Senior Buyer

Overview

The Senior Buyer Apprenticeship provides focused training in specialized public procurement. As a Senior Buyer Apprentice, you will learn to purchase a wide range of commodities and services, review departmental requests, work with vendors and officials, analyze pricing and product suitability, and evaluate alternatives that support objectives such as energy conservation, affirmative action, and value analysis.

You will gain experience managing complex bid projects, supporting special assignments, assisting with overflow work, and learning to guide other buyers—responsibilities that distinguish this role from the Buyer classification. Work is performed independently under the general direction of the Procurement Manager.

This two-year program includes 4,000 on‑the‑job training hours and 288 related training instruction hours. Apprentices are non‑classified and paid as Senior Buyer Apprentices throughout the program. Upon successful completion, participants are promoted to the Senior Buyer classification and complete a 12‑month probationary period.

Department: Aviation

Salary

4,000 On-the-Job Training Hours (*based on Class and Comp Pay Plan):

• $25.43/ hour starting wage
• $26.70 / hour after 1000 OJT hours
• $28.04 / hour after 2000 OJT hours
• $29.44 / hour after 3000 OJT hours
• Starting Pay upon graduation $30.92 / hour

Note: After program completion, they begin a 12-month probationary period and receive a one-time retention incentive payment of $3,500.00

On-the-Job Training Includes:

• Completing all National Institute of Governmental Purchasing (NIGP) training courses
• Completing NIGP Pathways Core Certificates
• Securing Certified Public Procurement Buyer (CPPB) Certification
• Graduating the Senior Buyer Apprenticeship Program
• Earning a State of Arizona Completion Certificate
• Earning a Department of Labor Completion Certificate
• Promoting  to Senior Buyer Position
• Shadowing experienced procurement officers
• Obtaining hands-on experience
  
  • Request for Proposal, Quotations, Qualifications
  • Solicitations
  • Determinations
  • Amendments

Minimum Qualifications:

• Must be 18 years old
• Must have a bachelor’s degree
• Ability to:
  
  • Walk for prolonged periods, which may include walking over rough, uneven, or rocky surfaces.
  • Maintain regular and reliable attendance.
  • Comply with department’s policies and procedures while demonstrating superior seamless customer service, integrity, and commitment to innovation, efficiency, and fiscally responsible activity.

Resources