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:

• Conducts contract administration activities such as renewing/extending contracts, requesting and reviewing certificates of insurance, and resolving contractual issues
• Develops contract specifications/scopes of work and actively negotiates contract terms to help provide the best value and total cost for the state
• Recommends and develops language to ensure contract terms and conditions are appropriate
• Prepares award documents for signature
• Monitors performance throughout the contract and intervenes when appropriate
• Encourages the use of the existing Vendor Discrepancy Reporting tools, working in collaboration with the State Procurement Office
• 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 and provides backup to buyers at the institutions
• Utilizes a wide variety of lean tools to lead teams and guide the strategic sourcing process
• Reads and studies bulletins, articles, and other literature
• Attends professional events to gain current industry best practices
• Attends and presents at Agency and professional organization meetings
• 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.

If this position requires driving or the use of a vehicle as an essential function of the job, then the following requirements apply. Any employee operating a motor vehicle on State business must possess and retain a current, valid class-appropriate driver's license, complete all required training, and successfully pass all necessary driver's license record checks. The license must be current, unexpired, and neither revoked nor suspended. Employees who drive on state business are subject to driver's license record checks, must maintain acceptable driving records, and must complete all required driver training. An employee who operates a personally owned vehicle on state business shall maintain the statutorily required liability insurance (see Arizona Administrative Code (A.A.C.) R2-10-207.11).

In an effort to maintain a safe environment, all employees are required to take a Tuberculosis (TB) test during their New Employee Orientation and every year thereafter.

All newly hired State employees are subject to and must successfully complete the Electronic Employment Eligibility Verification Program (E-Verify). 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

Learn more about the Paid Parental Leave program here. For a complete list of benefits provided by The State of Arizona, please visit our benefits page. Retirement: Positions in this classification participate in the Arizona State Retirement System (ASRS). Enrollment eligibility will become effective after 27 weeks of employment.

Current ADCRR Employees: Consult with your respective Human Resources Liaison if you are in a different retirement plan than the one indicated above.

Contact Us: The State of Arizona is an Equal Opportunity/Reasonable Accommodation Employer. Persons with a disability may request a reasonable accommodation such as a sign language interpreter or