PRINCIPAL PURCHASING & CONTRACTS ANALYST

Applications will be accepted starting October 11, 2024, at 7:00 a.m. Pacific Time (PT). This examination will remain open until the needs of the service are met and may close without prior notice.

About the Role

The LA County Board of Supervisors has declared a local state of emergency for homelessness, and the County is expanding its response to address housing, mental health, and substance use. The Internal Services Department is seeking qualified candidates to fill emergency Principal Purchasing & Contracts Analyst vacancies related to this crisis. Under the emergency order, applicants who meet the requirements may be hired for an initial period of up to 90 days, with an opportunity for permanent County employment. Performance will be assessed before the end of this period, and successful candidates may be considered for permanent appointment.

This role is the expert level within the Purchasing and Contract Service of the Internal Services Department, reporting to the Section Manager. The Principal Purchasing & Contracts Analyst independently performs or leads the most complex acquisitions of equipment, supplies, or services, and may lead lower-level analysts or develop Countywide purchasing and contracts policies. Incumbents evaluate requirements, determine solicitation processes, conduct contract negotiations, and ensure compliance with County policies and legal requirements.

This position also provides strategic consultative services in contracts, purchasing, and procurement, collaborating with County operations, end-user departments, local government agencies, small businesses, and community-based organizations—including those serving people experiencing homelessness.

Responsibilities

• Prepares complex solicitation packages, including Requests for Bid (RFBs), Requests for Proposals (RFPs), Invitations to Bid (IFBs), and Requests for Quotations (RFQs).
• Negotiates, drafts, and reviews terms and conditions for agreements and contract awards to ensure protection of County interests, best prices, and compliance.
• Reviews proposed awards with County Counsel and drafts recommendations for the Board of Supervisors.
• Develops evaluation criteria for complex solicitations and evaluates bidder responses based on merit and solicitation terms.
• Analyzes Countywide purchase patterns to identify trends, compliance issues, and strategic purchasing approaches.
• Provides training to user departments on systems, policies, and compliance.
• Administers and audits complex agreements and contracts to ensure compliance with terms and conditions.
• Conducts research to identify new products and services to improve customer relations.
• Collaborates with customer departments to define and plan long-range procurement needs.
• Resolves contractual issues with vendors and clarifies contract terms on behalf of user departments.
• Guides client departments in drafting specifications, Statements of Work (SOWs), and evaluation criteria.
• Reviews vendor protests, researches issues, and facilitates the protest process.
• Acts as lead for Purchasing & Contracts Analysts or assumes Section Manager duties in their absence.

Requirements

To qualify, you must meet one of the following options and clearly express relevant experience in your application:

• Option I: Bachelor’s Degree or higher from an accredited college or university and two years of purchasing and/or contracts experience at the level of Los Angeles County Purchasing and Contracts Analyst II, developing and renewing routine and complex agreements in a formal competitive bid environment.
• Option II: Bachelor’s Degree or higher from an accredited college or university and two years of analytical experience in purchasing, procurement, contracts, or eProcurement Source-to-Pay and two years of journey-level analytical experience.
• Option III: Five years of purchasing and/or contracts experience in a formal competitive bid environment and certification as one of the following:
  • Accredited Purchasing Practitioner (APP) – Institute for Supply Management (ISM)
  • Certified Purchasing Manager (CPM) – ISM
  • Certified Professional in Supply Management (CPSM) – ISM
  • Certified Public Purchasing Buyer (CPPB) – Universal Public Purchasing Certification Council (UPPCC)
  • Certified Public Purchasing Officer (CPPO) – UPPCC

License: A valid California Class C Driver License or ability to use alternative transportation for job-related functions.

Physical Expectations: Light administrative and clerical work, including occasional light lifting (up to 10 pounds) and ambulation. May involve bending, stooping, or squatting.

Additional Information

• Accredited institutions must be recognized by the Department of Human Resources. Degrees from international institutions must be evaluated by a credential evaluation agency recognized by the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services or the Association of International Credential Evaluators, Inc.
• Proof of degree (diploma, transcripts, or official letter) must be attached to the application or emailed to DLin@isd.lacounty.gov within five days of submission. Password-protected documents will not be accepted.
• Certification copies must be attached to the application at the time of filing or within five days.
• Performance will be assessed before the end of the initial 90-day period. Successful candidates may be considered for permanent appointment.
• Appointees will work a Monday through Friday, 5/40 schedule.