regulate purchasing activities, including an established Code of Ethics.
The successful applicant will be required to participate in all training programs applicable to this position and other related work. The above statements reflect the general duties considered necessary to describe the principal functions of the job identified and shall not be considered a detailed description of all work requirements that may be inherent in the job.
Qualifications
Graduation from High School supplemented by Level III of the former PMAC Certified Professional Purchaser program, or completion of Year 2 of the Supply Chain Management Association’s Strategic Supply Chain Management Leadership Program; and three (3) years experience as a full time buyer OR a diploma in Business Administration or Management from a recognized college or university and four (4) years experience as a full time Buyer.
Relevant Experience
The experience noted above must be with bids of a complex nature and/or of a high value for commodities. Experience with computerized bidding systems (i.e. eSolutions Bids & Tenders) would be considered an asset in addition to knowledge of the Newfoundland and Labrador Public Procurement Act, Regulations and Policy, and various bidding formats (i.e. ITT/RFP/RFI/RFQ). A working knowledge of Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, Outlook) is also considered an asset. Applicants must have excellent interpersonal and communication skills and the ability to deal with people in a tactful, diplomatic manner.
Hours of Work
8 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Monday to Friday, 40 hours per week
Applicants must be members of the Canadian Union of Public Employees, Local 1289, or should be prepared to join the Union immediately upon appointment.
We wish to express our appreciation to all applicants for their interest and effort in applying for this position. However, only candidates selected for interview will be contacted. The City of St. John's does not accept applications in person, by email, fax or mail. Applications will be received up to 12:00 Midnight (Newfoundland Standard Time) on closing date.
This City of St. John's is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to the employment of a qualified workforce which reflects the community's diversity.
Are you interested in this job?
About City of St. John's
The City of St. John's employs approximately 1,200 staff who work together to provide a vast array of services to the residents of St. John’s and metro area. To help fulfill that mandate, we strive to acquire positively motivated and highly skilled individuals.
About the role
Buyer
Job Number:
J0625-0640
Position Title:
Buyer
Department:
Finance And Corporate Services
Appointment Status:
Full-Time Permanent
Employee Group:
CUPE 1289
Job Category:
Supply Chain Management
Compensation:
$42.46/Hour
Closing Date:
July 11, 2025
Our City, Our Future
St. John's is a progressive city with a strong connection to the past and a positive outlook on the future. As one of the oldest cities in North America we have a unique history, but we are also a growing city with the needs and opportunities of a modern urban population. The City of St. John’s is committed to recruiting world-class talent and expertise to join our City staff, more than 1200 strong, who provide a vast array of valued services to the residents of St. John's and the metropolitan area. If you are an innovative thinker with a positive attitude and a commitment to quality, we want you to help us make St. John’s a city where people want to live and feel they belong.
The Opportunity
The City of St. John's is seeking to fill the full time permanent position of Buyer. This position reports to the Manager, Supply Chain in the Department of Finance and Administration, and is responsible for the following duties.
Accountabilities
- Review, analyze, research and assist in the preparation of requisitions and bid documents to ensure that specifications are adequate, open and fair to permit competitive bidding, and compliant with applicable regulations, trade agreements, policies, and procedures.
- Develop and recommend specific language, terms and conditions for bid documents
- Analyze and recommend awarding of bids and interpret compliance to specifications, terms and conditions.
- Source a variety of commodities and obtain prices through various means, including negotiation, arrange and expedite deliveries, and administer bid process for assigned commodities
- Obtain, modify and maintain contract documents, and develop Standing Offer Agreements and contracts for increased efficiencies.
- Identify and participate in opportunities for cost reduction, avoidance and containment through a value analysis process.
- Maintain good relations with suppliers and user departments, including the handling of complaints on processes, fairness, compliance and performance.
- Know and comply with Federal, Provincial Law and Municipal Law, and policies and procedures that regulate purchasing activities, including an established Code of Ethics.
The successful applicant will be required to participate in all training programs applicable to this position and other related work. The above statements reflect the general duties considered necessary to describe the principal functions of the job identified and shall not be considered a detailed description of all work requirements that may be inherent in the job.
Qualifications
Graduation from High School supplemented by Level III of the former PMAC Certified Professional Purchaser program, or completion of Year 2 of the Supply Chain Management Association’s Strategic Supply Chain Management Leadership Program; and three (3) years experience as a full time buyer OR a diploma in Business Administration or Management from a recognized college or university and four (4) years experience as a full time Buyer.
Relevant Experience
The experience noted above must be with bids of a complex nature and/or of a high value for commodities. Experience with computerized bidding systems (i.e. eSolutions Bids & Tenders) would be considered an asset in addition to knowledge of the Newfoundland and Labrador Public Procurement Act, Regulations and Policy, and various bidding formats (i.e. ITT/RFP/RFI/RFQ). A working knowledge of Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, Outlook) is also considered an asset. Applicants must have excellent interpersonal and communication skills and the ability to deal with people in a tactful, diplomatic manner.
Hours of Work
8 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Monday to Friday, 40 hours per week
Applicants must be members of the Canadian Union of Public Employees, Local 1289, or should be prepared to join the Union immediately upon appointment.
We wish to express our appreciation to all applicants for their interest and effort in applying for this position. However, only candidates selected for interview will be contacted. The City of St. John's does not accept applications in person, by email, fax or mail. Applications will be received up to 12:00 Midnight (Newfoundland Standard Time) on closing date.
This City of St. John's is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to the employment of a qualified workforce which reflects the community's diversity.
Are you interested in this job?
About City of St. John's
The City of St. John's employs approximately 1,200 staff who work together to provide a vast array of services to the residents of St. John’s and metro area. To help fulfill that mandate, we strive to acquire positively motivated and highly skilled individuals.