Procurement Specialist

Child Care Associates is an equal opportunity employer who offers equal employment opportunities without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, pregnancy, mental or physical disability, political affiliation, beliefs, protected veteran status in accordance with applicable federal laws, or any other protected class. The Procurement Specialist is responsible for coordinating the timely and cost-effective procurement of goods, equipment, and services to support organizational operations. This role builds strong relationships with staff, vendors, and suppliers while ensuring compliance with agency policies, procurement procedures, and internal controls. The Procurement Specialist performs sourcing, price analysis, vendor negotiations, purchase requisition processing, inventory forecasting, and recordkeeping to achieve best value and operational efficiency. The position requires strong customer service, critical thinking, problem-solving, and communication skills, along with a commitment to confidentiality, continuous improvement, and the agency's core values. Travel to agency locations may be required. Ensure goods/equipment/services are procured and delivered in a timely manner. Provide effective, professional communication, both verbally written, with co-workers and members of the public. Develop and maintain good relationships with internal staff, suppliers, and vendors while providing excellent customer service. Create and maintain documentation necessary for the acquisition of goods/equipment/services. Perform sourcing with new and existing vendors and negotiate with vendors on pricing and delivery. Obtain, compare prices, and document sourcing in accordance with policy and procedures. Perform cost analysis and best value determination to find best possible price to minimize costs. Perform critical thinking and problem solving as issues arise. Monitor and forecast when supply will be needed to ensure orders are placed in a timely manner. Prepare and submit accurate purchase requisitions. Track and maintain accurate records of work performed. Assist in developing and implementing procurement processes to ensure efficiency, cost savings, compliance, best value and best practices, as needed. Accept changes and shifts in workload and/or work tasks while maintaining a positive attitude. Maintain confidentiality of sensitive information. Travel to campus locations, as needed. Adhere to the agency’s internal control procedures. Demonstrate agency’s core values. Other duties as assigned. HS Diploma or equivalent. Knowledge of procurement fundamentals and work experience performing procurement functions. Strong customer service and negotiation skills. Excellent written and verbal communication skills with ability to effectively communicate with all levels of internal and external personnel, vendors and customers. Critical thinking skills – observation, analysis, interpretation, reflection, evaluation, inference, explanation, problem solving and decision making. Experience in collecting, documenting and analyzing data. Insured and reliable vehicle for transportation. Must meet all health and safety requirements, including: Passing a pre-employment and/or periodic physical exam Annual TB screening Background check and renewals as required Preferred Experience and Skills: Bachelor’s degree in business management, supply chain management, economics, finance, logistics, and/or have equivalent work experience. Certified Procurement Professional through the State of Texas and/or nationally recognized entity. Experience with MIP software. Working knowledge of State and Federal procurement requirements. Detail-oriented and able to organize workload, adapt quickly to change, and deliver under the pressure of deadlines. Self‑starter who is able to take initiative and learn new tasks quickly and efficiently as well as self‑educate and develop a thorough understanding of policies, procedures and requirements. Must be flexible and support an environment of productivity, healthy morale, and teamwork. Bilingual abilities preferred. Physical Requirements The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these functions. Must be able to frequently walk, stand and sit. Repetitive use of hands; reaching and turning; Ability to lift up to 20 pounds; light lifting of supplies and materials; Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision and the ability to adjust focus. Must be able to twist, turn, kneel, bend and stoop. #J-18808-Ljbffr Child Care Associates