SENIOR BUYER

Metro’s mission is to provide a world-class transportation system that enhances the quality of life for all who live, work, and play within LA County.

Description

Plans, prepares, and oversees complex procurement activities. The position is responsible for Sourcing, Expediting, Procuring product and Supplier Scorecard implementation.
Recruitment Timelines : Interviews are projected to be scheduled for the week of February 9, 2026 . These dates are subject to change. We encourage you to monitor your governmentjobs.com profile and emails for the latest updates.

Examples of Duties

• Acquires materiel, supplies, equipment, and services according to specifications and requirements
• Provides accurate and timely processing of all purchase orders in accordance with Metro's policies and procedures
• Organizes and analyses supply requisitions
• Communicates and resolves over-shipments, delivery shortages, non-conformance, quantity adjustments, delivery changes, and price discrepancies to the interested parties in a timely manner
• Monitors supplier performance to ensure continuity of goods and services that will meet the quality, service, and price performance standards of the agency; manages the day-to-day business relationship and acts as a liaison between suppliers and internal/using departments
• Selects vendors, obtains and compares price quotations, negotiates terms, and awards contracts within Metro
• Interacts with originating departments to ensure that available goods or services meet their requirements; suggests acceptable substitutes when necessary
• Maintains various files and records of procurements
• Prepares Requests for Proposals (RFPs) and Invitations for Bids (IFBs) in compliance with Metro's policies and procedures and with state and federal rules and regulations
• Solicits small businesses, Disadvantaged Business Enterprises (DBE), and Women-owned Business Enterprises (WBE) to participate in Metro's procurement process
• Negotiates contract costs, terms, and conditions for special projects
• Conducts complex acquisitions which require long-term agreements or contracts
• Trains, organizes, assigns, coaches, and reviews work of less experienced staff as a team leader, conferring with supervisor when necessary

May be required to perform other related job duties

Minimum Qualifications

A combination of education and/or experience that provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the essential functions of the position. Additional experience, as outlined below, may be substituted for required education on a year-for-year basis. A typical combination includes:

Education

• Bachelor's Degree in Business, Public Administration, or a related field

Experience

• Three years of relevant experience performing purchasing activities; some positions in this class may require specialized experience in area of assignment

Certifications/Licenses/Special Requirements

• A valid California Class C Driver License or the ability to utilize an alternative method of transportation when needed to carry out job-related essential functions
• Professional certification from National Contract Management Association (NCMA), American Production and Inventory Control Society (APICS), Institute for Supply Management (ISM), or equivalent preferred

Preferred Qualifications

Preferred Qualifications (PQs) are used to identify relevant knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSAs) as determined by business necessity. These criteria are considered preferred qualifications and are not intended to serve as minimum requirements for the position. PQs will help support selection decisions throughout the recruitment. In addition, applicants who possess these PQs will not automatically be selected.

The following are the preferred qualifications:

• Experience conducting sourcing for hard-to-find alternatives, substitute items or custom items
• Experience developing and implementing an automated order follow-up
  process
• Experience working with suppliers to expedite hot/late orders

Essential Knowledge

Knowledge of (defined as a learned body of information that is required for and applied in the performance of job tasks)

• Theories, principles, and practices of procurement
• Types, uses, and sources of materiel and services used by large organizations
• Market trends and pricing conditions of various commodities, products, and services
• Applicable local, state, and federal laws, rules, and regulations governing policies related to procurement, including DBE
• Financial analysis, statistical research, and mathematical procedures
• Applicable business software applications

Skill in (defined as the proficient manual, verbal, or mental utilization of data, people, or things)

• Performing complex procurement work
• Negotiating procurement transactions effectively
• Preparing specifications, IFBs, RFPs, and contracts
• Analyzing data and situations, identifying problems, and recommending solutions
• Communicating effectively both orally and in writing
• Interacting professionally with various levels of Metro employees and outside representatives
• Operating computers and general office equipment

Ability to (defined as a present competence to perform an observable behavior or produce an observable result)

• Plan, organize, establish priorities, and assign and review the work of other assigned staff
• Compile, analyze, and interpret complex data
• Exercise sound judgment and creativity in making decisions
• Understand, interpret, and apply laws, rules, regulations, policies, procedures, contracts, budgets, and labor/management agreements
• Prepare comprehensive reports and correspondence
• Travel to offsite locations
• Read, write, speak, and understand English

Special Conditions

• This job specification is not to be construed as an exhaustive list of duties, responsibilities, or requirements
• The physical demands described are representative of those that must be met by the employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job
• Metro provides reasonable accommodation to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions
• This classification is at-will and the incumbent serves at the pleasure of the hiring authority when classified as an Intermittent, Emergency, Annuitant, or Temporary employee, is assigned to the Office of Inspector General (OIG) or Board Clerk's Office, and/or reporting directly to the LACMTA Board of Directors
• Contributes to ensuring that the Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) policies and programs of Metro are carried out

Working Conditions

• Typical office situation
• Close exposure to computer monitors and video screen

Physical Effort Required

• Sitting at a desk or table
• Operate a telephone or other telecommunications device and communicate through the medium
• Type and use a keyboard and mouse to perform necessary computer-based functions
• Communicating through speech in the English language required

(SA)

Metro is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, ancestry, national origin, gender, marital status, sexual orientation, religion, age, veteran status, or disability. Learn more about Metro’s Equal Employment Opportunity Program . Metro does not deny participation in the application process to anyone with prior justice system involvement, in line with Fair Chance hiring practices.

