Deputy Assistant Purchasing Agent - Harris County Office of Purchasing Agent

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.

Requirements

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.

Preferences

Strong knowledge of public procurement laws and practices, including Texas Local Government Code Chapter 262 and applicable federal, state, and local requirements.