Procurement Specialist

About the role

This position manages procurements of goods and nonprofessional services and has responsibility for the management of contract activities, working under limited supervision of the Procurement Program Supervisor. The role requires the ability to work independently and collaborate with other departments and divisions to contract for a wide variety of services, including managing entity-wide contracts across the organization.

Responsibilities

• Manages competitive procurement process, formal and informal, in compliance with the Virginia Public Procurement Act and Fairfax Water policies and procedures.
• Manages strategic sourcing through various procurement methods, including competitive negotiation, competitive sealed bidding, and cooperative procurements for a wide variety of goods and/or services.
• Assists requisitioners in the development, review, modification, and approval of specifications and/or scopes of work for solicitations and/or contracts.
• Researches sources of supply to determine the availability of existing public contracts to satisfy user requirements.
• Determines appropriate procurement method and conducts pre-bid and pre-proposal conferences.
• Completes evaluation of bids and proposals for compliance with the solicitation requirements and documents procurement process.
• Prepares complete agreements identifying appropriate and applicable terms and conditions for purchase of goods and/or services.
• Assists with review and editing of Board Items for contract awards and creates purchase orders under the authority delegated by the Procurement Manager.
• Works with supervisor to negotiate contract changes with contractors and performs contract administration functions.
• Prepares materials, reports, and supporting documentation on procurement-related matters for Executive Management and Fairfax Water’s Board.
• May be required to deliver internal Procurement training, as assigned, and maintains complete procurement file documentation.
• Testifies in court to support Fairfax Water’s actions or interest in procurement or contract disputes, as required.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration or other business-related field from an accredited college or university.
• At least three years of progressively responsible experience in management of complex procurements, including information technology, facility operations, construction, professional/non-professional services, and management of awarded contracts.
• Certified Professional Public Buyer (CPPB), Certified Public Procurement Officer (CPPO), or ability to obtain within one year of employment.
• Knowledge of Virginia Public Procurement Act preferred, procurement policies, regulations, procedures, and procurement best practices.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with supervisors, co-workers, internal and external customers, and the general public.
• Considerable experience in state and/or local government procurement and contract administration.
• Ability to use sound judgment in making independent decisions and prepare clear and concise reports.
• Experience drafting, procurements, specifications, and contracts, as well as negotiating complex and technical contracts, change orders, amendments, and renewals.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills and experience in SAP Ariba Supplier Lifecycle Performance, Sourcing, and Contract, Supplier Management, or other similar Enterprise Resource Planning systems.
• Considerable sound judgment and problem-solving skills used in decision-making and expertise in MS Office with a high level of proficiency in Teams, Word, and Excel, and experience using PowerPoint.

Skills

• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with supervisors, co-workers, internal and external customers, and the general public.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills.
• Experience in SAP Ariba Supplier Lifecycle Performance, Sourcing, and Contract, Supplier Management, or other similar Enterprise Resource Planning systems.
• Considerable sound judgment and problem-solving skills used in decision-making.
• Expertise in MS Office with a high level of proficiency in Teams, Word, and Excel, and experience using PowerPoint.