Contract Specialist Supervisor

This is a staff position located in the Contracts Division of the county’s central procurement department. The Contracts Division, comprised of three contract teams, supports the strategic contracting and procurement needs of more than 60 Fairfax County government departments through the planning, solicitation, award, and administration of major contracts.

About the role

This position serves as the first-line supervisor of a contract team and performs the full range of supervisory responsibilities, including assigning work, establishing workload priorities, setting performance expectations, coaching employees, evaluating performance, approving leave, resolving employee relations issues, and fostering staff development. Ensures the timely completion of procurements, maintains high-quality work products, promotes consistency in procurement practices, and creates a collaborative, customer-focused team environment.

Provides procurement and contractual guidance to contracting and non-contracting staff in all facets of the acquisition process, including acquisition planning, solicitation development, source selection, cost and price analysis, negotiations, contract award, and contract administration. Reviews the work of subordinate contract specialists to ensure sound judgment, compliance with procurement laws, regulations, policies, and procedures, and the consistent application of best procurement practices. Trains, mentors, and develops staff while providing strategic guidance on complex procurement and contracting issues.

Oversees major acquisitions requiring detailed analysis, negotiations, and executive-level coordination. Serves as the primary liaison with assigned customer departments, providing procurement leadership and strategic acquisition planning. Monitors team workload and performance metrics to ensure customer service objectives and procurement timelines are achieved.

Promotes sustainable and responsible procurement practices; collaborates with the supplier diversity coordinator to enhance participation by small, women-owned, and minority-owned businesses; and coordinates responses to public records requests in accordance with applicable statutory and regulatory requirements. Works closely with the County Attorney's Office, Risk Management Division, and other county stakeholders to resolve complex contractual and procurement matters.

Must possess significant public procurement and contracting expertise to develop and review solicitations, contracts, determinations and findings, sole source and emergency procurement justifications, Board agenda items, contract modifications, and other procurement documents to ensure compliance with applicable laws, regulations, policies, and sound procurement practices.

Responsibilities

• Assign work, establish workload priorities, and set performance expectations for a contract team.
• Coach, evaluate, and develop staff; approve leave and resolve employee relations issues.
• Ensure timely completion of procurements and maintain high-quality work products.
• Provide procurement and contractual guidance across the full acquisition process.
• Review subordinate work for compliance with laws, regulations, and best practices.
• Oversee major acquisitions requiring detailed analysis and executive-level coordination.
• Serve as primary liaison with customer departments for strategic acquisition planning.
• Monitor team workload and performance metrics to meet service objectives.
• Promote sustainable procurement and enhance supplier diversity participation.
• Coordinate responses to public records requests.
• Collaborate with legal, risk management, and other stakeholders on complex matters.
• Develop and review procurement documents to ensure compliance and sound practices.

Requirements

Any combination of education, experience, and training equivalent to the following:

• Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with major course work in public administration, business administration, or a related field, including or supplemented by courses in purchasing and supply management principles, laws, methods, and procedures.
• Five years of progressively responsible experience in technical procurement work, including considerable experience with automated procurement systems.

Certification by a nationally recognized professional purchasing and/or grants organization is required.

The appointee to this position will be required to complete a criminal background check and credit check to the satisfaction of the employer.

Qualifications

• Five or more years of experience in public procurement and contracting working for the government (local, state, federal).
• Two or more years of supervisory experience and demonstrated experience leading, mentoring, and developing professional staff.
• Procurement and contract experience including sourcing and selection of suppliers.
• Experience obtaining products and services for a government organization, including preparing written formal (above $200K) solicitations, receiving and evaluating bids, awarding and administering contracts.
• Experience conducting formal Requests for Proposals (over $200,000).
• At least 5 years of experience developing solicitations, analyzing technical and cost proposals, negotiating contracts and agreements, contract administration, and responding to Freedom of Information (FOIA) requests.
• Working knowledge of the Virginia Public Procurement Act.
• Advanced knowledge of procurement and contract administration.
• Proficient with Microsoft Office Suite, SharePoint, and SAP Enterprise Software – Finance and Logistics.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Bachelor's degree in accounting, business administration, finance, law, contracts, purchasing, economics, public administration, or a related field.

Physical Requirements

Job is generally sedentary in nature. Ability to travel to and attend meetings, conferences, and site visits within and outside the county. All duties performed with or without reasonable accommodations.