Buyer

UCI Series Concepts -- UCI SIZE-NEUTRAL SUPPLEMENTAL GUIDELINES

Class Specifications - F.45
Principal Buyer - (MSP 0753) SIZE-NEUTRAL
Buyer V (7772) SIZE-NEUTRAL
Buyer IV (7773) SIZE-NEUTRAL
Buyer III (7776) Not in use at the Irvine Campus
Buyer II (7774)
Buyer I (7775)

August, 1983 -- SIZE-NEUTRAL MARCH 1995

SERIES CONCEPT

Buyers plan, direct and/or implement campus purchasing programs; and perform 
related duties as required.

Incumbents typically purchase materials, supplies, equipment, and services; 
solicit bids, analyze quotations received, and select or recommend suppliers; 
negotiate contracts; purchase items and services in accordance with quality, 
quantity and specification requirements; prepare purchase orders from 
requisitions; maintain contact with vendors; develop new contacts for supply 
of goods and services; conduct special surveys of sources of supply, 
considering needs of the University; obtain the best pricing and discounts; 
make adjustments with vendors, and provide professional advice and assistance 
at the departmental, campus-wide and systemwide level.

This series is distinguished from other professional series, e.g., 
Administrative Analyst and Management Services Officer, by an emphasis on 
unique purchasing functions such as contract negotiation, contract 
administration, contract termination, price analysis, and procurement and 
related functions such as forecasting, inventory control, and cost analysis.

Buyer positions are allocated to one of five levels by comparing the 
complexity of required purchasing techniques, the authority to negotiate and 
make contractual commitments, the responsibility for purchasing administration, 
the responsibility for supervising incumbents involved in purchasing, and the 
level of supervision received.

CLASS CONCEPTS

Principal Buyer 

Under general direction, incumbents function as a Purchasing Agent for a major 
campus purchasing program or oversee the work of lower level Buyers assigned 
to the most complex commodity purchases such as computers, word processing 
equipment, specialized medical equipment and scientific laboratory equipment.  
They have full functional responsibility for planning, directing and 
coordinating procurement functions.  Emphasis at this level is primarily 
on managerial duties rather than on the performance of the most complex 
purchases or contract negotiations.

Buyer V

Under direction, incumbents manage the Planned Purchasing Program 
responsibilities of a campus.  Incumbents typically purchase highly complex 
technical items, materials or services that are designed and manufactured 
exclusively for the University; conduct difficult contract negotiations; 
develop purchasing specifications for manufacturers; and purchase goods and 
services for the entire University. Incumbents may supervise the work of 
other professional and clerical personnel.

Buyer IV

Under general supervision, incumbents purchase commodities of a technical 
and specialized nature that are usually made, altered, or customized to meet 
the University's needs and specifications; deal directly with manufacturers; 
and independently negotiate contracts.  Incumbents may, in addition, serve a
as work leaders for lower level Buyers.

Buyer III - Not in use at the Irvine campus.

Buyer II

Under general supervision, incumbents purchase standardized commodities as 
described in the series concept.  Incumbents at this level typically obtain 
information concerning prices, terms of payment, and selection of items; make 
awards to vendors; contact and develop sources of supply; maintain personal 
contact with vendors; and work with departmental administrators on general 
requisition specifications.

Buyer I

Under supervision, incumbents perform purchasing duties according to 
prescribed procedures and/or defined instructions.  Work performance is 
subject to continuing review until standard procedures are learned.  
Incumbents may be delegated limited commitment authority.  This is the entry 
level in the series;however, positions may be assigned to this level on a 
continuing basis.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Applicants for positions in the Buyer series are expected to possess the 
skills, knowledge, and abilities essential to the successful performance of 
the duties assigned to the positions.

July 29, 1986

ASSISTANT VICE PRESIDENT LEVIN

Re: Use of Buyer Series

My July 18, 1984 letter to Assistant Vice President Stover transmitted the 
concerns of Materiel Manager Delucchi from the Berkeley campus regarding the 
assignment of the Buyer classification to individuals outside central campus 
purchasing departments.

Your August 21, 1984 letter to me indicated your preference was that 
"Chancellors and Vice Presidents with delegated authority to classify 
personnel positions consider the desirability of using the series within 
campuswide or universityvide purchasing programs." You also stated that 
responsibility for the classification of staff personnel positions under 
their jurisdictions has been delegated to Chancellors, Vice President-
Agriculture and University Services, and Senior Vice President-
Administration.

At a recent meeting of Materiel managers, there was solid agreement among the 
Materiel Managers that the 'Buyer' classification should only be used by 
central purchasing departments.  Since a person with the title 'Buyer' is 
considered an agent of the University with full rights and responsibilities 
carried by agency status, it would appear essential that the title not be 
allowed for general use.

The Materiel managers have recommended, and I am requesting that the first 
paragraph of the Series Concept for Buyers be changed to read:

Buyers plan, direct and/or implement campus and hospital purchasing programs 
for goods and series and perform related duties as required under the 
direction of and with specific delegation of purchasing authority from campus 
and hospital Materiel Managers.  Buyers are agents of the University with 
respect to purchases made in accordance with Materiel Management policy, 
University policy, State and federal law.

Please let me know if we can provide any additional Information regarding 
this proposed change.

Wayne S. Ove
University Materiel Coordinator


cc: Senior Vice President Brady
    Associate Vice President Pastrone
    Vice Chancellors-Administration
    Business Affairs Council
    Materiel Managers