Selection Procedure

Applicants who best meet job-related qualifications will be invited to participate in the examination process that may consist of any combination of written, performance, or oral appraisal to further evaluate job-related experience, knowledge, skills and abilities.

Application Procedure

To apply, visit Metro's website at www.metro.net and complete an online Employment Application.
Computers are available to complete online Employment Applications at the following Metro locations:

METRO Headquarters, Employment Office
One Gateway Plaza
Los Angeles, CA 90012
Open: Monday through Friday, 8am-4pm
(Closed Sat & Sun)

Metro Talent Hub
8501 S. Evermont Place
Los Angeles, CA 90044
Open: Monday through Friday, 9am-5pm
(Closed Sat & Sun)

East Los Angeles Customer Center
4501 B Whittier Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90022
Open: Tuesday through Saturday, 10am to 6pm
(Closed Sun & Mon)

Wilshire/Vermont Customer Center
3183 Wilshire Blvd, Ste 174
Los Angeles, CA 90010
Open: Monday through Friday, 10am-6pm
(Closed Sat & Sun)

Rosa Parks Customer Center
Willowbrook/Rosa Parks Station
11720 Wilmington Ave
Los Angeles, CA 90059
Open: Monday through Friday, 6am to 6:30pm
(Closed Sat & Sun)

Telephone: (213) 922-6217 or persons with hearing or speech impairments can use California Relay Service 711 to contact Metro.

All completed online Employment Applications must be received by 5:00 p.m. on the closing date. Late applications will not be considered.

*Open to the public and all Metro employees

This job bulletin is not to be construed as an exhaustive list of duties, responsibilities, or requirements. Employees may be required to perform other related job duties.

*Please refer to the applicable benefit type (Regular or Temporary)*

BENEFITS FOR REGULAR EMPLOYEES

Benefits cover probationary or regular full-time (working at least 40 hrs/week) employees of Metro.

We offer a range of high-quality medical, dental and vision plan options as well as health care spending accounts for you and your family. Metro will cover a significant portion of your health care premiums.

Medical/Dental/Vision Plan - Employee has the choice of 3 separate medical plans and 3 dental plans. A separate vision plan is included in each medical plan.

Group Life Insurance - PTSC pays for an amount equal to your annual salary, rounded up to the nearest $1,000. Minimum amount of life insurance is $30,000.

Accidental Death & Dismemberment Insurance - PTSC provides $50,000 coverage for each employee. Additional voluntary coverage in amounts up to $500,000 is available at favorable premium rates.

Long-Term Disability Insurance - 100% employer paid. Provides employees with a minimum income of 60% of earnings after six months of disability. Buy up or buy down options available.

Holidays - 12 days a year: New Year's Day, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Presidents' Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Veterans' Day, Cesar E Chavez, Juneteenth,Thanksgiving Day, Day After Thanksgiving, and Christmas Day.

Time off with Pay (TOWP) - Compensates employees who are on approved absence from work for reasons such as illness, injury, medical and dental appointments, personal business, vacation, or observance of (a) religious holiday.
Years of Service Annual Accrual
Hire date - 5 years 20 days
Beginning of 6th - 10th year 25 days
Beginning of 11th - 15th year 30 days
Beginning of 16th + years 35 days

Pension Plan - PTSC retirement plan is the Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS). Vesting is five (5) years. Minimum retirement age is 52, based on the 2% at 62 formula.

Other Benefits: Transportation passes for employees and/or eligible dependents; Medicare; Tuition reimbursement; credit union membership; SDI; Deferred Compensation Plan; 401(K) Thrift plan; EAP; Medical and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts; Flexible work schedules; and Jury Duty Pay.

BENEFITS FOR TEMPORARY EMPLOYEES

Temporary (Contingent) employees are eligible for the following benefits only:

• Kaiser medical insurance
• Public Pension Plan
• 457/401K Plan
• Flex Spending
• Paid Sick Time
• Fare Media
• Rideshare Subsidies
• Metro One Fitness membership

For more information on the Benefits Enrollment for Contingent Employees, please visit LA Metro’s Pension & Benefits website at benefits.metro.net

Closing Date/Time: 2/2/2026 5:00 PM Pacific

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• Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority - LA Metro

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