Purchasing Manager

The City of Corona is seeking a strategic, forward-thinking Purchasing Manager to lead our purchasing and warehouse operations with integrity, innovation, and operational excellence. This is a key leadership role within the Finance Department, reporting directly to the Finance Director and guiding a high-performing team responsible for the procurement of materials, supplies, services, and equipment that keep our City running.

As Purchasing Manager, you will do more than oversee transactions-you will shape policy, drive fiscal stewardship, and champion best practices in public procurement. You will lead complex and high-impact initiatives including contract negotiations, formal bid processes, vendor risk analysis, and procurement compliance with state and federal regulations. Your leadership will ensure transparency, fairness, and accountability in every purchasing decision while fostering strong partnerships across City departments.

This management-level position requires a professional who thrives on responsibility and independent decision-making. You will plan, organize, and evaluate purchasing and warehouse functions; implement process improvements and lean initiatives; and serve as a trusted advisor on organizational, managerial, and operational analyses. From policy development and audit oversight to resolving vendor protests and Public Records Act requests, your expertise will guide the City through complex procurement landscapes with confidence and clarity.

If you are a collaborative leader who values integrity, strategic thinking,-and who is passionate about public service and working with an incredible team-we invite you to bring your expertise to the City of Corona and make a meaningful impact on our community.

Characteristics

• An upbeat attitude, eager to participate and actively engage in all aspects of the organization.
• A passion for producing outstanding quality of work and delivering exceptional program outcomes.
• A self-starter with a can-do attitude who will take initiative to address issues and propose solutions.
• Detail and process-oriented individual who prides themselves on high quality, error-free work.
• A high-performing, genuine, authentic individual with a good sense of humor will thrive in this role.
• Unwavering integrity, and principled decision-maker, regardless of outside pressures.

Education and Experience:
Any combination of training and experience that would provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the required qualifications would be:

• Equivalent to a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in business administration, public administration, or a related field.
• Ten (10) years of increasingly responsible technical purchasing and contract administration experience involving a wide variety of materials, supplies, equipment, goods, and services, including at least five (5) years of supervisory experience.
• Five (5) years of increasingly responsible experience with oversight of warehouse operations including inventory control and managing stock levels is desirable.

Skills/Abilities

• Ability to prepare and administer large and complex budgets; allocate limited resources in a cost-effective manner.
• Ability to provide administrative, management, and professional leadership for the purchasing and warehouse divisions.
• Knowledge of principles and practices of budget development and administration.
• Knowledge of warehouse management methods and procedures.
• Ability to negotiate effective purchasing contracts based on quality, quantity and price.
• Knowledge of competitive bidding preparation, evaluation, and award procedures.
• Ability to effectively represent the department and the City in meetings with governmental agencies, community groups, various business, professional, and regulatory organizations.
• Knowledge of contract law, including the California Public Contract Code, Uniform Commercial Code, and City Municipal Code, and purchasing regulations.
  

The City's total operating budget for Fiscal Year 2026 is $422.7 million with a General Fund operating budget of $231.3 million. Corona enjoys a workforce of 935 dedicated employees who provide high-quality services to its residents and visitors each day.

To view the essential duties and responsibilities, click here.

To view the qualifications guidelines, click here.

To view the physical/mental demands and work environment, click here.