Senior Procurement Specialist

Procurement Specialist

Position is responsible for the procurement of moderate to highly technical/complex commodities and services including the procurement of architectural and engineering services, construction, and related supplies and services required by various departments in accordance with all applicable federal, state and local laws, policies and procedures utilizing solicitation methods including Requests for Quotations (RFQs), Invitations for Bids (IFBs), and Requests for Proposals (RFPs) in accordance with legal requirements and school division policies/procedures.

Essential Duties

1. Ensures compliance with federal and state procurement law, school division policies and procedures, state and federal antitrust law, the Uniform Commercial Code, other procurement-related law.
2. Promotes efficient, cost-effective business practices in establishing contracts and ensures compliance with sound business practices.
3. Establishes strategic sourcing plans for all assigned commodities.
4. Improves procurement efficiency through compliance reviews, procurement analysis and consultation.
5. Provides guidance and direction to departments/schools regarding solicitation specifications/requirements, legal provisions, ethical issues, management of vendor performance, and contract interpretation/administration; ensures the integrity of the government procurement process is upheld.
6. Develops routine and moderate to highly technical/complex specifications, special instructions/conditions, and requirements for RFQ and IFB solicitations; evaluates quotes/bids and recommends award of contracts to the lowest responsive and responsible bidder.
7. Conducts analysis of vendor cost/price proposals and construction schedules of values; negotiates change order proposals; performs assessment of CPI/PPI adjustments and division-wide cost analysis of operations for services requested; conducts best-value analysis, life cycle cost analysis, and lease/purchase analysis.
8. Serves as mentor and advisor to procurement staff for sourcing, contracting, contract administration, and contract forecasting.
9. Develops scope of work and requirements for RFPs in conjunction with departments/schools; establishes evaluation methodologies; determines pricing structures and negotiation strategies for competitive negotiations.
10. Chairs RFP evaluation committees; facilitates committee sessions; evaluates proposals; conducts competitive negotiation sessions; recommends contract award to the most qualified offeror; prepares/reviews legal contract verbiage/document.
11. Conducts pre-bid and pre-proposal conferences with prospective bidders and offerors; prepares/issues written addenda as required.
12. Serves as a liaison between the school division and prospective bidders/offerors and vendors. Interviews vendors to maintain technical knowledge of goods/services and to stay abreast of product developments/market conditions.
13. Monitors vendor performance and initiates corrective action within legal parameters of contractual provisions as necessary; assesses nonperformance situations and initiates contractual default/breach proceedings as required.
14. Formulates and presents determinations/findings based on sufficient substantiation/justification to withstand legal scrutiny of procurement decisions/actions.
15. Prepares reports and formal correspondence.
16. Recommends and assists in development and maintenance of public contracting policies/procedures; updates solicitation formats to comply with changes in government procurement laws, regulations and/or policies.
17. Models nondiscriminatory practices in all activities.

Minimum Qualifications

• Must possess a Bachelor's degree in business, public administration, or a related field and considerable related experience in a governmental purchasing environment; or any equivalent combination of education and experience that would provide the noted knowledge, skills, and abilities.
• Must have significant professional public sector experience in contract administration and procurement.
• Must possess strong analytical and problem solving skills. Must have proven expertise in researching, developing, writing Service Level Agreements (SLAs), Memorandums of Agreement (MOAs), Memorandums of Understanding (MOU), Professional Services procurements, and Construction procurements.
• Must possess considerable knowledge of governmental procurement law; and the ability to analyze/interpret legislation, policies, procedures, and procurement documents. Must possess considerable knowledge of, and the ability to practically apply governmental purchasing concepts, techniques, and principles to include "best practice" control and monitoring techniques, complex contract provisions, basic terms/conditions, and bonding/insurance requirements.
• Must possess a demonstrated ability to identify, select, and negotiate with vendors/contractors. Must possess the ability to make sound purchasing recommendations/decisions and prepare supporting substantiation/justification.
• Must possess considerable experience with and working knowledge of programs such as small, women owned, and minority (SWaM) businesses and the small purchases charge card (Pcard), as well as the Virginia eProcurement Portal (eVA).
• Must possess skills in the operation and use of microcomputer applications to include word processing, spreadsheet, and database software.
• Must possess excellent communication, analytical, negotiation, and interpersonal skills.
• Must possess the ability to establish/maintain effective working relationships with vendors, school division personnel, and the general public. CPPB, VCO, or similar certification required.
• Must have a minimum of 5 years of procurement experience or any combination of education, certifications, and experience equivalent to 5 years.