ASSISTANT PURCHASING AGENT
Exam openExam status, as of November 4, 2026. Our captured announcement shows a promotional examination for MERCER COUNTY (symbol PC4106H) accepting applications until November 23, 2026. Confirm current status with CSC. Only employees with permanent status in the unit it names may file. Exam schedule
Eligible lists, as of November 4, 2026. An eligible list is in force. The newest, for Plainfield, was promulgated October 1, 2026 and expires September 30, 2028, 1 name as issued. See the lists
Provisional hiring can precede the examination. See the provisional route
Rules that apply to this title
A guide to the rules, not legal advice.
New Jersey treats Assistant Purchasing Agent as a competitive-class job, so the gate is an examination and the ranked list it produces rather than a direct offer.
The spec names a bachelor's degree, but it leaves the door open to substitute experience for the degree.
How to apply
This title is filled by competitive examination.
See every real route in, and where to apply. We don't track live vacancies.
See where to apply for this title →Examination announcements for this title
Promotional announcements
A promotional announcement for this title is accepting applications as of November 3, 2026. A promotional examination produces its own eligible list and is open only to people who already hold permanent status in a qualifying title within the department named on the row, not across that employer generally; filing without eligibility means an ineligible determination and no refund of the fee.
| Title | Symbol | State or local, and unit who may file | Closes | Status | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ASSISTANT PURCHASING AGENT$89,766 to $115,996 a yearOpen to any competitive title meeting the stated requirements | PC4106H | LocalMercer CountyFinance | November 23, 2026 | Open | Announcement |
Every row is CSC's own; see the full announcement calendar.
This title at the Civil Service Commission
The Civil Service Commission's minutes record 2 matters naming it since January 16, 2019: examination eligibility (2).
- In the Matter of Carolyn Sylvester, Assistant Purchasing Agent (PC3912D), Sussex County CSC Docket No. 2023-214 · September 21, 2022 · Examination eligibility · Denied
- In the Matter of Emma Smith, Assistant Purchasing Agent (PC0345A), Sussex County CSC Docket No. 2020-1355 · January 15, 2020 · Examination eligibility · Granted
Eligible lists for this title
An eligible list ranks the people who passed an examination, and appointments are made from it until it expires. One list for this title is on record, 1 still in force.
| State or local | Kind and symbol | Promulgated | Expires | On the list |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| LocalPlainfield | Open competitiveM1042G | October 1, 2026 | September 30, 2028 | 1 |
Read from the Civil Service Commission's eligible list site, which we have read since October 24, 2026. The Commission posts each list for three months after it is issued and we keep it after that. The count is the list as issued, before appointments, removals or appeals change it. This site shows list-level facts only.
Where this title leads
Examinations in the Commission record
Examination symbols named in Civil Service Commission matters about ASSISTANT PURCHASING AGENT, with how many matters named each and when they were decided. A symbol identifies one examination announcement.
Salaries stated in examination announcements
One Civil Service Commission examination announcement has stated a salary for this title. Local pay is set by each employer under its own ordinance or contract, so this is one employer's figure for one position rather than a rate for the title.
| Employer | Salary as published | Basis | Announcement |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mercer CountyFinance | $89,766.00 ~ $115,996.00 | A year | November 2026 |
Each figure is quoted as the Civil Service Commission printed it in that employer's announcement on the date shown. It is evidence of what was advertised then, not a statement of what the position pays now, and an announcement does not say whether a post is full or part time. No average, range or comparison is given across employers, because each sets its own pay and nothing here establishes that two of these positions are alike. Where an employer has announced the title more than once for the same department, only its most recent figure is shown. How this data is sourced.
Where this title is used
Assistant Purchasing Agent is a local service title. It is filled by the counties, municipalities, authorities and other employers that have adopted civil service under Title 11A, not by State departments. Those employers set pay by ordinance or contract rather than from a State salary schedule, which is why most local titles carry no salary range here.
Check whether an employer is a civil service jurisdiction · How local civil service works
Official job specification
The text below is the official specification published by the New Jersey Civil Service Commission. The plain-language summary and analysis above are derived from it by NJ Civil Service Navigator. Source: the official specification page at NJ CSC.
Definition
Assists the Purchasing Agent by performing supervisory and highly complex tasks involved in the purchasing of supplies; does related work as required.
Examples of work
Assists in developing purchasing methods, procedures, and records in accord with prescribed laws, rules, regulations, standards, policies, and procedures. Prepares purchase requisitions and specifications. Reviews purchase requisitions for varied operating and maintenance equipment, materials, and supplies for accuracy and suitability. Enters and checks prices on requisitions. Supervises staff in the checking of purchase orders against requisitions to ensure accuracy of prices and quality of goods. Supervises staff in the preparation and completion of purchase orders. Ensures that merchandise ordered is received in good condition. Prepares reports. Maintains, classifies, indexes, and cross-references records and files. Will be required to learn to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and computerized information systems used by the agency, office, or related units.
Knowledge, skills and abilities
Knowledge of procedures used in making purchases. Knowledge of methods and standards used in the preparation of purchase orders and specifications. Knowledge of the types of information needed to complete purchase orders. Ability to supervise staff in the preparation of purchase requisitions and specifications. Ability to ensure the accuracy of prices and quality of goods purchased. Ability to ensure compliance with standards and procedures used in the preparation of purchase orders and specifications. Ability to review specifications and recommend suitable action. Ability to learn to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and information systems used by the agency, office, or related units. Ability to read, write, speak, understand, or communicate in English sufficiently to perform the duties of this position. American Sign Language or Braille may also be considered as acceptable forms of communication. Persons with mental or physical disabilities are eligible as long as they can perform essential functions of the job with or without reasonable accommodation. If the accommodation cannot be made because it would cause the employer undue hardship, such persons may not be eligible.
Note
The definition and examples of work for this title are for illustrative purposes only. A particular position using this title may not perform all duties listed in this job specification. Conversely, all duties performed on the job may not be listed. Applicants must meet one of the following or a combination of both experience and education. Thirty (30) semester hour credits are equal to one (1) year of relevant experience. Eight (8) years of professional experience in the writing of purchase specifications and in the purchase of equipment, materials, and supplies in a large government or private agency. OR Possession of a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university; and four (4) years of the above-mentioned professional experience. "Professional experience" refers to work that is creative, analytical, evaluative, and interpretive; requires a range and depth of specialized knowledge of the profession's principles, concepts, theories, and practices; and is performed with the authority to act according to one's own judgment and make accurate and informed decisions. In order to be eligible for the Purchasing Agent title all applicants will be required to possess a valid Qualified Purchasing Agent (QPA) certification issued by the State Division of Local Government Services, in the Department of Community Affairs. Appointees will be required to possess a driver's license valid in New Jersey only if the operation of a vehicle, rather than employee mobility, is necessary to perform the essential duties of the position.