Purchasing Agent II

Pay Grade 15 | Full-time, 37.5 hours per week | Eligible for overtime pay

About the Role

The Cabinet for Health and Family Services (CHFS) is seeking an experienced and dynamic Purchasing Agent II to join the Division of Procurement and Grant Oversight (DPGO). In this role, you will support the mission of CHFS by ensuring the Cabinet has the services needed to enhance the health, safety, and well-being of all Kentuckians. The Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) & Grant Oversight Branch, a core component of DPGO, manages and administers memoranda of understanding, interagency agreements, and related contractual arrangements.

This position offers opportunities for professional growth, a collaborative work environment, and the potential for telecommuting, which may be authorized, modified, or terminated by the agency at any time. Work location varies, with offices throughout Kentucky.

Responsibilities

• Review and analyze procurement requests to determine appropriate procurement methods; advise and support procurement staff while enforcing established processes and deadlines.
• Develop and issue procurement documents, including Special Procurement Requests (SPR1s), contracts, and grant agreements.
• Maintain accurate and complete procurement records within the Cabinet’s tracking system and the Enterprise Management, Administration, and Reporting System (eMARS).
• Identify and analyze procedural issues for management review, and prepare detailed correspondence, reports, and documentation as required.
• Partner with requesting entities to plan, develop, and monitor procurements; assist with specification development and vendor negotiations.
• Collaborate closely with the Office of Legal Services to identify and mitigate contractual and procurement risks.
• Research, interpret, and apply federal and state statutes, administrative regulations, and procurement policies to ensure compliance.
• Participate in internal compliance reviews and support corrective actions as needed.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Graduate of a college or university with a bachelor's degree.
• Five years of purchasing experience.

Substitute education for experience: None.

Substitute experience for education: Additional experience in purchasing, administrative, accounting, procurement, or a related field will substitute for the required education on a year-for-year basis.

• Certification as a Certified Professional Public Buyer (CPPB) substitutes for one year of the required education.
• Certification as a NIGP Certified Procurement Professional (NIGP-CPP), Certified Public Procurement Officer (CPPO), or Certified Grants Management Specialist (CGMS) substitutes for two years of the required education.

Skills

• In-depth knowledge of procurement laws and contract management principles.
• Public procurement experience, including developing and negotiating contracts.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with a proven ability to collaborate with internal and external stakeholders.
• Strong problem-solving abilities and attention to detail.
• Impeccable ethical standards and organizational skills.
• Experience with report applications and Excel is a plus.
• CPPO, CPPB, NIGP-CPP, or NGMA certification is a plus.

Pay

$47,531.28 - $71,298.00 annually

Working Conditions

This role is primarily office-based. The job has an initial and promotional probationary period of 6 months.