Deputy Assistant Purchasing Agent - Harris County Office of Purchasing Agent

The Deputy Assistant Purchasing Agent serves as the principal deputy to the Purchasing Agent and plays a key leadership role supporting county-wide procurement operations for the 3rd largest county in America. This position supports operational, administrative, and strategic activities that impact approximately 5 million residents, 20,000 employees across 80 departments, and $5.5 billion in annual expenditures spanning more than 3,000 contracts. Duties and Responsibilities Support the Purchasing Agent in directing county-wide procurement operations, including purchasing services, strategic sourcing, and administrative functions, ensuring statutory and policy compliance. Oversee agenda-driven procurement actions for Commissioners Court and other governing bodies, ensuring accuracy, completeness, and alignment with legal requirements of all documentation. Provide operational oversight of requisition processing, competitive solicitations, contract development, and workflow coordination; monitor timelines and resolve bottlenecks. Review and validate procurement records, solicitations, evaluation documentation, and contract files to ensure audit readiness and appropriate retention. Serve as a central point of coordination between departments, vendors, internal stakeholders, and governing bodies to resolve procurement issues and maintain operational continuity. Act on behalf of the Purchasing Agent and Assistant Purchasing Agent when delegated, representing the office, supporting decision-making, providing leadership across procurement and personnel management functions. Ability to manage dispersed purchasing teams as a contract service. Lead, develop, support, and retain a high performing team in a fast paced, high volume work environment. Effectively manage competing priorities, ensure staff accountability, and maintain operational continuity during periods of elevated workload or organizational change. Builds and maintains strong working relationships with internal and external stakeholders, including departments, vendors, and executive leadership. Communicates complex procurement matters clearly, facilitates collaborative problem solving, and represents the department with professionalism and responsiveness. Education Bachelor’s degree in Procurement, Supply Chain, Business Administration, Public Administration, Government, Public Policy, or a closely related field. Experience At least eight (8) years of progressive experience in public procurement, contract management, or government operations within complex, high-volume procurement environments. Experience supporting executive-level or agenda-driven processes and working with governing bodies. Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Extensive knowledge of public procurement principles, competitive solicitation methods, and contract administration, including application of Texas Local Government Code Chapter 262. Ability to interpret and apply procurement laws and policies and exercise sound judgment in high-visibility, complex purchasing decisions. Strong operational understanding of county-wide procurement functions, including requisition-to-award processes and agenda-driven actions. Advanced analytical and problem‑solving skills; ability to resolve operational issues and ensure audit readiness. Strong leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills, with the ability to engage senior leadership, elected officials, vendors, and stakeholders. Demonstrated ability to lead, develop, and support a high performing team through mentoring, employee development and other proven retention strategies. Note Qualifying education, experience, knowledge, and skills must be documented in your job application. You may attach a resume to the application as supporting documentation but only information stated on the application will be used for consideration. “See Resume” will not be accepted for qualifications. Position Type and Typical Hours of Work This is a full‑time position with the typical work hours of Monday – Friday from 8 AM to 5 PM. Occasional weekends, holidays, and overtime may be required based on the specific needs and demands of the department. Work Environment and Physical Demands This position is designated as essential and may be required to work during peak operational periods and declared emergency events, ensuring critical procurement functions continue without interruption. Primarily office‑based with routine use of standard office equipment across multiple locations. Predominantly sedentary work with occasional standing/walking; may require lifting up to 10 pounds. Location Harris County Purchasing Office Building – 1111 Fannin St 12th Floor, Houston, TX 77002. Compensation Annual Salary Range: Depends on Experience. Reporting Relationships Reports To: Purchasing Agent. Employment Conditions Employment may be contingent on passing a drug screen and meeting other standards. Due to a high volume of applications positions may close prior to the advertised closing date or at the discretion of the Hiring Department. Harris County is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Email for accommodations: View email address on click.appcast.io This position is subject to a criminal history check. Only relevant convictions will be considered and, even when considered, may not automatically disqualify the candidate. #J-18808-Ljbffr Harris County