Buyer Trainee

Job Title

Buyer Trainee

Classification

Buyer Trainee

Auto Req. ID

559187

Salary Range

Classification Range $3,311 - $5,992 per month

(Hiring range depending on qualifications, not anticipated to exceed $3,311 - $3,900 per month)

Work Schedule

Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM. This is a temporary training position to end on or before eleven months of training in the program. Upon successful completion, the Buyer Trainee may move to Buyer I Classification.           

Why CSUF

California State University, Fullerton (Cal State Fullerton) is a leading public university committed to student success, academic excellence, and inclusive excellence. The university fosters a collaborative environment that supports teaching, research, and service while promoting innovation and professional growth. Cal State Fullerton is both a Hispanic-Serving Institution and an Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-Serving Institution, and a recipient of the Seal of Excelencia (2021 and 2024) from Excelencia in Education. Joining Cal State Fullerton means becoming part of a community dedicated to advancing student achievement, career success, and economic mobility.

Department

The Division of Administration and Finance serves as the backbone of the CSUF campus, managing a wide array of operations from maintaining and enhancing university buildings and grounds to providing important business support services. Campus beautification, classroom improvements, and technological advancements, continue to be a priority as we enhance the learning environment and facilities. It is the mission of the Division to provide customer-focused administrative support and steward our physical and financial resources in order to fulfill the university’s mission and support student success. Partnership with our campus community and its many stakeholders are important in helping our operations provide excellent customer service and results. The Contracts and Procurement department provides the campus community with cost efficient and effective handling of acquisitions and contracting needs in accordance with State laws and CSU policies. We seek an exceptional individual to join our team as the Buyer Trainee. The ideal candidate in this role should have a positive attitude and an active, energetic mind characterized by highly ethical practices and a commitment to inclusivity, openness, flexibility, integrity, and kindness.

Duties and Responsibilities

Under the supervision of the Director of Contracts and Procurement, the Buyer Trainee will be engaged in a formal, structured program of an eleven-month duration to acquire the essential knowledge and abilities to perform the duties of a professional buyer. The position will perform work under close supervision with assignments in the major aspects of purchasing. Upon successful completion, the trainee may be moved into a Buyer I classification.

During the training, the following knowledge and abilities must be acquired:

• Basic methods and procedures of purchasing utilizing the CSUF Financial System.
• Purchasing commodities and services.
• Learning the fundamental concepts of contracting for CSU Clinical, Affiliation, and Student Learning Agreements.
• Process of competitive bidding as required by the California State Statues and Codes
• Recording and documenting purchasing and contracting activities.
• Ability to communicate clearly in writing and speaking.

Other duties as assigned.

Essential Qualifications

Equivalent to two years of general work experience in accounts payable, ordering, shipping and receiving, or financial record keeping or purchasing or successful completion of course work in purchasing, accounting, marketing, general business or other appropriate field at the junior college or college level may substitute for the required experience on a year-for-year basis. Knowledge of general office procedures, methods, and practices. During training, the following knowledge and abilities must be acquired: basic methods and procedures of purchasing; process of competitive bidding as required by the California State Statutes and Codes; writing of routine, non-specialized specifications; purchasing of standard items; recording and documenting purchasing activities; ability to communicate clearly in English in writing and speaking.

A background check (including a criminal records check) must be completed satisfactorily and is required for employment. CSU will make a conditional offer of employment, which may be rescinded if the background check reveals disqualifying information, and/or it is discovered that the candidate knowingly withheld or falsified information. Failure to complete the background check satisfactorily may affect the continued employment of a current CSU employee who was conditionally offered the position.  

Preferred Qualifications

Two years of college education preferably in Business. Knowledge of general office procedures, methods, and policies. Experience in a procurement organization and CSU system.

License/Certifications

A valid California driver’s license.  

Special Working Conditions

Notice of Non-Discrimination on the Basis of Gender or Sex and Contact Information for Title IX Coordinator

Benefits at a Glance

• An array of health plans that include prescription drug coverage
• Dental and Vision coverage
• Income protection benefits including life insurance and disability
• Retirement plan through CalPERS
• Tuition waiver for employees and dependents if eligible
• FlexCash (in lieu of health and dental)
• Employee Assistance Programs
• 15 paid holidays

See our CSUF Benefits website for additional information.

Additional Information

California State University, Fullerton is committed to fostering an environment where students, staff, administrators, and faculty thrive. We welcome individuals ready to make an impact on student and staff success to apply and become part of the Titan Community. Reasonable accommodations will be provided for qualified applicants with disabilities who self-disclose.

Cal State Fullerton is an equal opportunity employer that prohibits discrimination based on regardless of race, sex, color, ethnicity, national origin, or any other protected status.

As of January 1, 2022, the CSU Out-of-State Employment Policy prohibits the hiring of employees to perform CSU-related work outside the state of California.

The scope of responsibilities for this position includes the making or participating in the making of decisions that may have a material financial benefit on the incumbent. Therefore, you will be required to file an initial “Conflict of Interest Form 700: Statement of Economic Interests” within thirty (30) days from date of hire and on an annual basis; and complete the CSU sponsored ethics on-line training within thirty (30) days of appointment, and at least once during each consecutive period of two calendar years following the appointment.

Applicants will be required to disclose whether they have received a final administrative decision or final judicial decision determining that they have committed sexual harassment within the last 7 years only after a determination is made that they meet the minimum qualifications for the position, and before an offer of employment is extended. Applicants who reach the final stages of the application process must also sign a release form that authorizes the release of information by the applicant’s current and/or former employers to the CSU concerning any substantiated allegations of misconduct.

Multiple positions may be hired from this recruitment based on the strength of the applicant pool.

If you are applying for a staff position, please note that you are not eligible to work concurrently in a staff position and an Academic Student position such as a Graduate Assistant, Teaching Associate, Instructional Student Assistant, or Student Assistant position.

Regular attendance is considered an essential job function; the inability to meet attendance requirements may preclude the employee from retaining employment.

Employee/applicant who applies for a position may be required to successfully complete job-related performance test(s) as part of the selection process.  

Online application/resume must be received by electronic submission on the final filing date by 9:00 PM (Pacific Standard Time)/midnight (Eastern Standard Time). Applicants who fail to complete all sections of the online application form will be disqualified from consideration. 

California State University, Fullerton is not currently sponsoring any new H-1B petitions for staff, management, or faculty positions.

Effective October 1, 2025, the California State University (CSU) will implement a salary step structure for CSUEU-represented employees in bargaining units 2, 5, 7, and 9. This position may be subject to changes resulting from this implementation, in alignment with the provisions of the collective bargaining agreement.

Hiring Preference

On-Campus CSUEU Employees