PROCUREMENT SPECIALIST SENIOR

Job Summary

This position works under limited supervision and acts as a lead specialist. Develops, negotiates, enters into and administers complex or high-risk contracts, agreements and leases, including intergovernmental and interagency service agreements. This position handles complex procurements that require subject matter expertise and discretion in the field of procurement. May work in cooperation with or on behalf of local and federal government agencies. May develop complex statutorily defined contracts and/or statewide contracts.

Job Duties

• Advise managers, staff and agency partners on procedures for developing contracts or parts of contracts.
• Collaborate with technical resource staff to develop specifications, including scope of work, special terms and conditions etc.
• Collaboratively establishes criteria for requests for proposals.
• Analyze consultative or program service needs and develop solicitation documents and contract specifications.
• Research and analyze products and market trends.
• Translate program requirements into contract terms.
• Evaluate contracts for potential performance risk.
• Develop strategies to minimize potential risk.
• Solicit and evaluate offers.
• Analyze reasonableness of limited competition requests.
• Draft the Determinations and prepare the limited competition direct contracts following the Procurement code and SPO processes.
• Collaborate with the program on the scope of work and justification.
• Devise negotiating strategies with goals and alternatives.
• Negotiate contract or agreement terms to minimize performance risk.
• Negotiate price agreements for services.
• Negotiate contract or agreement renewals, amendments, and plan changes.
• Develop new financial agreements and accelerated delivery schedules to support program needs.
• Consult with Attorney General’s office to facilitate their clarification of legal issues and the approval of contract language.
• Function as liaison between private attorneys and Attorney General’s office.
• Negotiate agreement terms and solve conflict between local and federal government representatives and agency staff.
• Advises management on contract administration.
• Evaluates contractor performance or quality of services.
• Writes contract or agreement amendments or extensions.
• Evaluates appropriateness of contract or agreement remedies in the light of a specific situation.
• Compiles contract status reports.
• Conducts in-depth research and investigations of alleged contract violations and assists with their resolution.
• Develops and writes non-compliance action plans.
• Acts as liaison between contractor and staff.
• Audits and substantiates contractor’s cost data.
• Identifies cost items for proper charging to the contract.
• Setstle claims of a variety of primary contractors.
• Setstle contracts involving work over several years.
• Ensures contract records are maintained in accordance with retention schedules.
• Explain department purchasing, contract or agreement policies to agency program staff.
• Explain and advise staff on State contracting laws, rules, regulations, operating policies, procedures and ethics.
• Explain contract processor terms to contractors.
• Prepare and deliver training to agency staff on procedures, requirements and related issues.
• Analyze data to formulate policy criteria or develop new acquisition techniques.
• Participate in statewide committees to establish and improve specifications, standards, procedures, and policies.
• Develop and implement agency policies and procedures for the effective administration of agency contracting or agreement activities.
• Audit contracts to identify process strengths and weaknesses and areas of non-compliance with regulations and policies.
• Review agency procurement contract or agreement practices for compliance for rules, statutes, policies and practices.
• Collaborate with management and customers to decide corrective actions.
• Provide advice to agency management on market rate and site evaluations.
• Track department metrics and performance.
• Develop continuous improvement plans.
• Lead special projects to completion according to assigned milestone deadlines.
• Collaborate with agency departments and statewide agencies to develop standard work.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities (KSAs)

• Considerable knowledge of public contracts management/acquisition process.
• Considerable knowledge of highly complex and technical commodities/services within scope of responsibility; of business law as it relates to contract formation and administration.
• Thorough knowledge of Arizona Procurement Code and related rules and regulations, as well as DHS/State contract management/acquisition process.
• State government organization and reporting structure, including DHS organizational structure.
• Working knowledge of contract management/acquisition software programs, including the Department's automated system.
• Uniform Commercial Code.
• Federal antitrust laws.
• Marketplace and available community resources.
• Marketing practices and principles.
• Performance Management (PM), and Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) and Lean methodologies.
• Skilled In Project management, negotiation strategies and techniques and dispute mediation.
• Analyzing and establishing priorities.
• Communicating effectively, verbally and in writing.
• Maintaining positive interpersonal relationships.
• Effective time management.
• Use of word processing, spreadsheet, and database applications.
• Providing excellent customer service.

Minimum Qualifications

• Minimum three years’ experience equivalent to that of a Procurement Specialist.
• A Bachelor's degree in business, purchasing, public administration or a related field from an accredited college is preferred.
• Professional certification such as a CPPO, CPPB or C.P.M. from a professional purchasing organization is preferred.

Pre-Employment Requirements

• Driver’s License

Benefits

• Affordable medical and dental insurance plans
• Paid vacation and sick time
• Paid Parental Leave-Up to 12 weeks per year paid leave for newborn or newly-placed foster/adopted child (pilot program)
• 10 paid holidays per year
• Wellness program and plans
• Life insurance
• Short/long-term disability insurance
• Defined retirement plan
• Award winning infant at work program
• Credit union membership
• Transit subsidy
• ADHS Student Assistance Pilot Program

Contact Us

• The State of Arizona is an Equal Opportunity/ Reasonable Accommodation Employer.
• Persons with a disability may request a reasonable accommodation such as a sign language interpreter or an alternative format by emailing steven.santiago@azdhs.gov.
• Requests should be made as early as possible to allow sufficient time to arrange the accommodation.
• DHS is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer.
• All newly hired employees will be subject to E-Verify Employment Eligibility Verification.