Purchasing Supervisor

About the Role

Under the supervision of the Shared Services Contracts and Purchasing Manager, the Purchasing Supervisor serves as a strategic leader and advocate for the purchasing team, managing the acquisition of high‑volume goods and services for the 23 VCCS colleges, the System Office, and the Shared Services Center. Acts as a primary liaison between SSC buyers and external college stakeholders to resolve complex disputes and ensure policy consistency. Responsible for cultivating a safe work environment, driving operational excellence through implementation of quality control frameworks, and mentoring a diverse staff of Lead Buyers and Buyer Specialists.

Responsibilities

• Perform managerial/supervisory activities including monitoring, reviewing, and evaluating performance of approximately 11 staff members (2 Lead Buyers and 9 Buyer Specialists).
• Ensure purchases are performed accurately, timely, and in accordance with applicable VCCS and state policies and laws.
• Solicit and issue contracts for goods and services as needed by SSC customers using a variety of procurement methods.
• Manage all daily, transactional high‑volume purchases.
• Analyze market data to make appropriate best‑value, compliant sourcing decisions.
• Organize and design the team to ensure speed and accuracy are achieved.
• Employ best business practices to continuously improve performance, compliance, efficiency, and effectiveness of the procurement team.
• Assist the Contracts and Purchasing Manager and the Procurement Operations Manager in streamlining and resolving operations‑related procurement issues.

Knowledge and Skills

• Knowledge of governmental procurement principles and ability to follow procurement policy and standard operating procedures.
• Servant‑leadership principles and practices that support empathy, active listening, stewardship, and the creation of inclusive environments.
• Employment mediation techniques and neutral facilitation.
• Proficiency with eVA (state procurement system) and Commonwealth of Virginia procurement policies (VPPA, APSPM, etc.) and VCCS policies.
• Energetic, resourceful, and self‑directed.
• Willingness to stay on the forefront of procurement best practices.
• Expertise in MS Office products and demonstrated ability to perform data analysis using Excel.
• Ability to learn and apply purchasing, procurement, and sourcing principles and practices.
• Lead a team to continually seek higher levels of efficiency and compliance.
• Manage sensitive personnel information with total confidentiality and neutrality.
• Analyze market data to make appropriate sourcing decisions.
• Effectively lead or supervise staff and develop staff knowledge, skills, and abilities.
• Exercise sound judgment, take initiative, handle multiple competing priorities, solve problems, and attend to detail while maintaining a big‑picture perspective.
• Think creatively, objectively, and continuously improve business processes, transferring those skills to others.
• Provide exceptional customer service to internal and external customers in a professional manner and mentor others to do the same.
• Build working relationships to solve problems and achieve common goals.
• Work effectively with a wide range of constituencies.
• Express thoughts clearly verbally, in writing, and through presentations.
• Develop, execute, measure, and continuously improve procurement effectiveness.
• Travel within Virginia and the United States as needed (less than 10%).

Minimum Qualifications

• Experience in leading, supervising, and positively motivating a team.
• Experience resolving stakeholder issues and facilitating conflict resolution.
• Experience leading the implementation and execution of continuous‑improvement opportunities.
• Current Virginia Contracting Officer (VCO) certification or ability to obtain Virginia Contracting Associate (VCA) within one year of hire and VCO within two years. See Virginia procurement certification information for details.

Additional Considerations

• Proven experience in analyzing procurement data to develop and implement process improvements.
• Purchasing experience in the private or public sector.
• Experience using MS Office products and/or Adobe Acrobat Pro.

Additional Information

• Hybrid telework available.
• Sponsorship will not be offered for this position.
• The selected candidate’s offer is contingent upon successful completion of a criminal background investigation, which may include fingerprint checks, local agency checks, employment verification, education verification, and credit checks relevant to employment.
• Selected candidates may be required to complete the Commonwealth’s Statement of Economic Interest. More information: Virginia Ethics Board.