Construction Procurement Professional or Specialist

About the role

The University of Connecticut is seeking a Construction Procurement Specialist or Construction Procurement Professional to join an established team of procurement and construction professionals. This is a unique opportunity to contribute to projects that directly enhance the campus environment and student experience.

Responsibilities

• Conduct solicitation processes for procuring contractors, design professional services, and facilities-related goods and services.
• Aid in developing standardized procedures, templates, and documents for construction related procurement procedures.
• Evaluate sources that can provide essential goods and services to support the University’s needs.
• Maintain accurate procurement records, contract files, and documentation for audit and reporting purposes.
• Assist departments in developing scopes of work, specifications, and solicitation requirements for construction and facilities-related procurements.
• Coordinate bid openings, proposal evaluations, and award recommendation processes.
• Manage the solicitation process for complex projects including procuring construction managers at risk, contractors, and design professional services, including Prequalification, Invitations to Bid, and Request for Proposals.
• Manage the University’s on-call construction related programs including the primary contact to stakeholders and contractors, track and analyze spend, and address contractor performance matters.
• Assist with contract development, negotiation, and contractor selection.
• Support contract administration activities, including change orders, claims, delays, and related contract issues.
• Ensure compliance with applicable policies, procedures, and regulations.
• Collaborate with University departments to support procurement planning, scheduling, and project delivery.
• Participate in meetings and prepare reports, documentation, and presentations, as needed.
• Proactively identify potential issues and collaborate effectively with CPFP team and stakeholders to develop well-considered solutions that address stakeholder needs while aligning with the University’s best interests.

Qualifications

• For the Construction Procurement Professional (P2): Five (5) or more years of related experience OR a Bachelor's degree in related field and one (1) year of related experience procuring related goods and services OR an Associate’s degree in related field and three (3) years’ experience procuring related goods and services.
• For the Construction Procurement Specialist (P4): Eight (8) years of related experience OR a Bachelor's degree in related field and four (4) years of related experience procuring related goods and services OR an Associate’s degree in related field and six (6) years’ experience in procuring related goods and services.
• The ability to collaborate effectively with contractors, design professionals, engineers, consultants, and facilities staff in support of procurement activities.
• Possess a general working knowledge of accepted procurement practices for construction and facilities-related services.
• The ability to evaluate services and products to determine technical compliance and resolve discrepancies.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or an advanced degree preferably in design and/or a construction related discipline such as construction management, architecture, or engineering.
• Strong background in construction procurement with demonstrated knowledge of contracting, scheduling, and construction methods, including procurement of design professional services acquired through work in the construction industry.
• Working knowledge in contractor and design professional services proposal analysis, commodity forecasting, quality assessment, and value analysis.
• The ability to analyze data, business, and market trends, and provide informed, actionable recommendations.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to effectively communicate with diverse audiences.
• Strong supervisory skills and the ability to effectively train and develop less experienced procurement staff.
• Familiarity with following software applications: Jaggaer (eProcurement Solution), KFS (Kuali Financial Systems), Oracle Unifier, and/or other commercial planning and project management software.
• Knowledge of state statutes, and federal regulations as they relate to the construction industry.