Job Specification Details

Supervisory, technical and administrative work involving the management of a major area of procurement in the Office of Purchasing and Contracting. This position supervises the activities of Buying Team involving the procurement of materials, commodities, supplies, contracted services and equipment and is responsible for all aspects of staff supervision including hiring, performance evaluations, and employee discipline.

Provides professional, technical, and managerial work involving procurement and execution of commodity and service contracts to support multiple agencies across the entire state, with each imposing various but distinct complexities and unique underpinnings. Directly responsible for the full procurement of contracts from sourcing to final execution.

Performs activities at a senior professional level. Develops and recommends solutions to the most difficult of problems encountered and serves as a direct resource in mentoring others in the department.  Technical expert in multiple areas and serves as a Team Leader on specific projects on a regular basis.

Works independently with all levels of management within the department as well as across state government. Ensures compliance with and adherence to a change management environment; promoting continuous improvement in procurement processes, tools, templates, and services.

Manages staff performance including hiring, performance reviews, assigning work, and setting workgroup goals and reporting methodologies. Defines performance metrics and oversees metric reporting and monthly management reporting.

Ability to effectively manage multiple projects amid shifting priorities and tight deadlines.

This position will oversee the operations of the office as acting Director of OPC, attends and participates at the senior staff meetings and other meetings as may occur. Briefs Director about on-going issues and perform duties assigned by the Director as required, and in a timely and sufficient manner.

Provide support and guidance to all state agencies and departments in the area of commodity and service contracting, and such other contracting processes as may be required. This includes:  a) informing as to BGS's policies and procedures to be followed for various types of contracts; b) provide advice/recommendations as to the various types of contracting methodologies, such as formal procurement process, simplified bids, sole source, payment methods, etc.; c) address questions/concerns as needed.

Provides information and support to the vendor community in regard to contracting with the State. This includes:  a) responding to vendor's questions and concerns regarding procedures; b) responding to contractor's inquiries and concerns regarding specific contract language including discussion of contract type, payment provisions, terms of contracts, and other contract related issues; c) general outreach.

Commodity Procurement: Prepares and/or reviews detailed specifications for various product/service areas for more complicated requests. Advises agency officials concerning their purchase requests and works through any problems that arise with the same. Prepares bid and contract proposals and solicits bids from vendors and tradespersons. Analyzes and evaluates quotations on basis of price, adherence to specifications, delivery, test results, past experience, and other pertinent factors. Establishes contracts with vendors to provide goods and services needed by state agencies to perform their respective missions.

Training/Outreach: Represents the division in meetings with other agencies/departments to provide training/guidance on state purchasing procedures at a higher level than the other Purchasing Agents.

Duties are performed in an office setting. Incumbent interacts with internal and external customers requiring professional conduct.

Expert level knowledge of contracting procedures, principles, practices, guidelines and policies.

Thorough knowledge and understanding of nomenclature, trade terminology, and sources of supply of assigned classes of items.

Expert level knowledge of Agency and State procedures and guidelines, and policies.

Considerable knowledge of specification writing.

Advanced computer skills.

Ability to establish and maintain an effective working relationship with associates, agency officials, sales representatives, vendors and the business community as a whole.

Must have strong communication and collaboration skills and experience.

Must have excellent oral and written skills, and possess strong meeting and work session facilitation skills.

Must have the ability to work independently and as part of a team, the ability to manage time and resources to meet assigned deadlines.

Must have excellent organizational skills, proven analytical, planning, problem solving, and decision-making skills.

Strong and demonstrated interpersonal skills. The ability to organize and lead teams that are cross-functional and multi-dimensional in nature, write operational procedures, and prepare functional user documentation. Ability to plan, prepare and conduct, functional user training in formal classroom settings, as well as on an individual basis.

Five (5) or more years of experience in supply chain management, purchasing, contract administration, or related field.

OR

Three (3) years or more as a State Purchasing Agent II or State Senior Purchasing Agent with the State of Vermont.

Associate’s degree or higher in business management, accounting, law, or related field.

Experience as a paralegal or legal assistant. 

Professional certification such as Certified Public Procurement Officer (CPPO).