Director of Procurement

Responsibilities

• Provides direction, training, and technical guidance to procurement staff.
• Provides training to University staff on procurement protocols and best practices.
• Aids in overseeing, planning, directing, organizing, and authorizing all procurement activities for the University.
• Prepares, initiates, and manages simple to complex procurement requests for a variety of commodities and services.
• Prepares and solicits competitive solicitations for Invitations to Bid, Request for Quotes, Request for Proposals, etc.
• Captures and facilitates pre-bid meetings and proposal evaluation meetings.
• Evaluates vendors' quotes and proposals to determine compliance with stated specifications and conditions; Recommends award of purchase contracts to vendors proposing rates and conditions most favorable in the interest of the University.
• Represents or serves as member of various committees involving procurement projects.
• Attends meetings and provides input based on expertise in procurement policies and procedures.
• Identifies opportunities to leverage the university’s purchasing strength by coordinating University-wide contracting and purchasing where feasible.
• Ensures that policies, procedures and required forms are updated as necessary to reflect current practices and are effectively communicated to the user community via the University’s website and other communication methods.
• Ensures the use of University, State and Cooperative Contracts where applicable.
• Interacts with campus liaisons to coordinate sourcing and procurement protocols for contracts, bidding, etc.
• Provides testimony in bid protest disputes.
• Evaluates contractor’s performance against terms and conditions of contracts and recommends corrective actions, such as the application of damages, withholding of payment or termination of contract.
• Confers with the University’s general counsel and Assistant Attorney General’s Office regarding bid irregularities, contract disputes, protests, vendor compliance or appeals and Public Information Act requests.
• Verifies Certificates of Insurance, Bonds, and references for compliance with contract requirements.
• Verifies Minority Business Enterprise (MBE) participation;
• Implements new and revised fiscal policies, procedures, and standards.
• Provides technical assistance and support to University faculty and staff;
• Applies procurement laws and agency procurement policies and procedures relative to the administrative duties associated with contract preparation and administration.
• Aids in overseeing the University’s compliance with State of Maryland Corporate Purchasing Card Program and the State of Maryland Minority Business Enterprise Utilization program.
• Ensures compliance with applicable federal, State and University System of Maryland’s procurement regulations, policies and procedures established by the University System of Maryland and State of Maryland.
• Reviews routine purchase requests to determine proper sources and most efficient methods of acquisition; Processes requisitions; selects vendors, utilizes the appropriate procurement method; prepares and issues purchase orders.
• Receives and investigates complaints and inquiries pertaining to purchases, receipts, bid awards, invoices, etc., conferring with parties involved and reviewing available documentation.
• Prepares verbal and/or written responses and recommendations as appropriate.
• Prepares reports for the VP for Administration and Finance and other University officials, as requested, or otherwise deemed appropriate.

Qualifications

• Education: Bachelor's Degree from an accredited college or university preferably in a business-related field.
• Experience: Four (4) years of progressively responsible experience in public procurement processes such as soliciting formal solicitations (Invitation to Bid, Request for Quotes, Request for Proposals, etc., evaluating, negotiating, and awarding contracts, advertising procurement opportunities, distributing specifications to vendors, coordinating bidder evaluation committees, and conducting vendor debriefs).
• Knowledge and Understanding: Knowledge, Skills, And Abilities Excellent communication skills, both written and oral.Strong problem solving and analytical skills.Skilled in the use of Microsoft Software Package (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).
• Preferred Qualifications: One of the following Preferred Education Level/Certifications: Certified Professional in Supply Management (CPSM or C.P.M.)Certified Public Purchasing Officer (CPPO)Certified Professional Public Buyer (CPPB)Certified Professional Contract Manager (CPCM)