PROCUREMENT SPECIALIST

Procurement Specialist

The Arizona Department of Corrections, Rehabilitation and Reentry (ADCRR) is seeking a government procurement expert to assume the role of Procurement Specialist to develop and implement sourcing solicitations for the procurement of goods and services. This position manages a high volume of diverse contracts and supports management by providing industry analysis and recommendations to complex current and future requirements and service contracts.

Job Duties:

• Develops contract specifications/scopes of work and actively negotiates contract terms to help provide the best value and total cost for the state
• Makes recommendations and develops language to ensure contract terms and conditions are appropriate
• Prepares award documents for signature
• Conducts contract administration activities such as extending contracts, requesting and reviewing certificates of insurance, and resolving contractual issues
• Monitors performance throughout the contract, intervening when appropriate
• Encourages the use of the existing Vendor Discrepancy Reporting tools, working in collaboration with the State Procurement Office as needed
• Acts as a resource for staff, providing technical support to all Divisions within the Agency related to procurement and contract issues
• Assists in training Agency staff involved in the procurement process
• May provide backup to buyers at the institutions
• Utilizes a wide variety of lean tools to lead teams and guide the strategic sourcing process
• Contributes to all strategic sourcing, compliance, and process continuous improvements, while learning and growing in capabilities and supply chain and compliance knowledge
• Reads and studies bulletins, articles, and other literature
• Attends professional development events to gain current industry best practices
• Attends and presents at agency and professional organization meetings, as needed
• Drives on State business
• Performs other duties appropriate to the assignment

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities (KSAs): Knowledge of:

• Federal and State rules, statutes, and regulations related to procurement activities and contract administration
• Best practices to determine appropriate sourcing strategies/methods
• Lean tools and methods
• Effective negotiation and relationship-building methods and techniques
• Research methods for supply chain, logistics, and resource management
• Budget development and expenditure control
• Solicitation techniques
• Computers and various software programs (Microsoft Office, Google Suite, e-procurement system, or mobile application)
• General accounting practices as they relate to contracts and vendors
• Supply sourcing, local and national markets, and price trends

Skill in:

• Developing and implementing various sourcing strategies based on business strategic goals/objectives
• Interpreting applicable laws, rules, policies, and procedures
• Conducting data analysis to produce effective and accountable contracts
• Developing and maintaining customer and supplier relationships
• Leading various project teams
• Written and verbal communication with a wide range of customers, suppliers, and internal stakeholders at all levels
• Negotiating contractual terms and conditions
• Developing effective monitoring and reporting tools to ensure contractual terms are being adhered to or in compliance
• Interpreting business issues and recommending solutions/best practices

Ability to:

• Develop and implement sourcing strategies
• Establish and maintain effective customer and supplier relationships
• Monitor workload to ensure accountability
• Communicate with a wide variety of customers, internal stakeholders at all levels, and suppliers
• Work in a dynamic team environment with changing goals and priorities
• Maintain a high level of professional behavior and integrity

Selective Preference(s): A Bachelor's Degree in business, public administration, accounting, finance, supply chain management or equivalent years of direct experience. Pre-Employment Requirements: Employment is contingent on the selected applicant passing a background investigation.

Benefits: We offer an excellent and affordable comprehensive benefits package to meet the needs of our employees:

• Vacation and sick days with 10 paid holidays per year
• Paid Parental Leave-Up to 12 weeks per year paid leave for newborn or newly-placed foster/adopted child (pilot program).
• Robust and affordable insurance plan to include medical, dental, life, short-term and long-term disability options
• Exceptional retirement program
• Optional employee benefits such as deferred compensation plans, credit union membership, and a wellness program
• An incentivized commuter club and public transportation subsidy program